News and Features

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AAUW-MA is a sponsor of LAUNCH--moving ideas to the next level, which parallels AAUW’s goal to promote STEM education. On Friday, April 9, 2010, 11:00AM-4:30PM, LAUNCH will bring together innovative thinkers who want to learn how to develop and protect their ideas and individuals and organizations that promote STEM Literacy for people of all ages. The STEM Literacy conversation will continue on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the AAUW-MA Convention, 9:00-1:00PM featuring Andresse St. Rose, Ed. D., AAUW Research Associate who will speak about AAUW’s newest report, Why so few: Women in science, technology, engineering and math. LAUNCH and the AAUW-MA Spring Conference will be held at Bristol Community College in Attleboro.

 

The Northeastern Girls Collaborative currently has its mini-grant application window open. Please consider a K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Project or program that might benefit from collaborating with others.  Visit the National Girls Collaborative Project Website for the link to the Grant Application Form.  The Northeastern Girls Collaborative is also exploring future programs/goals to collaborate with.  If you have any specific ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact Kim Edgar.
 

AAUW victim of fraud.  Take Action.

 

Patricia Ho named a 2009 Massachusetts Unsung Herione.  Read nomination written by Liz Fragola, AAUW-MA President-Elect.

 

AAUW Community Action Grants provide seed money to individual women, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations and local

community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs to promote education and equity for women and girls.  Deadline for applications is January 15, 2010.

 

Branches are encouraged to use the Member Showcase Calendar on the AAUW website to post programs, meetings and events.

 

Linda Hallman, AAUW Executive Director, outlines efforts for working women and their families during the economic recovery. 

See On Lincoln, AAUW and Economic Recovery

 

Visit AAUW Dialog for the latest blog postings

 

AAUW Current Topics Briefing Series

 

View the AAUW Mission video on YouTube!

 

AAUW Gains Special Consultative Status with U.N. Council

 

AAUW Educational Foundation releases latest study, Where the Girls Are:  The Facts About Gender Equity in Education. 

Read the Executive Summary.

 

View a video clip from "The Truth About Boys and Girls" a special feature on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams

View the longer NBC interview with Catherine Hill, AAUW Director of Research

 

AAUW members across the country are acting as Regional Liaisons for the National Girls Collaborative Project.

 

The AAUW Educational Foundation is celebrating 50 years of breaking through barriers for women and girls.

 

AAUW celebrates its 125th anniversary

 

AAUW Media Guide: Resource for finding and contacting national and local media

 

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AAUW Gains Special Consultative Status with U.N. Council

 

WASHINGTON – AAUW has gained special consultative status at the United Nations with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which initiates reports, makes recommendations, and promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

 

For many years, AAUW has had a U.N. representative attending select meetings and monitoring issues affecting women and girls. The new designation allows AAUW to participate in international conferences, sign on to NGO statements, and share AAUW’s expertise.

 

“We closely follow a variety of international issues ranging from girls’ education to women’s economic security to human rights to women in peacekeeping,” said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. “This new status will strengthen AAUW’s presence globally and provide us with greater opportunities to engage in U.N.-related activities and initiatives that break through barriers for women and girls.”

 

AAUW has a proud history in global affairs that includes awarding more than 2,200 international fellowships to women from more than 130 countries and partnering with leading international humanitarian organizations on initiatives to empower women.

 

Next year, AAUW will actively advocate for women at the 53rd session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, which will focus on the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS.

 

“AAUW can now advocate more effectively and support policies aimed at strengthening gender equality, especially in the areas of the economic, social, political, and reproductive health rights of women and girls,” said Carolyn Donovan, AAUW’s U.N. representative.

 

Currently, AAUW is encouraging its branches to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10 and to continue supporting ratification of the women’s rights treaty—the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

 

“AAUW members have long supported our efforts, from hosting international visitors to initiating forums and symposia on global issues pertinent to women and girls,” said Gloria L. Blackwell, AAUW’s director of fellowships, grants, and international programs. “We are thrilled that our role is expanding.”

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Nomination of Patricia Ho for

Unsung Heroine of Massachusetts 2009

 

 

It is an honor for me to nominate Patricia Ho for the 2009 Unsung Heroine of Massachusetts award.   Patricia’s outstanding contributions on behalf of women and girls make her a most worthy recipient.  For the past ten years she has invested herself full-time to volunteering for organizations and causes which improve women’s health, education, and equal rights.  She is well known in North Shore communities for her skill as leader and is admired by her friends and acquaintances as a caring and compassionate person.

 

For the past six years, Patricia has served on the Board of Directors for Health Quarters, Inc. of Massachusetts, where she is now president.  As president of the board, she uses her fundraising acumen to increase the assets of the organization.    Patricia applies her considerable intelligence, compassion, and drive to make things happen by cultivating financial donations, presiding over policy making, and recruiting new board members.  Undaunted by the challenge of this position, Patricia uses her outside-the-box vision to drive new strategic planning.

 

Patricia has been a very active member of the American Association of University Women, (AAUW) for the past nine years.  She has served as local branch president and as state president.  She is currently the New England Regional Director and on the national board of directors for AAUW, an organization that “advances equity for all women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.”  Patricia works persistently for the AAUW mission by taking a leadership role on the local and national level.  She serves as an inspiration to others by her unwavering commitment to leveling the playing field for all women regardless of economic, racial, or ethnic background.  As an AAUW leader, she has forged coalitions in the community with Girls, Inc., the YWCA, and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.  Anyone in her presence is immediately put at ease by her warm and friendly manner.  She gets things done by motivating others: the mark of a true leader.

 

Patricia’s leadership ability has been recognized by other organizations.  For her volunteerism with the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, as an ESOL tutor, she received their Founder’s Award in 2002.  Again, for outstanding contributions to the community, she received the New England Patriots Community Service Award in 2003.  This recognition spurred her on to continue her work to improve the lives of women and their families.  In addition to serving as board president for Health Quarters and Regional Director for AAUW, Patricia is the vice-chair of the Board of Overseers for the Peabody Essex Museum, where she is also a docent.  Not only does she sit on boards, but she does the hands-on work of a volunteer.

 

Patricia Ho has lived her life with a commitment to service for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves.  She believes in giving back and does so with generosity and spirit.  Although she may not be known to many, her work has benefitted countless women, through the essential health services provided by Health Quarters, to ESOL tutoring, to advocating for equal pay and access to education through AAUW.  Those of us who know her recognize her as a woman of integrity, intelligence, and compassion, a winning combination for recognition as an Unsung Heroine of Massachusetts. 

 

Submitted by Elizabeth Fragola, North Shore Area Branch, AAUW-MA

February 19, 2009

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