Georgia members (Diane Sakmar and Yetta McMillan, AAUW of Georgia Co-Presidents) and Myra Carmon (Atlanta), Debbie Karvey, Barbara Blue and Betty Dinkins (Cobb Branch) and Evelyn Merk (Houston-Peach) attending convention experienced inspiring speakers and panels, brainstorming through workshops and networking with new and old AAUW members. Approximately 1000 women attended the convention in San Diego, which greeted attendees each day with marvelous temperatures, refreshing breezes and beautiful sunshine.

A very motivational opening session featured Title IX stories and advocacy with Catherine Lhamon, Assistant Secretary of Civil rights, US Department of Education. (See excerpt from AAUW feature article below)   AAUW Action Alert is available for members to sign a pledge to contact local Title IX school coordinators to provide resources from AAUW.

Women and Girls in STEM featured a panel of female leaders representing AAUW and corporations such as Verizon, BAE and Lockheed Martin who discussed the opportunities and challenges focused on women working in the world of science and technology.

An outstanding panel participated in a discussion of “What Makes a Woman Leader?” which included Lilly Ledbetter, Noorjahan Akbar, Don McPherson and moderator, Marianne Schnall. Very insightful comments and personal experiences highlighted this engaging interaction.

Brief examples of Workshop Materials are also listed below. All workshop materials are available on AAUW website under Convention Tab and/or Resources Tab. Workshop options focused on membership and marketing your branch as well as STEM, philanthropy and mission-based programs. The primary focus of this year’s convention is threefold:

• Philathropy
• Salary Negotiation
• Public Policy

On Saturday afternoon, the annual meeting and town hall revealed that 12% of AAUW members voted. The new board members were announced as well as the new public policy platform and by-laws implemented for 2015. One of the key voting issues was open membership. The vote was 55% against and 41% for open membership (4% did not vote on this item.) Education requirement for membership remains. For complete details – refer to the AAUW website.

 The annual banquet Saturday evening featured:

• 2015 AAUW Achievement Awardee: Maria Klawe, President / Harvey Mudd College
• 2015 AAUW Alumnae Recognition Awardee: Faith Ringgold, Artist, Educator and Social Activist

The speakers were dynamic and inspirational for AAUW members to pay it forward in action and in advocacy.

On Sunday, the closing session featured an outstanding speaker sharing her personal experience as well as relaying results of research on the challenge of non-traditional black women returning to college.

• 2015 Eleanor Roosevelt Fund Awardee: Juanita Johnson-Bailey, UGA Director of Institute for Women’s Studies

Enjoy the gallery of photos from national convention. Georgia was featured prominently as a top 10 state for philanthropy per capita.

Lisa Maatz

Cobb County AAUW members came out in force to host and enjoy the Friday evening reception at the Hilton Garden Inn. There were 30 convention attendees as well as Lisa Maatz from national and Carmita McCall from Florida joining in the shared time with good friends and AAUW colleagues.

The convention program hosted by Bea Piddock and Diane Sakmar was exceptional. Although Macon, Valdosta and the newly formed Milledgeville Branches were unable to send representatives, there were 52 in attendance, which is outstanding.

• Lisa Maatz, AAUW VP of Government relations, presented an AAUW overview with slides and videos to highlight the focus and direction of the organization.

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  Carmita McCall

  Carmita McCall from Florida (studying at Valdosta State University) came with her program director, Dr. Joy Anderson, and spoke about their Gadsen County Healthy Start Services Program offering services to a very underserved and poor rural population outside of Tallahassee.

• Betty Slater introduced a panel of 5 students (Emory, Atlanta Metro State College, Georgia State and advisors from Georgia Highlands) engaged the membership with the perspectives of student chapter needs and interactions with branches and AAUW.

• Marlene Humphry reported on AAUW Funds contribution for GA AAUW and branches. Cobb received several rewards and the overall contribution in 2014 to AAUW funds from Georgia was over $38.000.

• Laurie Shaw reported on GA AAUW Membership and presented membership awards. The challenge to grow branch membership continues to be a focal point.

• Following lunch, Lisa Maatz shared public policy stories and personal advocacy experiences that validate her skills as a terrific strategist and speaker.

• There followed reports on Finance, Communications, and election results for GA AAUW Co-President and Treasurer to serve a two year term. The proposed bylaws change was approved as well (changing number of members serving on nominating committee from 5 to 3.). The voting format was electronically submitted to all members via Survey Monkey.

• All branches had an opportunity to ‘brag’ about accomplishments this year. The convention provided outstanding speakers and inspiration as well as an opportunity to visit accomplishments of GA AAUW and our branches.

• Several GA AAUW members are fired up to attend the national convention in San Diego in June. Members are encouraged to vote electronically for the candidates running for national office as well as the bylaws and public policy proposals for this year.

• Unanimously elected are the new incoming officers for 2015-2017. Joining GA AAUW Co-President Diane Sakmar of Cartersville-Bartow Branch will be incoming Co-President Yetta McMillan of Cobb County Branch as well as Mary Lynn Merkle of Atlanta Branch as treasurer. We look forward to supporting the efforts of GA AAUW leadership in the coming year.

• Outgoing GA AAUW Co-President, Bea Piddock, was honored for her contributions to the organization.