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March, Women's History Month

Women's History Month grew out of Women's History Week, which was inspired by International Women's Day. Every March, since 1911, members of the international community have observed International Women's Day. Now held on March 8 every year, it is a day to talk about the status of women throughout the world, highlight women's issues, celebrate women's progresses, and consider the obstacles that still remain.

In 2010, groups of women from Congo and Rwanda met each other on a bridge connecting their two countries. There was a war between the two countries that ended in 2003 but left a legacy of tension and conflict. The women met to show that they could bridge their differences and build a better future together.  

Their demonstration inspired groups around the world to hold International Women's Day events on bridges to symbolize the progress, determination, and spirit of international community.  

In our area, there will be a walk across the Walkway Over the Hudson. Festivities will begin at 2:30, March 8 and include speakers, booths, and activities. The Poughkeepsie Branch of AAUW is participating in the walk and planning a lunch program at the Mid-Hudson Heritage Center. They have asked us to take part with them.

Tying It All Together

The March program for the branch will be a panel discussion on development and women's issues around the world. This program will pull together and expand upon the knowledge and information our branch will gain from all of the upcoming events. It will be an opportunity to explore issues that may be on the fringe of our consciousnesses and learn from experts in the field.

I hope to start a discussion that will inspire us to action. This event will give us a more complete picture of women's issues around the world, enabling us to identify those issues that we are most passionate about. Going forward, I hope to have the members who are interested in continuing the discussion, learning more, and taking action join the International Committee.

In the meantime, if there are any subjects or regions that anyone is especially curious about, please contact me and I will try my best to find a panel member who can address that topic. Also, if anyone is interested in helping me plan and recruit panelists, I would greatly appreciate your help and input.

Jenn Mayfield 

by Susan Holland, Chair   

Our Public Policy program this month will be Sunday morning, Feb 5, 11am. 

Women, War, and Peace- A discussion of Parts 4 & 5, at Irene Miller's in Palenville.  We'll watch the documentary and talk over a dutch-treat lunch. This is an excellent series that generated a lot of interesting discussion at our two previous meetings. Join us on 1/28!  More info:  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/   

RSVP Irene Miller, 518-878-3516 or imiller65@hvc.rr.com. If you'd like to carpool from Kingston, let Ruth Wahtera know.   

Money in Politics - At the AAUW NYS Convention in April, Irene Miller will give a talk on Clean Elections vs. Money in Politics - How corporations got personhood and the right to fund campaigns; how campaign money affects women, our schools, health, environment, economy. etc; how Clean Elections works to restore the power of our vote over money; and what you and AAUW can do to help make this happen.  

Off the Sidelines - If you like reading about issues and stories important to women, Senator Gillibrand's Off the Sidelines website is starting a virtual bookclub. Read more about it on our blog.   

From Dolores LaChance, LAF Chair   

Third Tuesday,  1 PM

Kingston Library, Story Hour Room for Feb. & March    

(For a printable version click here.) 

This novel spans the life of Aminata Diallo, born in Bayo, West Africa, in 1745. Kidnapped at the age of 11 by British slavers, Aminata does what she can to free herself and others from slavery, including learning to read and teaching others to.

March 20 The Diaries of Sofia Tolstoy edited by Cathy Porter

Sofia was 19 and innocent when her new husband, Leo Tolstoy, 34, handed her his sexually candid diary. Smart and determined, she took refuge in her own diary, chronicling her daunting life as the wife of the self-absorbed genius.

April 17 When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

...tells one Japanese American family's story of internment in a Utah enemy alien camp during World War II. This novel is written in deceptively tranquil prose, a distillation of injustice, anger, and poetry.

May 15 Olive Kittredge by Elizabeth Strout

Thirteen li{ked tales present a heart-wrenching, penetrating portrait of ordinary coastal Mainers living lives of quiet grief intermingled with flashes of human connection.

June 19 Shannon by Frank Delaney

Delaney's novel follows an American priest as he travels along Ireland's Shannon River in search of his family roofs, and while it's peace he seeks, trouble finds him.

The Kingston Branch is very excited to host a screening of the award-winning film, Miss Representation at the Rosendale Theatre Collective on March 7, 2012. The film examines portrayals of women and girls in the media, assesses the limited diversity of women's roles, and women's under-representation in most media streams. It critically analyzes the ways that this misrepresentation of women and girls in the media impacts women and girl in the real world.  

Following the film, the audience is invited to participate in a panel discussion of women with careers in media.

Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film features interviews with a diverse selection of public figures, including, for example Katey Couric, Corey Booker, Geena Davis, Condoleeza Rice, and Rosario Dawson. To learn more about the movie and its message, visit http://www.missrepresentation.org/ 

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase here.