News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, May 14, 2018
AAUW Manhattan (KS) Branch Meeting, Monday, May 14, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.,Annual Wrap-Up and Celebration at Meadowlark Hills Community Room
Welcoming Remarks: President Mary Stamey welcomed members and guests to the 98th year-end meeting of AAUW. Participants were encouraged to continue bidding on auction items to help raise money for branch operating expenses.
Business Meeting: President Mary Stamey called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. The AAUW Manhattan Branch Minutes of April 9, 2018 were approved as distributed. The Monthly Profit and Loss Statement for April 2018, prepared by Shauntia Rippee, showed an income of $334.50, expenses $314.00, and profit of $20.50, and was approved with clarification. Copies of the new AAUW informational brochure developed by Julie Thompson were available for review. Jennifer Green will be presenting the Health Department budget to the County Commission on May 17 at 3 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the following dates:
- 2018 Board Retreat, June 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., KSU Research Foundation Complex
- 2018-2019 Board Meetings: 4 p.m., Vistas on first Monday of month
- 2018-2019 Branch Meetings: September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13.
Celebration: President Stamey opened the celebration by noting our theme (AAUW Is . . .), and the “wheel of initiatives” (AAUW national priorities) on the branch’s yearbook cover. In addition, the AAUW Manhattan Branch has a long history of accomplishments in our community, including sponsoring a series of lectures and art exhibitions at K-State in the 1930’s that lead to the formation of the Friends of Arts as mentioned on a plaque at the Beach Museum of Art.
AAUW State Convention. Tresa Landis, newly elected state AAUW Funds officer, reported on the AAUW State Convention on April 28, 2018 in Wichita. Items highlighted were 1) the excellent presentations by Dr. Kristina Haahr, Wichita State University on “Mental Health Matters: Advocating for Today by Understanding Our History” and Lynn Stephen, founding member of Women for Kansas, 2) election of 2018-2020 officers, 3) proposed bylaw amendments, and 4) branch awards. AAUW National no longer sends an individual to state conventions with less than 50 attendee. Instead, a video entitled Beyond Aspirations: AAUW’s Future was viewed that gave new directions, changes in dues, and streamlines in operations. Three proposed bylaw amendments are: 1) implementing a staggered-term model for the AAUW Board of Directors, 2) allowing up to five nonmembers to serve on the Board, and 3) eliminating the degree requirement for membership to increase equity. There are now five branches in Kansas (El Dorado, Manhattan, Newton, Shawnee Mission, and Wichita). The Manhattan branch received a AAUW Kansas Star Branch award and was recognized for both Overall and Per Capita Giving in 2017. The 2019 State Convention will be held on April 27, 2019 in Lindsborg.
Overview of Year’s Activities. President Stamey summarized some of the branch activities, e.g., talks on keeping the public healthy by Ellyn Mulcahy (September) and Tracy Scott (November), the successful third annual celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD, March 8), three graduate student scholarships, recruiting success at the community fair and other meetings, enhancements on the branch’s Facebook page and website, active interests groups (Great Decisions and Serendipity), donations to Grow Green, attendance at the AAUW State Conference, and Dr. Amanda Gaulke’s talk on student loan repayment.
Branch Scholarships. Claudia Jones, Scholarship Committee chair, reported that the branch has six scholarships to award and interviews are still in progress.
Recognition of Outgoing and Continuing Officers. Tresa Landis and Connie Noble were honored for their outstanding service as program vice presidents. Marilyn Bunyan was recognized for her 50+ years of service in many roles, including president, bylaws chair, and director-at-large. Also recognized were the continuing officers: Karen Tinkler, past president; Maurine Pruitt, secretary; and Shauntia Rippee, treasurer.
Installation of New Officers. President Stamey initiated Leena Chakrharti as director-at-large (Karen McCulloh was absent); and Julie Thomas, Usha Reddi, and Mary N’gang’a as vice presidents of programs. In gratitude, all of the outgoing, continuing, and new-elected officers were presented a red rose.
Honoring Our Champions. Three outstanding branch members were honored for their service and given a lovely potted plant:
- Outstanding Branch Member – Annelise Nguyen for developing a student group on campus, serving as a program speaker, assisting with IWD, and improving women’s health.
