October, 2013
Newsletter of the Northwest Suburban Branch
American Association of University Women
AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy,
education, philanthropy, and research.
Engaging Girls in STEM:
Why It’s Important and How to Do It!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Oakton Community College
1600 E. Golf Rd., Des Plaines
Room 1610
9:00 a.m.: Registration and Refreshments
9:30 a.m.: Program
At our meeting on November 2 we will hear
Dr. Gerry Oberman, University of Chicago
AAUW National STEM Taskforce
This program is being offered in collaboration with
Oakton Community College, and focuses on one of the
major initiatives of AAUW:
STEM – the involving of girls in
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Come and learn what’s being done and how.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
What a lovely program we had at Iannelli Studios last month. Thanks to Irene for arranging it and to
Irene and Merna for the refreshments.
I am very pleased to invite you to our November program, which is a collaboration with the STEM
Outreach Department at Oakton Community College. “Engaging Girls in STEM: Why It’s Important
and How to Do It” gives us an opportunity to support our daughters, granddaughters and educators as
they break through barriers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. The Deerfield
branch called me to tell me that they have a group of high school girls that want to attend our
program because they want to encourage more girls at their school to pursue these fields. If you can
read the New York Times article published on October 3 entitled “Why There Are Still so Few
Women in Science” (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/magazine/why-are-there-still-so-fewwomen-in-science.html?_r=0) you will see why this is still an issue.
I hope you can come to find out how we can help young women today. Bring a friend or educator
who may be interested. If you can, please RSVP at http://engaginggirlsinstem.eventbrite.com/. You
do not have to RSVP to come, however; please don’t stay away because you did not respond!
Also your board is in the process of finalizing programs for the year. One problem is a place to meet
that is reasonable and accessible. We have a program planned for Thursday, April 10, in the evening,
that needs a location. If you have any ideas please let me, Merna or Irene know.
I look forward to seeing you soon
Cindy
FROM THE TREASURER
Thank you to the many members who have continued their national and state membership and to
those who have rejoined! AAUW is a way for us to support women, from young girls to women who
are continuing their education and those who are in the workforce, still waiting for pay equity. Our
branch has a long tradition of this kind of support, and we certainly want it to continue. To do this,
we need branch members who support AAUW and its mission. Your dues do this, and attendance at
AAUW functions, as you are able, does, too.
Some who have not been Association members for some time are getting our newsletter in the hope
that you will want to be a part of the big picture. Through AAUW we can show that we do support
women of all ages in their quest for education and equity. Won’t you consider joining or rejoining the
Association? Membership dues are not high, especially in comparison to what we pay to other
groups! Remember, through AAUW you are supporting women and girls in so many ways.
Remember, too, that $46.00 of your national dues is deductible as a charitable contribution, under
IRS guidelines. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go before we have achieved
the equity that women deserve!
A membership form is included with this newsletter. If you have not already sent your dues for 20132014, do it now. Be a part of helping young (and older) women achieve their dreams!
--Irene Jinks
STEM
It’s not a floral offering but is an acronym that you should know and appreciate. Sometimes we say
that there is no discrimination in educating girls and young women, but in truth they are often
discouraged from entering into the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. Or, if
not actually discouraged, they are not actively encouraged!
AAUW is working to make these fields both accessible and interesting to girls as they progress in
their education – from intermediate grades and middle school through high school and college. Come
to Oakton Community College on Saturday, November 2, to learn more about this initiative as we
collaborate with the STEM Outreach Department at Oakton in presenting Dr. Gerry Oberman of the
University of Chicago as a speaker. Dr. Oberman is a member of the AAUW National STEM
Taskforce. This would be a wonderful opportunity to invite guests – your daughters, granddaughters,
neighbors who have daughters and granddaughters – anyone interested in what girls should and could
be studying.
We’ll begin with networking and socialization over light refreshments at 9:00 a.m. and then our
program will follow at 9:30. We should be finished by 11:00, so you will have the rest of the day free
for your other activities. The meeting will be in Room 1610. Parking Lot C is the best one to use for
this event. Since this is a daytime meeting, we hope many of our members will attend.
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN WEBSITE
Have you checked out our website? Thanks to Cindy Grau for her work in getting it set up and started
so that we have a web presence! If you are on the Internet, visit: http://nwsuburban-il.aauw.net/.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH INTEREST GROUPS?
The bridge players meet on Saturday afternoon at the Des Plaines Elks Club. They generally meet for
lunch and then stay to play. We thank the bridge players for their contributions to our projects,
notably Oakton College where we support a scholarship for a woman returning to school to complete
her education. For information, contact Ginny Puchner (ginpuc@msn.com) or Anne Evans
(ahevans57@att.net).
The reading group will meet on Tuesday, October 29, 7:00 p.m., at the home of Karen Heckmann.
The book for this month is The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. We would welcome new members. If
you would like to attend, call Karen Heckmann, 847-297-8619 or email her at ksheckmann@att.net
so she will know how many to expect.
WHAT’S COMING UP?
Our December meeting will be our traditional brunch on Saturday, December 7 at the home of Irene
Jinks. We’ll feast on our customary strata and, perhaps, some other goodies. Plan now to save the
morning to start the holiday season with your AAUW friends; you will still have plenty of time left
for shopping or whatever else you may have to do.
