In today’s update:

• Period Product Drive
• Stand Up Against Discrimination – Support the Equality Act
• Upcoming Events

Period Product Drive

FORGE (Feminist Organization Rallying for Gender Equity) received a Bowling Green Community Foundation grant to tackle period poverty on campus and in our community. On top of the grant, they are collecting menstrual products which will be used to make period kits. Kits will be distributed on campus and people will not have to prove need to get a kit. Any remaining kits will be donated to the Cocoon and the Brown Bag Food Project.

If you would like to donate period products, please drop them off in the box outside of Hayes Hall 280 or contact Megan McDonnell (mmcdonn@bgsu.edu) for a pick up. You can also contact Megan if you would like to make a monetary donation or have questions.

Stand Up Against Discrimination – Support the Equality Act

Equality means including all people. America’s civil rights laws should reflect that promise and protect everyone. That’s why it’s critical that Congress pass the Equality Act, which would amend existing federal civil rights laws to provide explicit protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in a number of key areas.

Urge your U.S. Senators to solidify protections against discrimination by supporting the Equality Act!

Upcoming Events

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming AAUW or community events!

AAUW Ohio Northeast and Northwest District Conference – April 24, 9:30am-12:30pm, online event

• Save the date! Registration details will be posted on the AAUW Ohio website when available.

Cocktails and Convos: Rodham: A Novel – April 29, 6-7pm, Zoom

• Register now to attend an online discussion of Rodham: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld. Join the discussion (even if you didn’t start or finish the book)! Cocktails optional!

In today’s update:

• 2021-23 Branch Board of Directors
• Vote in AAUW National’s Annual Art Contest
• Tell Congress: Crisis Relief Can’t Wait!
• NCCWSL 2021: A Virtual Experience for Young Leaders
• Upcoming Events

2021-23 Branch Board of Directors

The Nominating Committee presents the following slate of candidates for the 2021-23 AAUW Bowling Green Branch Board of Directors:

• President: Naykishia Head
• Co-Vice Presidents for Membership: Carol Heckman and John Zibbel
• Co-Vice Presidents for Programming: Deborah Wooldridge, Lynn Huber, and Susy Sadoff Obee
• Co-Secretaries: Pam Betchtel and Kristina N. LaVania
• Treasurer: Laura Waggoner Arnold

A voice vote will be taken during the Branch’s Annual Business Meeting and 39th Annual Awards on March 13 at 10am. Register to attend.

Thank you to Marlise Rene Lonn, Vivian Jean Miller, Susan Sadoff Obee, and Deborah Gay Wooldridge for serving on the Nominating Committee.

Vote in AAUW National’s Annual Art Contest

AAUW National received more than 400 submissions to this year’s art contest! Through March 3, members can weigh in on their 10 favorites. Make sure to vote for “Rain make the flowers grow” by Branch member Susan Sadoff Obee.

The six winning entries will be featured on a collection of AAUW note cards mailed to members this spring.

Tell Congress: Crisis Relief Can’t Wait!

With more than 30 million cases of COVID-19 and 500,000 dead, our nation needs help now.

Key emergency protections are set to expire by March 14, and many national safety concerns have yet to be addressed. As crisis relief negotiations continue, we must make sure that our elected officials hear us loud and clear: you have been elected to serve during a crisis, now do your job and pass a comprehensive relief bill.

Contact your elected official in the U.S. House of Representatives today.

From AAUW Action Network

NCCWSL 2021: A Virtual Experience for Young Leaders

This year, hundreds of college women from around the country will gather for two days of virtual leadership training, inspiration and networking at our annual National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). Learn more about this exciting online event on May 25-26, 2021.

From AAUW Mission and Action

Upcoming Events

Asian American and Pacific Islander Equal Pay Day – March 9

• Asian American and Pacific Islander women are paid 85 cents for every dollar paid to white men.

Annual Business Meeting and 39th Annual Awards – March 13, 10am-11:30am, Zoom

• Register now to join the Branch’s annual business meeting including the election of new officers and the presentation of the 39th Annual Awards.

Cocktails and Convos: Daisy Jones & The Six – March 18, 6-7pm, Zoom

• Register to attend an online discussion of Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Come and join the discussion (even if you didn’t start or finish the book)!

Equal Pay Day (for all women compared to all men) – March 24

• Women working full time and year round are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to a man who works full time and year round.

In today’s update:

• Annual Business Meeting and 39th Annual Awards
• Great Decisions 2021
• February Cocktails & Convos: Such a Fun Age
• Take Action: Paycheck Fairness Act
• Upcoming Events

Annual Business Meeting and 39th Annual Awards

Register now to join the Branch’s annual business meeting and 39th Annual Awards on March 13 from 10am-11:30am.

During the meeting the Branch will elect a new President, Program Vice President, Membership Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you are interested in serving in one of these roles, please contact Susan Sadoff Obee (ssadoff@bgsu.edu).

The Branch will also present the Annual Awards in the following categories:

• Outstanding Branch Member
• Outstanding Community Leader
• Outstanding Emerging Leader
• Outstanding Emerging Student Leader
• Outstanding Educator

To nominate a person for an award, please return the Annual Awards Nomination Form to ssadoff@bgsu.edu no later than February 22, 2021.

Register now to attend the Annual Business Meeting and 39th Annual Awards.

Great Decisions 2021

Saturdays, January 23 – February 27 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. via Zoom led by BGSU University Professors

• Registration required. Zoom login information will be provided upon registration. Register with the WCCOA Programs Department at 419.353.5661 or 800.367.4935 or email programs@wccoa.net
• A limited number of manuals are available for purchase. If interested, please reserve when registering for the series. Advanced payment of $32 is required to place your manual order.

Topic Descriptions:

• January 23: Roles of International Organizations in a Global Pandemic led by Dr. Arpen Yagnek, Penn State – The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust the World Health Organization (WHO) into the limelight, for better and for worse. While some of the Trump administration’s criticism of the organization is unfair, the response to the early stages of the pandemic left many experts wanting more from the WHO. What is the WHO’s role in responding to international pandemics? What can be done to improve the WHO’s response to future global health crises?
• January 30: China’s Role in Africa led by Kefa Otiso, BGSU – The COVID-19 crisis has put a massive strain on what was a growing positive economic and political relationship between China and the continent of Africa. As Chinese President Xi Jinping’s centerpiece “Belt and Road initiative” continues to expand Chinese power, the response to the spread of COVID-19, as well as the African government’s growing debt to China, has seen pushback. What are some of the growing economic and political issues between China and Africa?
• February 6: Persian Gulf Security Issues led by Dr. Marc Simon, BGSU – The Persian Gulf remains tense as the rivalry between the regional powers of Saudi Arabia and Iran continues. Tensions escalated in early 2020 as the United States began to intervene in the Gulf, launching an airstrike that killed two Iranian military commanders. What are the historical influences that have led to these tensions? What role, if any, should the United States play? Is using military force a viable foreign policy option for 2021 and beyond?
• February 13: Struggles Over the Melting Arctic led by Dr. Shannon Orr, BGSU – U.S. President Donald Trump left many scratching their heads when it was rumored that he was looking to purchase the large island nation of Greenland from Denmark. While any potential deal seems highly unlikely, the event shows the changing opinion within the U.S. government toward engagement with the Arctic region. Because of climate change, large sheets of arctic ice are melting, exposing vast stores of natural gas and oil. With Russia and China already miles ahead with their Arctic strategies, can the U.S. catch up?
• February 20: The End of Globalization? led by Dr. Doug Forsyth, BGSU – As the United States enters another election season, the merits and drawbacks of globalization are again being debated by the presidential candidates. With the passing of the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s America First doctrine, protectionist policies have become more prevalent, challenging globalization. What is globalization and how will it be affected by protectionist trade policies? How will the United States and the world be affected by such policies? Is globalization really at an end, or in need of a refresh?
• February 27: Brexit and the European Union led by Dr. Arpen Yagnek, Penn State – With the “Brexit transition period” coming to an end this year, the United Kingdom will formally leave the European Union at the start of 2021. With negotiations between the two entities continuing to stall, what does the future of Europe and the UK look like? Will the UK survive a possible Scottish vote to leave? Who will step up and take command of Europe now that Angela Merkel is out the spotlight?

This series is co-sponsored by: American Association of University Women & WCCOA, Inc.

February Cocktails & Convos: Such a Fun Age

We hope to see you at our next online discussion of Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. It’s open to all Branch and community members (even if you didn’t start or finish the book). Cocktails optional!

February 18 from 6-7pm
Register to attend

Take Action: Paycheck Fairness Act

As the 117th Congress takes on the great many challenges facing the American people during this historic time, we must ensure that the fight to close the gender pay gap is a key priority. Women working full time in the United States are typically paid just 82% of what men are paid, and the gap is even wider for many women of color.

AAUW has worked for decades to enact the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would update the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and give us important tools to close the pervasive pay gap. The House of Representatives passed the legislation with bipartisan support during the 116th Congress, but it stalled in the Senate. This year, both chambers must act to send this critical bill to President Biden’s desk, so it can finally become federal law.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would:

• Prohibit employers from relying on salary history to set wages.
• Close loopholes that have weakened the law over time to allow employers to justify paying workers unfairly.
• Create more robust remedies for those who have suffered discrimination.
• Prevent employers from retaliating against workers who discuss or disclose their wages.
• Provide much needed training and technical assistance, as well as data collection and research.

Your elected officials need to hear from you today about this important bill. Tell them to co-sponsor and quickly pass the Paycheck Fairness Act once it is reintroduced in this Congress!

From AAUW Mission & Action

Upcoming Events

Asian-American Women’s Equal Pay Day – February 11

• Asian-American women are paid 90 cents for every dollar paid to white men. Learn more about race and the pay gap.

Cocktails & Convos – February 18, 6-7pm, Zoom

• Register to attend an online discussion of Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Come and join the discussion (even if you didn’t start or finish the book)! Cocktails optional!

Annual Business Meeting and 39th Annual Awards – March 13, 10am-11:30am, Zoom

• Register now to join the Branch’s annual business meeting including the election of new officers and the presentation of the 39th Annual Awards.

In today’s update:

• Happy New Year
• Updated Branch Bylaw
• AAUW National’s New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
• Coming Soon: AAUW National Art Contest
• Upcoming Events

Happy New Year!

Wishing you health and happiness in the coming year!

Updated Branch Bylaws

Thank you to all of the members who voted to approve the new branch bylaws. The updated version is available on our website (PDF).

Check Out AAUW National’s New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources

AAUW National’s new Diversity, Equity & Inclusion toolkit includes dozens of resources to help AAUW members and others to celebrate their differences and incorporate inclusive practices into their everyday lives. These tools can help you lead branch workshops and further your own learning. There are sections defining key terms and concepts, exploring dimensions of diversity, and giving advice on how to start difficult conversations.

The toolkit was developed by AAUW’s Inclusion & Equity Committee, which is led by Committee Chair Dr. Lisette Garcia and AAUW Chief Administrative Officer Sheila Amo. For more information, watch the recent webinar about how to engage with these resources, and stay tuned for more how-to sessions in 2021. Follow-up webinars will be scheduled in February and April.

From AAUW Mission & Action

Coming Soon: AAUW National Art Contest

Are you a passionate painter? Skillful sketch artist? Phenomenal photographer? Get ready to show off your talent by submitting to AAUW National’s 12th annual art contest! They are accepting entries January 6 through February 3, so mark your calendar. And if you’re more critic than artist, get set to vote on the best entries starting Feb. 10.

From AAUW Mission & Action

Upcoming Events

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming AAUW or community events!

AAUW Ohio Coffee and Convos Book Discussions – January 16, 10am, online event

• The ways that race, class, motherhood, and belonging intersect to shape each individual—nonfictional book. Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng 2019
• Register online

AAUW Ohio Coffee and Convos Book Discussions – Save the date for these other state-wide upcoming events:

• Saturday, February 20th – Women and Leadership. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, Caroline Criado Perez 2019
• Saturday, March 20th – Working across the generations. OK Boomer, Let’s Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind, Jill Filipovic 2020
• Registration is not yet open but will be posted on the AAUW Ohio website when available

In today’s update:

• Vote on Proposed Changes to Branch Bylaws by December 5
• Call for Nominating Committee Members
• Sobering Stats on Black and Latina Pay Gaps
• Upcoming Events

Vote on Proposed Changes to Branch Bylaws by December 5

The Branch’s Board of Directors is proposing five changes to the bylaws. Each change is explained on the voting form and you can read the entirety of the bylaws with proposed changes online.

Please vote on the changes by December 5, 2020. Changes must be approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership. Thank you for voting!

Call for Nominating Committee Members

At the Branch’s annual meeting in March 2021 (exact date TBD), we must elect a new president, vice president of membership, vice president of program, secretary, and treasurer. Elected positions serve two year terms starting on July 1, 2021.

In order to elect new officers:

• The Board of Directors appoints 4 members to the Nominating Committee at least two months prior to the election and the committee serves until the elections are complete.
• The nominating committee will be charged with preparing a list of nominees to be presented at least two weeks before the election.
• Nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the election, provided written consent of the nominee has been obtained.
• All members of the Branch will have the opportunity to vote by electronic ballot during the annual meeting.

If you would like to serve on the nominating committee, please email bowlinggreen-oh@aauw.net by December 19, 2020. Thank you!

Sobering Stats on Black and Latina Pay Gaps

According to a recent update of AAUW’s “The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap” report, the wage gaps for Black women and Latinas are not only wider than the gap for white women, but are projected to take more than eight times longer to close. The pandemic has only compounded these inequities. Get the facts and take action to drive change.

From AAUW Mission & Action Newsletter

Upcoming Events

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming AAUW or community events!

Community Reads: So You Want To Talk About Race – December 7, January 11, variety of times, online event

• The City of BG Human Relations Commission invites you to join in our Community Reads: So You Want To Talk About Race, By Ijeoma Oluo. This is an opportunity for all members of the BG Community to engage in compelling literature that invites empathetic learning and meaningful, constructive dialogue about racism and how to deal with racial injustices and biases.
• The book discussion will occur over three sessions: November 9, December 7, and January 11, with one section of the book discussed at each session. To accommodate busy schedules, a variety meeting times are offered.
• Registration is required. Register online or call the Wood County District Public Library at 419-352-5050.

AAUW Ohio Coffee and Convos Book Discussions – Save the date for these upcoming events:

• Saturday, January 16th – The ways that race, class, motherhood, and belonging intersect to shape each individual—nonfictional book. Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng 2019
• Saturday, February 20th – Women and Leadership. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, Caroline Criado Perez 2019
• Saturday, March 20th – Working across the generations. OK Boomer, Let’s Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind, Jill Filipovic 2020
• Registration is not yet open but will be posted on the AAUW Ohio website when available

In today’s update:

• It’s Time to VOTE
• Tell Congress to Pass the HEROES Act
• Applications for AAUW National 2021–22 Fellowships and Grants Now Open
• Wealth of Webinars from AAUW National
• Upcoming Events

It’s Time to VOTE

Tuesday, November 3 is the last day to vote! Make a plan. Make your voice heard.

If you requested an absentee ballot:

• If you didn’t return it yet, do it today! Learn more about returning by mail or in person.
  • Return in person – the county board of elections must receive your ballot no later than 7:30 pm on November 3. You can use the drop box outside the Wood County Courthouse main entrance or take it inside and drop it off in the office.
  • Return by mail – your ballot must be postmarked no later than the day before Election Day and received by your county board of elections no later than 10 days after the election.
  • No ballots may be returned by fax or e-mail. If a voted ballot is returned by fax or e-mail, it will not be accepted, processed, or counted.
• If you already returned your ballot, track it to make sure it was accepted.
• If you do not vote your absentee ballot and instead decide to go to your assigned polling place on Election Day, you must vote a provisional ballot.

If you plan to vote in person:

• You can still participate in early voting at the Wood County Courthouse.
  • Early voting hours are Sunday, November 1 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and Monday, November 2 from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.
• If you plan to vote on Tuesday, November 3:
  • Double check your polling location to make sure you’re in the correct place.
  • If you are in line to vote when the scheduled closing time draws near, do not leave. The polling place cannot shut down until the last voter in line has cast their ballot.
  • If your name does not appear on the rolls, your ID is challenged, or there are other issues, request a provisional ballot.
• Ohio requires voter identification so remember to bring your ID with you.
• Be safe. Wear a mask, keep your distance from others, and do not touch your face or mask while in line or inside. If you expect to wait, bring a chair, food and weather-safe clothes. Consider having someone check on you to offer more supplies.

Voter suppression and voter intimidation are illegal. If you or your voting rights are challenged at the polls, document and report the problem. Call 866.OUR.VOTE (866.687.8683) as soon as you experience an issue.

Tell Congress to Pass the HEROES Act

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) passed the U.S. House on May 15, 2020, and would have helped Americans survive the ravages of the pandemic. In response, the U.S. Senate decided to “take a pause” on further stimulus spending.

That was 168 days ago — nearly six months. As of this week, the Senate has again left for recess without taking action. While the Senate abdicates their responsibility to the American people:

• Over 226,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19. There are currently more than 8.7 million confirmed cases, including over 792,000 cases among children—who now represent 11% of all cases in the country.
• Between August and September, 1.1 million workers ages 20 and over dropped out of the labor force. The vast majority of them – 865,000 – were women.
• Nearly 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty since May, bringing the total number of people in the U.S. living in poverty (i.e., a family of four earning $26,200 a year or less) to 55 million.

This catastrophe could have been avoided, but the Senate refused to do their jobs. AAUW is committed to advocating for the rights and protections of women and families during this time of extreme hardship. Congress must be, too. They must pass the HEROES Act now.

From AAUW Action Fund Washington Update

Applications for AAUW National 2021–22 Fellowships and Grants Now Open

Do you know any women pursuing postgraduate studies, furthering their careers, or working on a program to benefit women and girls? Point them to the fellowships and grants applications. Deadlines run from November to December.

From AAUW Mission and Action

Wealth of Webinars from AAUW National

After offering weekly webinars for many months, we’ve now built up an impressive library of content for members to explore at any time. You can peruse the archive of Equity Network webinars, which are focused on professional development and how to build equitable and inclusive workplaces. Or take a look at our 2020 member webinars, which range from interviews with notable Fellows to updates on your membership to tips on how to enhance your activism.

From AAUW Mission and Action

Upcoming Events

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming AAUW or community events!

Community Reads: So You Want To Talk About Race – November 9, December 7, January 11, variety of times, online event

• The City of BG Human Relations Commission invites you to join in our Community Reads: So You Want To Talk About Race, By Ijeoma Oluo. This is an opportunity for all members of the BG Community to engage in compelling literature that invites empathetic learning and meaningful, constructive dialogue about racism and how to deal with racial injustices and biases.
• The book discussion will occur over three sessions: November 9, December 7, and January 11, with one section of the book discussed at each session. To accommodate busy schedules, a variety meeting times are offered.
• Registration is required. Register online or call the Wood County District Public Library at 419-352-5050.

AAUW Ohio Coffee & Convos Book Discussion – November 14, 10-11am, online event

• AAUW Ohio presents monthly Coffee and Convos Book Discussions.
• Book Discussion led by AAUW Ohio Board Members, Marlene De La Cruz and Naykishia Head. This month book – The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennett, 2020
• Register to attend

AAUW BG Branch Cocktails & Convos: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – November 19, 6pm, online event

• Join us for an online discussion of Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Carmon and Knizhnik. Come and join the discussion (even if you didn’t start or finish the book)!
• Register now

In today’s update:

• Make a Plan to Vote
• Cocktails & Convos
• BGSU Public Impact Award Winners
• Fight for a Just and Fair Supreme Court
• Speak Up for Pregnant Workers
• Upcoming Events

Make a Plan to Vote

Make sure you, your friends, and your family are registered to vote and have a voting plan.

• Register to vote or update your voter registration
• Check your voter registration
• Request an absentee ballot
• Track your absentee ballot – The status ISSU means you will be issued a ballot

If you requested an absentee ballot, Ohio law only allows them to be mailed on or after October 6. You can return your absentee ballot by mail or at the drop box outside the Wood County Courthouse main entrance.

Cocktails & Convos

Be sure to register to get the Zoom link. Come and join the discussion (even if you didn’t start or finish the book)!

• October 17, 10am – How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Register now!
• November 19, 6pm – Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Carmon and Knizhnik. Register now!

BGSU Public Impact Award Winners

On September 15, the BGSU Center for Public Impact presented our Branch with the Organization Excellence Award. This award recognizes an organization or agency for its significant contributions as a community partner. We’re honored to win this award.

Jo Line, Graduate Assistant in the BGSU Center for Public Impact, presents Susy Sadoff Obee with AAUW’s award.

You can watch the virtual award ceremony online (skip to minute 8:44 for our award). Thank you to Susy Sadoff Obee for nominating our branch for this award.

Fight for a Just and Fair Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing is difficult to grieve when her final wish was immediately disregarded by the U.S. Senate. She led by example that the Supreme Court belongs to no political party, but rather to the American people. Her legacy of being a principled defender of justice has been left for us to continue. The future of our country rests on this crucial process.

Demand that your Senators fight for a just and fair Supreme Court.

From AAUW Action Network

Speak Up for Pregnant Workers

Since 1978, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act has been the best defense for pregnant people who face discrimination on the job based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. But many people who are pregnant still risk being forced out of the workplace simply for following doctors’ orders.

No one should face discrimination in the workplace because of a pregnancy. Urge your Senators to support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

From AAUW Action Network

Upcoming Events

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming AAUW or community events!

Candidates Forum – October 4, 7-9pm (doors open at 6:30pm), BGSU Bowen Thompson Student Union Ballroom and online option

• See the Candidates Forum 2020 flyer for details

AAUW Ohio Fall Summit Part 2 – October 10, 10am – 12pm

• Save the date for the 2nd part of the Fall Summit. Registration details coming soon
• Speakers include Professor Cynthia Anderson, Ohio University, Mayor Jennifer Lyle, Concord, Ohio, and financial advisor, Melissa Anderson

Cocktails & Convos: How to Be an Antiracist – October 17, 10am, Zoom

• Join us for an online discussion of How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Come and join the discussion (even if you didn’t start or finish the book)!
• Register now

Cocktails & Convos: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – November 19, 6pm, Zoom

• Join us for an online discussion of Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Carmon and Knizhnik. Come and join the discussion (even if you didn’t start or finish the book)!
• Register now

In today’s update:

• Are You Registered to Vote?
• BGSU Food Pantry Donation Request
• Extend the 2020 Census Deadline
• Applications for 2021–22 National Fellowships and Grants Now Open
• Upcoming Events
• Notice of Potential Dues Increase for AAUW National

Are You Registered to Vote?

The November 3 General Election is just 63 days away. The deadline to register to vote in Ohio is October 5. Check your voter registration or register to vote. You can also request your absentee ballot or sign up to be a poll worker.

BGSU Food Pantry Donation Request

Students in the Master of Public Administration program, in conjunction with Dr. Shannon Orr, are working to open a food pantry on the BGSU campus. The food pantry will partner with two regional food banks as the primary source of food. They are soliciting donations to purchase and provide personal hygiene items (pads, tampons, deodorant, etc) and items to support mothers or expecting mothers (baby formula, baby food, diapers, etc). Our branch will donate $250 to purchase items.

If you would like to support this project with a donation, please go to bgsu.edu/give. In Step 2, select the option to “designate your gift” and search for “Food Insecurity Support Fund.” In the notes section, please add that you are a AAUW Bowling Green Branch Member so that the money can be used for personal hygiene items and items for mothers. The food pantry is not able to accept donations of physical items at this time. They are planning a hygiene drive for 2021.

Please contact Sydney Downing (sdownin@bgsu.edu) with questions.

Extend the 2020 Census Deadline

The data collected during a census is used to inform congressional seats and the distribution of federal funding for vital services. In April, the Secretary of Commerce formally requested an extension of the statutory reporting deadlines to address challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. After initially receiving bipartisan support, the request has now been rejected by the White House. Urge your Senators to act to ensure that everyone is counted in the 2020 Census.

