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American Association of University Women
Bon Air Byline | Volume 2 | February 2007 |
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Contents
President's Message |
February Program: Operation Pedro Pan 7:30pm, February 13, Bon Air Library Between the summer of 1960 and autumn 1962, over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children arrived on American soil at Miami, FL. The majority of these children would eventually be reunited with their parents, but others would not see their parents for years or ever, again. All of them were members of Operation Pedro Pan, a nationwide foster care system designed for them by private charitable agencies with the support of the US government; this program was to become the largest child refugee program in the Western Hemisphere.
On Tuesday Susana Hernandez-Kurtulus, a former Pedro Pan child, will share with us her childhood
memories and experiences in the USA.
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President's Message February may bring cold stormy weather but this year it also brings a coordinated Cuban theme that we are all looking forward to. The events start with gourmet on 2/3 and a Cuban inspired dinner, followed by our branch meeting on 2/13 with the topic of Cuba's "Operation Pedro Pan", and wrapping up with a discussion of Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy at book group on 2/15. We are so pleased that our branch member Susana Hernandez-Kurtulus is a key component of these events and I am looking forward to hearing her insights. I am sure that you will want to be a part of one or more of these special events and hope to see you at the branch meeting or book group (see the Calendar on our web site for further information). Also in February is an opportunity to travel to Newport News for lunch with some very interesting and energetic women-the members of our Hampton Roads District. Reserve Saturday 2/24 on your calendar for a road trip and lunch at the Point Plaza Suites and Conference Hotel. Let me know if you would like to go and we can plan a car pool or caravan. Please see specific information from our District Rep, Sherry Warren, in this newsletter. And while you are filling in dates of importance on your calendar, circle the 3rd weekend in April, 4/20 - 22, for a trip to the beach - Virginia Beach that is. It's the location for theAAUW State Convention at the Quality Inn & Suites Oceanfront. You can go for the whole weekend or just a day. More information will be coming soon!
The General Assembly is currently in session with bills running the gamut from minimum wage to domestic
assault to family life education to abortion to a tuition assistance grant program for students with
disabilities. It's a lot to keep up with and I hope that you are tracking the bills of interest
to you - see the email from Katharine Gallagher on 1/22/07 for the list of bills before committees.
State Lobby Day was February 1 and I hope that some branch members were able to attend and make our
voices heard. Some of our branch members volunteered to host AAUW members from other parts of the state
so they could attend the Senate Education and Health Committee Meeting - a positive display of AAUW
women in action. |
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Bon Air AAUW Book Group
Reading List & Schedule, February - July 2007 Bon Air AAUW Book Group routinely meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30pm. February's meeting will be held Thursday, February 15, at the home of Sharon Davis. Contact Sharon at sharonrdavis@cavtel.net or phone 378-8153 to let her know if you will attend. All Bon Air members and their guests are welcome. About this month's book: In February, Book Group focuses on Cuba with Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy, by Carlos Eire. This haunting memoir of the Cuban Revolution, seen through the eyes of a small boy, is the heartbreaking story of the author's privileged childhood in pre-revolution Havana and how he lost everything, including his father. Early in the 1960s, an operation called Pedro Pan flew more than 14,000 Cuban children out of the country, without their parents, and deposited them in Miami. Eire, now a professor of history and religion at Yale, was one of them. His deeply moving memoir describes his life before Castro among the aristocracy of old Cuba and later in America where he turned from a child of privilege into a Lost Boy. Bon Air Book Group's discussion of Waiting for Snow in Havana coordinates with our Branch's emphasis for February, our annual "international month," with our program featuring discussions about Cuba and Gourmet Group enjoying a Cuban menu.
For more information about the Bon Air Book Group's selections, click here: http://aauwbonairva.org/book_selections_2007.html, or go to the Bon Air web site at http://aauwbonairva.org, click on the Interest Groups link on the left column, then click on the link for 2007 Book Group Selections.
Special Book Group event on February 8
An evening with William Henry Lewis, author of this year's Go Read selection I Got Somebody in Staunton, our Book Group selection in October, 2006. Mr. Lewis will read and discuss his work. Book signing and reception to follow. FREE and open to the public. Last year, three members attended this event with Alice McDermott, author of Charming Billy. She signed our books and we chatted with her about our Book Group's discussion of her book.
Doors open at 6:30pm. No reservation necessary. Free parking in St. Paul's garage (enter from 8th Street between Grace and Franklin Streets). If interested in attending, please contact DeAnn Hubicsak at Hubicsak@dss.virginia.gov or call 233-5352 for directions.
State Lobby Day
For folks coming in from the far corners of the state, there were local Richmond AAUW members who were willing to host out-of-towners overnight. In preparation Rebecca Bronson, State Vice President for Public Policy, forwarded the Agenda 2007 to all members and requested that if our legislators serve on the committees listed, to please contact them regarding the legislation listed for those committees.
AAUW Hampton Roads District Meeting
Dr. Sally Sledge, Norfolk branch member and Assist. Professor of Management & Marketing, Christopher Newport University, Sally will speak on "A Look at Women in Higher Education Today" (which is consistent with the AAUW of Virginia focus on "Gains in Learning/ Gaps in Earning").
We have to have at least 30 people to attend. Everyone is encouraged to come -and bring a guest! (potential new member or just a friend). Don't forget that we are now accepting individuals with 2 year degrees into AAUW. Richmond and BonAir, come on down!
Calendar of Events
Gourmet Group
Check out our website!!!!
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Transitions
Congratulations to our own Katherine Gallagher, Public Policy Chair, who will be celebrating her twentieth high school reunion from Trinity Episcopal this spring. Return to Contents |
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Member Helpline: 800-821-4364
AAUW website: www.aauw.org
Virginia AAUW website: www.aauwofva.org
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| AAUW Bon Air Byline February 2007 |