President Holly Spittler opened the general meeting of the Bradford branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) by thanking the members of the hospitality committee, which included Isabelle Champlin, Dianna Shaw and Samila Sosic.
She also acknowledged the efforts of Ann Cavallero and Emily Zinsner, who handled the reservations for the meeting. Spittler welcomed Melody Pollack, who was attending as a guest.
After the recording secretary’s and treasurer’s reports, Diane Gardner, vice president of membership, presented information on the Shape the Future program, which allows new members and former members, whose membership has lapsed, to pay one-half of the normal price of national dues during their first year of membership.
Terri Leven, scholarship chairperson, announced that AAUW scholarship applications are available at the Bradford Area High School. Spittler announced that final ballots for the branch’s annual AAUW awards have been mailed to members. Gardner and Leven reminded members that it is important that member dues are submitted by June 1.
After the business meeting, members participated in a program called Famous Women Re-enactments, during which members portrayed famous women and told their stories in first person narratives. The famous women came from a variety of fields, countries and ages.
Some of the women who were portrayed were: Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, as well as Dolly Parton, who in addition to her musical genius, established an extensive literacy program for children all over the world.
One member told the story of Isabella Bird, a British 19th century writer, explorer, naturalist and photographer. The lives of two activists were recounted: Carrie Nation, a radical member of the temperance movement, who was famous for using a hatchet to demolish saloons in the early 1900s, and Susan B. Anthony, who fought for women’s suffrage and spoke at the Wagner Opera House in Bradford on April 25, 1892.
Members also learned about Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who rescued 2,500 Jewish children who were trapped in the Warsaw ghetto by the Nazis. Another member shared the largely unknown story of two courageous Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II.
Members agreed that hearing the stories of these women was an informative and memorable way to commemorate Women’s History Month.
AAUW promotes equity for women, education and self-development over the lifespan. The Bradford Branch of AAUW was founded on April 16, 1911.