- Honored Gift Honoree – Joan Strickler for serving in a variety of offices, including president, archives, and bylaws committees; being an outstanding mentor, and promoting health concerns for women and children in her work. The branch will donate $50 to AAUW national in her honor.
- President’s Award – Connie Noble for having a “sure I’ll help” attitude, serving in various branch positions, making others feel comfortable, and working behind the scenes.
The event ended with silent auction winners paying for their items. A special thanks was given to everyone for a great year.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Gatewood
Acting Secretary, AAUW Manhattan (KS) Branch
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, April 9, 2018
Program – Dr. Amanda Gaulke, Assistant Professor of Economics at Kansas State University spoke about The Dynamics of Student Loan Repayment. The research was done by Dr. Amanda Gaulke and Chris Reynolds. The research reported here was supported by the Spencer Foundation. Views are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or the U S Department of the Treasurer.
One Motivation for Student Loan Repayment is that Defaults Rates determine the institution’s eligibility for Title IV financial aid. When a person defaults that impacts the cost of providing the Loans initially.
Related Literature on Gender Differences shows women owe more on their loans 10 years after finishing college. In earlier years after a Student Loan is given, men are more likely to default and in later years women are more likely to default on repayment of their Student Loan.
Data was taken from random 18 year olds who had a credit report in 2005. The Data was collected from 2005 to 2015.
Debt Statuses is defined as the first day that you fail to make a payment on your Student Loan.
Descriptive Statistics shows that an average student has 4 student loans. They also have Credit Card Debts. Good reasons for non-repayment of Student Loans may include some students have gone back to school or have gone into the military. Actual Default on Student Loans comes often from quitting college. Statistics do show that those who have completed the degree have less defaults on their Student Loans.
Dynamics shows that many students are in default more on Student Loans than on other credit that is given. They may often default only on Student Loans. Why? On Student Loans there is no collateral. On other Loans they can come and get your car or repossess your house. Also you will get your Student Loan Repayment notice many years after it was initially given to you. Students do need to know you cannot declare Student Loans in bankruptcy. In some states the government can garnish wages for repayment of Student Loans, they can keep tax return money for repayment, and they can garnish socials security payment for student loan repayments in some states. In some states you may not be able to renew professional licenses or a driver’s license.
Often unemployment is the cause of non-payment on Student Loans. Many colleges commit fraud to get student to enroll when they offer them Student Loans. Students should know that they can get counseling on payment of Student Loans. For-profit institutions could be bad for many students in getting Student Loans. The Department of Education is now investigating For-profit institutions. Kansas is doing better than any other state on Student Loan Repayment.
Branch Meeting
Barbara Gatewood showed beautiful Fiber Art prints given to the Textile Department at K State. All pertained to women.
Grow Green Day was announced by Tresa Landis to be April 20, 2018 at the Atrium at Colony Square.
State Meeting – Saturday April 28th in Wichita, Kansas. Forms were left at each seat by Nancy Bolsen. Tresa Landis announced she is driving and will take anyone who wants to go.
Mary Stamey announced that tomorrow is Equal Pay Day for AAUW members. She also read Equal Pay Day is on different days for various groups of women in our country. You can read these dates on our AAUW website.
Election of Officers- A big Thank You was given to Pat Hudgins, Dee Dee Brokesh and Marlene verBrugge for working on our Nomination Committee. Nominations for officers: President: Mary Stamey 2017-2019, President Elect: ????????? 2018-19 and then president 2019-2021, Vice-President for Programs: Julie Thomas, Mary Ng’ang’a and Usha Redi 2018 2020, Vice-President for Membership: Gail Chalman 2018-2020, Past President: Karen Tinkler 2017-2019, Secretary: Maurine Pruitt, Treasurer: Shauntia Ripee, Director-at-Large: Leena Chakrabarti 2018-2020, Director-at-Large: Karen McCulloh 2018-2020. Nominations were called from the floor- none received. Marilyn moved nominations cease and those listed be accepted. Connie Noble seconded it. Nominations were accepted. New officers were recognized.
A great Welcome back was given to Annelise Nguyen from K State University who was doing research on cancer cells in Maryland since October.