From AAUW Washington Update

Applications for 2021–22 National Fellowships and Grants Now Open

Do you know any women pursing postgraduate studies, furthering their careers, or working on a program to benefit women and girls? Point them to national’s fellowships and grants applications. Deadlines run from November to December.

From AAUW Mission & Action

Upcoming Events

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming AAUW or community events!

AAUW Ohio Fall Summit Kick off: Women’s Rights and Advocacy 100 years after Selective Suffrage – September 12, 10am – 12pm, online event

• Register for this Free Event

SEEN+HEARD: Conversations About Sexual Assault, Abuse and Rape – Open through September 25, Dorothy Uber Bryan & Red Door Galleries

• This exhibition features 16 powerful portrait series of men and women sharing details of sexual abuse and assault, photographed as they tell their stories by Cleveland area artist Honey Lazar, and accompanied by sound and video recordings of those stories.
• Learn more about the exhibit, new hours, and COVID-19 safety procedures.

AAUW BG Branch Fall Welcome and Outstanding Women Awards – September 26, 10:00-11:30am, online event

• Join us to learn more about branch events for the years and the winners of the 38th Annual Awards to Outstanding Women.
• Registration details to come

Candidates Forum – October 4, 7-9pm (doors open at 6:30pm), BGSU Bowen Thompson Student Union Ballroom and online option

• There will be a virtual component to this event if you do not want to attend in person. The in-person event will follow COVID-19 best practices. More details to come.
• Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Bowling Green (LWVBG), League of Women Voters Perrysburg Area (LWVPA), BGSU Votes, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Bowling Green Branch, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, and BGSU Retirees Association
• If you have questions about the event, please contact Ellen Dalton, Chair, Voter Services, LWVBG, 419-575-9159, edalton@bgsu.edu

AAUW Ohio Fall Summit Part 2 – October 10, 10am – 12pm

• Save the date for the 2nd part of the Fall Summit – more to come

Notice of Potential Dues Increase for AAUW National

The AAUW National Board of Directors will consider and vote on a change in Individual Member dues at their upcoming Board meeting on October 16, 2020. Any increase would take effect on July 1, 2021. The Board will consider two different options:
A. An increase to take effect on July 1, 2021, of an amount between $3 and $10.B. An increase to take effect on the 1st of July of each of the next three fiscal years of between $3 and $10 each year.

The selection of option A or B and the exact amount of the increase for the option chosen will be determined by the board at its October meeting. Any change to Individual Member dues will impact paid Life Membership as well, since AAUW’s bylaws require paid Life Membership to equal 20 years of annual dues. The Board is not considering a change to College/University Member dues at this time.

Membership dues cover between 15% and 20% of AAUW’s annual budget. While AAUW’s expenses increase annually, in recent years dues have not increased with enough regularity to keep pace with expenses. Increasing Individual Member dues will help AAUW cover more expenses, including important functions like the Connect team, critical technology and infrastructure such as the website and Member Services Database, and other member support.

Please send any comments regarding this dues increase to connect@aauw.org no later than Friday, September 25, 2020. All comments will be reviewed by AAUW staff and the Board of Directors prior to the Board’s vote.

From AAUW National

In today’s update:

• Absentee Voting by Mail
• Save the Date: Candidates Forum
• Demand the Senate Pass the HEROS Act
• Nominations for Public Impact Awards Due August 10
• Renew Your Membership

Absentee Voting by Mail

It’s not too early to request an absentee ballot in order to vote by mail in November’s election! In Ohio, you can vote by mail for any reason.

How to request an absentee ballot:

1. Download the English Absentee Ballot Request Form (PDF) and print it out.
2. Fill out the form and sign it. Don’t forget to provide one of the identification methods.
3. Mail it to your county board of elections. If you live in Bowling Green, mail it to:
   Wood County Board of Elections
   1 Court House Sq.
   Bowling Green, OH 43402

Returning your absentee ballot:

• Once you receive and complete your ballot, you can return it by U.S. Mail or deliver it in person to your county board of elections.
• The return envelope containing your marked ballot must be received by your county board of elections prior to the close of the polls on Election Day, OR postmarked no later than the day before the election and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after the election.
• If you’re planning to return your ballot by mail, we recommend allowing 14 days due to U.S. mail delays.

