AAUW of VA: Reston-Herndon Area Branch

About AAUW
The American Association of University Women, founded in 1881, is a national organization, which promotes education and equity for all women and girls. The Association has 1,300 branches nationwide with a membership of 100,000, making it the second largest women's organization in the United States. AAUW has an Educational Foundation, which funds pioneering research on girls and education, community action projects, and fellowships and grants for outstanding women. The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provides funds and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education.

History of the Reston-Herndon Branch

The Reston-Herndon Area Branch, founded in 1969, is a vibrant group that balances community action with fun. It welcomes members from the Reston, Herndon, Chantilly, Sterling, Ashburn, Great Falls, Potomac Falls, Leesburg and Oak Hill areas.

Branch Meetings
Monthly branch meetings are held from September through June, usually featuring a guest speaker. These meetings cover a wide range of topics, from politics to education to women’s health and history.

Projects/Events
In the past few years, the branch has been involved in many projects: lobbying for women’s issues at the state and national levels; initiating a county-wide effort to secure increased funding for the Fairfax County Women’s Emergency Shelter; tutoring/ mentoring girls in grades 3 to 6 who are considered "at risk" academically; and working with the Dulles Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) to register voters. There is an annual state convention for all Virginia AAUW members every April, and a biennial national AAUW convention in summer.

To volunteer for our tutoring/mentoring program at Forest Edge Elementary School, contact Mary Zane at 703-860-1071; mpz_06@verizon.net or Gail Parsons at 540-338-5535; Gailiff@rstarmail.com.

Several members of the Reston-Herndon AAUW
branch have taken part in care package events held by the Orphan Foundation of America. For additional info, go to www.orphan.org

See our listing on
Volunteer Match

Monthly Events
Branch members also have the opportunity to join the gourmet dinner group and the monthly book discussion group, both of which meet in members' homes. In addition, several cultural programs are arranged each year and branch members receive a monthly newsletter.

Annual GEMS Conference 2008 GEMS Conference a Huge Success!
Since 1991, the branch has sponsored an annual conference for local fifth and sixth grade girls. GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science/Technology) – allows hundreds girls to take part in hands-on workshops led by professional women in fields requiring a background in math and science; a simultaneous seminar on gender equity is held for parents.
View video on AAUW GEMS Program.

Tech-Savvy Girls Project

AAUW Reston-Herndon Area Branch
2007-2008 Program Calendar
(see Newsletters for more info on events)

DATE	SPEAKER(S) & LOCATION	TOPIC
Thurs., Sept. 20 - 7pm	Sharing of info on branch activities	AAUW Expo
Tues., Oct 2 - 7pm	Catherine Hudgins, Fairfax Co. Supervisor and James L. Brigl, CEO, FACETS - Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Avenue, East, Vienna, VA	Ending Homelessness in Fairfax County - Joint Meeting with Vienna AAUW Branch
November 15, 7 pm	Dr. Mark Chalfant Herndon Fortnighly Library 768 Center Street, Herndon, VA	How to Improve Your Energy Naturally
December 8, Saturday, 11:30 pm	Music from South Lakes High School	Holiday Luncheon & Silent Auction
January 26, Saturday 10-12	Khalil Kuykendahl & Gloria Blackwell	Joint meeting with NCNW One Shared World Update
February 23, Saturday 10-12	Catherine Hill	Pay Equity
March 15, Saturday	Montmartre Café	Luncheon and Annual Business Meeting
April 11-13	AAUW of VA State Convention Roanoke, VA
May	Senator Janet Howell’s Legislative Update
June	Annual Picnic

NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, all meetings will be held at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia. Weekday meetings usually begin at 7pm with a half hour of conversation and refreshments, followed by the program.

Directions to the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne: From Reston Town Center, go north on Reston Parkway. Turn right at Baron Cameron. At the first light, turn right onto Village Road, then left onto North Shore Drive. Make a quick right into the parking lot of Lake Anne Center. The Community Center is opposite the bank.

AAUW Reston-Herndon Board Members
2007-2008

President
Carol Hurlburt      schurlburt@verizon.net                   703/264-9054

Program VP
Carol Van Evera   cvanevera@cox.net                          703/759-5543

Membership VP
Maria Wright         marialwright@operamail.com        703/733-0788

Treasurer
Nancy Thompson
                                nancy.e.thompson@comcast.net 703/743-1064

Secretary
Abbie Edwards    abbiedward@aol.com                        703/476-0997

Book Group
Abbie Edwards    abbiedward@aol.com                        703/476-0997

Cultural/Diversity
Tanya Alguard      tialguard2000@yahoo.com              703/689-9438

Directory
Nancy Thompson
                               nancy.e.thompson@comcast.net   703/743-1064
Susan Merk         sbmerk@comcast.net                       703/437-4386

Educational Equity
Fran Lovaas      franlovaas@comcast.net                 703/318-9628
Gail Parsons       gailiff@rstarmail.com                        540/338-5535
Mary Zane            mpz_06@verizon.net                          703/264-7782

Educational Foundation/Legal Advocacy Fund   OPEN

Gourmet Group
Marilyn Silvey      marilynsilvey@comcast.net               703/860-5141

Hospitality
Suzanne Cook
                              suzanne@secondhandprose.com    703/860-4303

Lobby Corps/Public Policy
Mary Stack-Dunne mdstackd@aol.com                         703/742-9520

Newsletter
Felicia Strickland
                              AAUWnewsletter@hotmail.com       703/401-1487
Publicity
John Lovaas         johnlovaas@comcast.net                 703/318-9628