Our Next Board meeting is Monday May 7, 2018 at 4:00pm at Vista Drive In
Our next AAUW Branch meeting will be May 14, 2018 in the Community Room of Meadowlark Hills Retirement Village, 2121 Meadowlark Road. We will have a Silent Auction, Installation of Incoming Leadership, and Member Recognition. Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, March 8, 2018
Program- Our panelists for the evening were Rebecca Bahlmann, KSU Assistant Professor originally from The United Kingdom and Germany, Chi Ehie, USD 383 Teacher originally from Nigeria, Mary Ng’ang’a, Graphic Artist with GTM Sportswear from Kenya and Madai Rivera KSU Administrator from Mexico. The moderator was City Commissioner Usha Reddi originally from India. Question asked and responses were as follows.
Share your story about coming to the US; when, from where, why, etc. Compare/Contrast your home country and the US for your education and career opportunities.
Rebecca – from Germany is an accomplished photographer. She came in 1994 to the UK then to the US for graduate school in studio arts. The people of the US are less chauvinist and women are treated more equally here. She did not get a green card through a husband but got it on her own. She has been here since 1994.
Madai – from Mexico is now in the College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University and came with her parents to the United States while young. Her Aunt Rosa was already here. Her family came to Dodge City, Kansas. There is a lot of paper work and fees to come to the US. Her Dad did not want to come. They had lived in a city in Mexico that had 1.4 million people. She misses home and the big city life. Her Dad was a manager of Coke Cola in Mexico.
Mary – from Kenya, is a graphic artist who came in 2005 first to Missouri then to Manhattan, Kansas. Her parents decided to come to the United States for a better life. Part of what made the move easier was her Dad had a friend already here in the United States.
Chi – from Nigeria, arrived 1989 to the United States. Her husband was here first with a job. She was first in New York then Missouri and later she and her husband came to Kansas State University. She now teaches students in an elementary school in Manhattan, Kansas. The move was not difficult. Here she could do what she wanted to do.
Are there ceremonies/holiday traditions that you still-celebrate? What was culture shock?
Mary – Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Kenya. Many here enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving with a cooked turkey. The weather is a big difference as Kenya has no snow. Junior High student noticed her heavy accent. She had to show people who she was and that they also have an accent when in a different area. The wedding celebrations are like those at home in Kenya.
Chi –When she came to the US everyone from Nigeria give her advice stating that she needs to be careful as all Americas have guns. At the weddings in Nigeria the husband must pay for a dowry for the bride. A difference is that Thanksgiving is celebrated here which they now also like to celebrate. She had to teach her students that they would be told they have an accent if they are in Africa.
Rebecca – was told to drop her accent. Everyone says “Hello here in Manhattan, Kansas. In the big city they avoid contact with you. College shirts are not worn in England. It seemed strange to find so many people wearing the college shirts here. Thanksgiving is liked because it is not commercialized.
Madai -Her Dad sold their car while in Mexico. They found no taxis in Dodge City, Kansas. The school system is so different. Uniforms were worn to school in Mexico, not in Dodge City. Parents want the children to keep the Spanish language so it is required that they speak Spanish totally at home. They celebrate Thanksgiving but they mix turkey with Spanish food.
What are your thoughts on the US’S current climate on changing the immigration laws?
Rebecca– She knows that the DNA shows everyone’s ancestors came to the US. It is hard to get a green card. She had to get a letter from Scotland Yard showing that she had no criminal record. She is definitely against walls being built. People are alike more than they are different.
Madai – ditto – She has responsibility to get others informed about immigration laws. The undocumented persons are being treated worse each year in the United States. Some are graduating with 4.0 average every year from colleges.
I would ask “What would Jesus do?” She is worried about leaders who think wrong about undocumented students.
Mary – the harsh comment about immigration is totally awful. We need to inform people, don’t be harsh. We need to understand they come to gain skills and education so they can go back and improve situations in their country. People can go back and build real estate. Many though, find that they can live a better life in the United States.
Chi– the harsh comment was unfortunate. All children are very successful in the United States. Nigerians are into education. When speaking about immigration- she has to calm herself down. We can go back home and help them build schools. We can give to orphanages. We have to go to another country and see how things are being done.
How are the movements in your countries for women? What can we do to help?
Rebecca– Germany is not as bad as other countries. Women are in politics. Not many women are in business. US is still a leader in laws being passed. People in large cities are more welcoming to immigrants. Ask people to come to Thanksgiving. Attend birthdays of immigrant children. Include them in celebrations. In Manhattan we do not branch out to immigrants.
Madai– