Salisbury Branch AAUW

Rowan Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, NC

February 11, 2016

Members present were:  Ruby Walker, Becky Hammill, Kathy Pulliam, Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Dr. Patricia Trueblood, Dr. Catrelia Hunter, Vincia Miller and Dr. Carol Cody

Guests were:  Ed Hanson-Kelly, Gloria Hause, Allison Creswell

Dr. Carol Cody, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for attending. She turned the meeting over to Becky Hammill who introduced our speaker Janet Spriggs, CFO of RCCC.

Janet gave such an interesting and informative speech about women in education with a power point presentation that it would take several pages to get all she said written down. I am going to just list some important facts that she gave to the group and I hope if you have the opportunity to hear her speak you will attend.

1. There are 59 community colleges in NC and can provide access to education within 30 minutes of your home. RCCC has 5 campuses serving 21,000+ students with the average age 27, 99.4% from NC, 56% part-time students, 63% female and offering degrees, diplomas and certificates.
2. Many women have changed lives in education throughout the years. In Colonial America Mary Lyon was instrumental in this cause as well as Phillis Wheatley, the first Black woman to write a book in America. Services to women during this period were Dame Schools, Quakers & Moravians believing in education for both genders, and the first female academy in Philadelphia.
3. In the 1800’s secondary education had rapid growth including specific things that related to women. Some of those were Godey’s Lady’s Book edited by Sarah Josepha Hale, Vassar College opening as well as Mt. Holyoke and Oberlin providing ladies courses that were comparable to men’s courses.
4. Co-education began in earnest in the 1900’s with schools such as Iowa and Wisconsin yet the stigma remained that women would be hurt by an education such as become more masculine or harm the reproductive system. Yet, progress continued and teacher’s organizations were founded in colleges like Radcliffe, Brown, and Harvard. The American Federation of Teachers was organized to promote better working conditions for female teachers. The African-American community also improved education with the ideals of prominent leaders like WEB DuBois and Booker T. Washington, who were passionate to make things better.
5. In 1955, Autherine Lucy was the first African-American to desegerate the University of Alabama and did receive her MA in 1992. Title IX was established in 1972 and was the first broad civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination. With this law female attendance soared in colleges and universities.
6. Now in the 2000’s more American women than men have college degrees. There is more diversity in colleges and the number of women presidents is about 32%. While improvements have been made there is the need to continue to be diligent about women in education. Janet ended her talk with a quote from Malala Yousafzai,” Let us pick up our books and our pencils. They are our most powerful weapon. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”

Business:  The minutes of the January meeting were approved. A motion by Dr. Patricia Trueblood and seconded by Becky Hammill was made to accept the minutes as corrected.

Treasurer’s Report- Eileen Hanson Kelly reported that there is a total of $3,423.97 in checking and $2,013.41 in the CD making our total $5,437.38.

NCCSWL- We have received two applications and it was suggested that we approve these 2 ladies. Eileen will check on the payment as the students register themselves. Carol will be in touch to notify them.

Programs-

The March meeting will be a Brunch to raise funds for the NCCWSL scholarship at FUCC at 9:00 am on Saturday March 12^th. Dr. Truebloiod reported that she had received a call from Congresswoman Alma Adams’ office that she would be able to speak at the brunch. Due to not hearing from the congresswoman’s office for a number of weeks, Dr. Trueblood had contacted East Spencer Mayor Barbara Mallett to speak and she had agreed. It was decided that Dr. Trueblood follow up the call from Congresswoman Alma Adams and we would have both women speak. We had several catering choices but it was decided to go with Debbie Suggs at $7.00 per person. Becky Hammill and Dr. Judy Grissom are the hostesses and it was felt it would be best to set up at FUCC the day before. Eileen would check into this as well as reservations. This is our NCCSWL fund raiser for the scholarships.

