NOVEMBER MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Greetings Merced AAUW!

If you missed our “an Evening with District Attorney Nicole Silveira” event, you missed a great discussion! DA Silveira guided us through the many pro-active programs she has initiated to support and guide teens, families, and women. These programs are an effort to head off tragic outcomes before they end up in court – or worse.

As she spoke about the “One Pill Will Kill” (fentanyl) campaign, I gazed at the faces of members in attendance. What I saw was concern – concern for our grandchildren – our children – our extended family – our friends. As DA Silveira said, “Fentanyl is the equal opportunity killer”. It would be good for us to follow Nicole’s example and find out how best to talk with our loved ones about its dangers. And yet despite the heaviness of the topics, DA Nicole’s positive attitude and pro-active approach left us with a sense of HOPE.

On November 2nd AAUW joined the League of Women Voters and the Atwater-Merced Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for our “Get-Out-The-Vote” tailgate party. Hot dogs, lawn games, and the Bear Creek Ukulele group provided voters with good cheer as they turned in their ballots. We did our part for democracy – AAUW.

Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for one of our most popular events:

The HOLIDAY TEA – DECEMBER 8th – 3-5 pm
- Host: Sharon Spinardi – 3503 Vernal Court
- Last names A – M: it’s your turn to provide cookies! Wear a hat! Bring your teacup!
- Requested donations: small packages of large -sized diapers, pull-ups, and/or baby wipes.
- Payment for March 29th Yosemite trip bus tickets is due: $25 the 62 years+ members – $45 for younger members (YARTS prices)

AAUW’s mission is to “advance gender equality for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy”. In support of this mission, please join us for our upcoming event in January!

On January 21st we’ll have a presentation by Dr Julia Alvarez regarding the UC MERCED MEDICAL EDUCATION department. Current students in the cohort (many of whom are young women) will be the focus. We’ll be meeting at the Mondo building again.

At this time – as never before – we must all do our part to support the girls and young women of our community – and each other. Let’s come together at the Holiday Tea and celebrate a season of peace and joy.

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