Learn more about how to request and return an absentee ballot.

Save the Date: Candidates Forum

Sunday, October 4, 2020
BGSU Bowen Thompson Student Union Ballroom
Doors open at 6:30 pm, Program from 7:00-9:00 pm

There will be a virtual component to this event if you do not want to attend in person. The in-person event will follow COVID-19 best practices. More details to come.

Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Bowling Green (LWVBG), League of Women Voters Perrysburg Area (LWVPA), BGSU Votes, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Bowling Green Branch, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, and BGSU Retirees Association

If you have questions about the event, please contact:

• Ellen Dalton, Chair, Voter Services, LWVBG, 419-575-9159, edalton@bgsu.edu or
• Debra Gorman, Chair, Voter Services, LWVPA, 419-343-3627, Debra.GreenleyGorman@gmail.com

Demand the Senate Pass the HEROES Act

With record unemployment fueling economic insecurity, rising spread of infection keeping schools and businesses closed, and our most vulnerable populations bearing the disproportionate impact of the pandemic, Congress must act to meet this nationwide crisis.

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) was introduced on May 12, 2020 and passed the House of Representatives just three days later. It provides needed financial support to states, localities, families and individuals to address the crisis. These provisions shore up gaps left by the previous emergency stimulus and offer a path forward to keep the country safe while stimulating economic recovery.

Unbelievably, the Senate has failed to even debate the HEROES Act in the two months since it passed the House. But Americans can’t wait any longer. Tell your Senator that they must act now.

From AAUW Action Network

Nominations for Public Impact Awards Due August 10

The BGSU Center for Public Impact’s Public Impact Awards recognize faculty, staff, students, and community partners for exceptional work in community-based learning, community-based research, and/or community and civic engagement projects over the past year. Nominations are due August 10, 2020.

Renew Your Membership

The dues year is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. If you’ve already renewed your membership, thank you! If not, it’s easy to renew online or by mail.

In today’s update:

• Renew Your Membership
• Defund the Police: What’s It Mean?
• Stand With Pride by the LGBTQ Community

Renew Your Membership

The dues year is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. If you’ve already renewed your membership, thank you! If not, it’s easy to renew online or by mail.

Defund the Police: What’s It Mean?

The term “defund the police” has been in the news and is frequently misunderstood. AAUW National included this explanation in their AAUW Mission & Action Newsletter:

The language “defund the police” may be misunderstood. Instead, our partner organization The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights recommends framing the issue of police funding this way:

• Our nation’s spending priorities are skewed: We spend billions to maintain mass criminalization and incarceration, while neglecting social services.
• Our country needs to transform its approach to public safety. Police cannot and should not solve every problem. The people who most need safety often feel too afraid to call the police.
• The safest communities in America are places that don’t center the police.

Is defunding the police an issue that AAUW should support? There may be conversations at the national, state, and local level and it’s important for members to be informed.

Stand With Pride by the LGBTQ Community

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court held that workers cannot be fired for being gay or transgender — a major victory for the LGBTQ community that came in the middle of this year’s Pride month. It’s a win for AAUW as well, as our Public Policy Priorities affirm our commitment to “vigorous protection of and full access to civil and constitutional rights,” and to “freedom in definition of family and guarantee of civil rights in all family structures.”

But, as with all social change, progress comes in fits and starts — and frequent setbacks. Just last week, the Trump administration announced it is eliminating an important regulation prohibiting discrimination in health care against transgender patients. That same week, as Black Lives Matter protests continued across the U.S., two Black transgender women were killed within 24 hours, prompting a fresh wave of demonstrations to support black trans lives.

Remind policymakers that America’s civil rights laws should include everyone. Learn more about LGBTQ rights — and then urge your members of Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would amend federal civil rights legislation to provide explicit protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

From AAUW Mission & Action Newsletter