There was still interest to have the Unequal Bake Sale at the First Friday event in Downtown Salisbury on April 1^st.  Vincia Miller said she would get another contact from Livingstone College.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Pulliam, Secretary

Salisbury Branch AAUW

First United Church of Christ

207 W. Horah Street

Salisbury, NC

January 14, 2016

Members present were:

Ruby Walker, Dr. Kathy Taber-Meier, Kathy Pulliam, Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Rev. Carol Hallman, Vincia Miller and Dr. Carol Cody

Guests were:

Ed Hanson-Kelly,

Dr. Carol Cody, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting. She welcomed Vincia Miller who is replacing Dr. Kathryn Moland from Livingstone College, our college affiliate.

Business: The minutes of the November meeting were approved. A motion by Dr. Carol Cody and seconded by Eileen Hanson-Kelly was made to accept the minutes as accepted.

Treasurer’s and Financial Report- Eileen Hanson-Kelly reported that there is a total of $3,432.47 in checking and $2,013.41in the CD making our total $5,445.88. She had written a check for $135.00 for the Goldman Scholars Christmas gifts of Downtown Dollars but the check was voided due to Downtown Salisbury giving each scholar $10.00. A check of $45.00 was written which gave the scholars an additional $5.00.

Membership- Eileen reported that we have a new student member who joined online. Her name is Jessica Holt from Albemarle, NC and she is a student at NCSU. She will graduate in May. Eileen also said a new member of the Book Club, Cynthia Randleman is interested in joining our Branch. She is a retired librarian. Eileen reminded members that someone may join now for $12.25 if they attend a public function as local dues are waved and we will pay state dues.

NCCSWL- We have received one application and will put an ad in the newspaper to see if anyone else is interested. Early registration is April 1.

By-Laws/Policies- This position needs to be filled as Dr. Phyllis Post needs to drop it due to work commitments. Carol asked if anyone in attendance was interested.

Education/LAF- Kathy Pulliam reported that STEM continued to be a main emphasis for AAUW nationally. Rev. Carol Hallman reminded us all how girls continue to be stereotyped as not being able to do math.

Goldman Scholarship- Will be meeting later in the winter/spring to select scholars. Information about the Goldman Scholarship was shared with Vincia.

Public Policy- Eileen reported on the Get Out the Vote campaign. A webinar concerning this was held on January 13^th to provide information on AAUW issues as well as ways to get more women to the polls as informed voters. Eileen gave out info sheets to help make this campaign a success.

Publicity- Dr. Kathy Taber-Meier stated that she needs info for the next two meetings so she can get it to the Salisbury Post.

Programs- The next meeting will be February 11, 2016 at Rowan Cabarrus Community College with Janet Spriggs CFO of RCCC and she will speak on Women in Education. She is replacing Dr. Carol Spalding who was unable to attend. Discussion occurred as to who would be a contact source at RCCC to get the info about the meeting out to the students there.

The March meeting will be a Brunch to raise funds for the NCCWSL scholarship at FUCC on 9:00 am Saturday March 12^th. Eileen has tried to contact Debbie Suggs about the catering but has been unsuccessful. Vincia said she would check with the chef at Hood Theological Seminary and perhaps the Culinary Arts program at Livingstone College to see if they would be interested and their costs. We would also want to invite our Goldman Scholars to attend.  Carol stated that all details needed to be confirmed by the February Meeting.

April 12^th will be the joint meeting with the Book Club at Trinity Oaks with Dixie Scott and Ann Medlin as hostesses. May will be the Annual Business Meeting with the Budget presented as well as a slate of officers for the upcoming terms.

Equal Pay Day- A conference call was held on January 13^th to discuss ways to emphasize this. Some suggestions were: voter guides, an Unequal Bake Sale, equal pay media events, and advocacy at AAUW gatherings. The idea of a Bake Sale held during a First Friday Night in Downtown Salisbury interested people. Carol said we would discuss this further.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Pulliam, Secretary