Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)

with speaker Tara Romano, president of NC Women United

and Sara Cross of SURJ

This month’s program portion features Tara Romano, who will make an informative–and possibly challenging—address. Tara is president of NC Women United (NCWU)–a visible and effective proponent of activism for women’s issues. You can read NCWU’s March newsletter by clicking on the link HERE.

Tara will encourage our branch to join a new movement called Showing Up for Racial Justice (or SURJ), showingupforracialjustice.org. Through membership in SURJ, Tara and fellow members promote action that challenges racial injustice and more.

There is a recent online article that Tara wrote in the last few days on the subject of the disagreements over Charlotte’s anti-discrimination laws. Click the link to read a fair and informative account of the controversy over the Charlotte ordinance.

SURJ is a national organization with about 100 chapters:  “SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves White people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. We work to connect people across the country while supporting and collaborating with local and national racial justice organizing efforts. SURJ provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to act for change.”; The six core values are: calling people in, not calling out; taking risks, learning and keeping going; tap into mutual interest; accountability through collective action; enough for everyone; growing is good. SURJ helps people educate themselves about racism through workshops provided by OAR, Organizing Against Racism, oarnc.org. They also sponsor a book club and living room conversations.

We are delighted that Tara and Sara will join us and hope that you will be present. Bring a friend. Tara’s address will be another in a series of memorable programs we have enjoyed this year.

Bring a friend to the February 16 meeting of our American Association of University Women branch as we hear from a true pioneer in Durham’s Halls of Justice–Karen (Galloway) Bethea-Shields, the county’s first female judge.

Karen’s story is a rich and inspiring one, filled with a broad array of personal and professional experience, including many “firsts.” She has graciously agreed to speak to elaborate on her journey, after which she’ll entertain questions–whether from aspiring attorneys or from any of us who treasure the freedoms protected by courts of law.

AAUW Art Contest

Did you notice an email from AAUW (national) inviting submissions of original art for publication as AAUW notecards?  “Someone you know” has responded and you can see two pieces of her work (Hydrangeas and Protea) at this url: www.aauw.org/contests/  Vote for TEN works of art.  In March, we’ll find out which submissions were the favorites.

The Poisoned Table: A Novel Paperback – September 1, 2015

by Diane Michael Cantor (Author)

Diane Cantor, is a member of AAUW in Georgia. She has written a book published by Mercer University Press called THE POISONED TABLE.  It is historical fiction about the role Fanny Kemble played in the fight against slavery. Consider this book as one of your book club selections this year!  It is on AMAZON.COM as well as KINDLE as an e-book.

We hope you’ve marked your calendars for the

Tuesday, Oct. 20 Meeting
of the American Association of University Women’s
Raleigh-Wake County Branch

5:15pm    Hospitality

5:30pm    Guest Speaker

6:30pm    Business Session

Please note the program change.
Our October Speaker will be:
BRENDA BERG, CEO BEST-NC

Given the very specific nature of our questions about the current state of public education.
Ms. Berg was recommended to us by our contact at the Public School Forum, Laurie Suggs.

Our officers were impressed with a piece by Brenda Berg, written in response to James Hogan, former NC teacher and strident critic of the current administration. In an editorial in August 2015, Hogan blamed NC’s political leadership for poor performance by both the state’s teachers and its students.

Here’s a sample of what Berg had to say on behalf of the business-centered non-profit she heads up:

Rather than pointing fingers, we encourage our fellow North Carolinians to do what we do best—work proactively and collaboratively to find solutions that will elevate educators to the status they deserve. In addition to a commitment to raise teacher pay, a powerful proposal is on the table right now with House and Senate budget negotiators. The plan offers a comprehensive approach to elevate teachers and principals by recruiting, preparing, developing, and supporting great educators so they can focus on what matters most to them and to us—our students. This is the antithesis of a “war” on public education and the most-likely antidote to persistently low-performing schools.

We invite you to join us on October 20 to learn more and to pose for our speaker your own questions about public education in NC today.

Members of AAUW’s Raleigh/Wake County branch invite you to join us at
5:30 pm, Tue, Nov 17th
711 Hillsborough St, Raleigh 27603
as we host a rising star.
Amanda Hubbard: One of the winners of a 2015 AAUW Career Development Grant

Having served several state agencies as a television producer and website
developer, Amanda Hubbard is now employed with the NC Forest Service. With
the grant money she received, she has enrolled in Wake Technical Community
College’s Java Certification Program. At the conclusion of the academic year, she
hopes to continue her education in pursuit of an Associate’s Degree in Computer
Needless to say, Amanda is highly proficient in the application of many
communication technologies. In addition, however, she wants you to know that
she also has a passion for public service and the environment.
We look forward to the chance to greet Amanda, hear her story and join her in
celebrating her ambitions.