Then, in January, there is the 31st Annual Networking Luncheon of the branches of District 5. It will
be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014, at the Embassy Suites, 1445 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield. This
is a new location. Social time and networking will begin at 11:30 a.m., with luncheon served at noon.
The speaker will be LAURA CALDWELL, formerly from Woodstock, IL. Laura is a former civil
trial attorney, now Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Loyola University Chicago School of Law,
Director of Life after Innocence, and published author of several novels and one nonfiction book. For
a listing of books: www.lauracaldwell.com. Cost of the luncheon is $40.00. Information is included
with this newsletter. You may send your reservation and check to Irene Jinks, 834 Carolyn Lane,
Park Ridge IL 60068 and she will submit all of our reservations together. Please send by Dec. 30.
Programs, 2013-2014

Saturday, October 26 from 9:00am to 12:15pm
District 4 and 5 Joint Conference
Oakton Community College in Des Plaines
All branch members are invited to attend — especially board members! Details and registration
form will be in the Fall Issue of LINK (now sent online — mailed to those without email).
 Saturday, November 2 – 9:00 a.m., Networking; 9:30 a.m., Program
Engaging Girls in STEM
Oakton Community College
 Saturday, December 7at 9:30am
Holiday Brunch and Meeting
The home of Irene Jinks
 Saturday, January, 18 at 11:30am
Networking Luncheon
Deerfield Embassy Suites, 1445 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield
 Saturday, February 22 at 12:00pm
Branch meeting and lunch Speaker: TBD
Elks Club
495 Lee Street, Des Plaines
 Thursday, April 10 at 7:00pm
“Tracing the Role of Women at the Chicago Tribune” presented by Laura Russell, docent at the
Robert R. McCormick Museum.
Location to be announced
 Friday and Saturday, MAY 2 – 3
AAUW-IL, Inc. CONVENTION
Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, IL
 Saturday, May 17 at 12:00pm
Branch Business Meeting and Lunch
Elks Club
495 Lee Street, Des Plaines
________________________________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS: If you have not already sent your dues, why don’t you do it now so
that you will continue to hear about the exciting things that Northwest Suburban Branch is doing.
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Northwest Suburban Branch, American Association of University Women
_______ I wish to join AAUW (national, state and local) for 2013-2014; total dues of $71.00
National: $49.00 ($46 is tax-deductible as it is not used for lobbying
or political activity); State: $10.00; Local: $12.00
_______ National Life Member (Life dues already paid), $22.00 ($10 State; $12 Local)
_______ 50 Year Honorary Life Member, No dues required
Name ________________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________ Email _________________________________
_______ My newsletters may be sent by email
Please send dues to Irene Jinks, 834 Carolyn Lane, Park Ridge IL 60068.
Checks should be made payable to Northwest Suburban Branch, AAUW.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
31st Annual Networking Luncheon
Please mark your calendar for District 5’s 31st Annual Networking Luncheon to be held Saturday,
January 18, 2014,
at Deerfield’s Embassy Suites, 1445 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015.
Please note this is a NEW location.
Networking will begin at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m.
Laura Caldwell is a former civil trial attorney, now Distinguished Scholar in
Residence at Loyola University Chicago School of Law; Director of Life After
Innocence; published author of several novels and a non-fiction book. Caldwell
founded Loyola’s Life After Innocence program that assists wrongfully convicted
individuals or other innocent persons affected by the criminal justice system in order
to help them re-enter society and reclaim their lives.
The cost of the luncheon is $40. Menu choices are:
(1) Chicken Marsala-Herbed Chicken w/Fresh Mushrooms
(2) Grilled Salmon w/Mango Salsa;
(3) Elegant Puff Pastry Purse w/ Seasonal Vegetables
All menu choices include a garden salad, Chef’s choice dessert, coffee & tea, warm rolls & butter.
Name of Attendee ________________________________________________________________
Entrée Choice____________________________________________________________________
Branch _____________________________________ Branch Position ____________________
Telephone # __________________________ Email ___________________________________
Please make your check payable to AAUW Networking Luncheon, indicating your entrée
choice on the memo section, and send to Irene Jinks, 834 Carolyn Lane, Park Ridge IL 60068.
Please send your reservation by December 30, 2013.
YOU’RE INVITED TO A MEMBERS-ONLY POLICY BRIEFING
Some of you may have received this, but if you did not you might be interested. From time to time
opportunities like this are available through the Association; as members, we can learn a great deal by
taking advantage of them. This is coming up on October 25th, and this is for your information
Learn everything you need to know about the Supreme Court term!
The U.S. Supreme Court began its term this week, and its docket is full of cases that impact women and girls.
The Court will hear cases touching on reproductive rights, racial discrimination, campaign finance, and statesanctioned prayer, and it is likely to hear a challenge to contraceptive insurance coverage. The Court’s
decisions on these cases will shape our country for decades to come.
As an AAUW member, you're invited to join AAUW's exclusive conference call
on Thursday, October 24, at 8:30 p.m. ET for an overview of the upcoming cases
important to women and girls. AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund Manager Mollie Lam
(pictured at right) will discuss these cases and how they can impact you.
WHAT: AAUW conference call previewing the Supreme Court term
WHEN: Thursday, October 24, at 8:30 p.m. ET
RVSP for the call today!
You must RSVP to receive the dial-in information for the call.
Questions? E-mail advocacy@aauw.org.
AAUW
1111 16th St NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
.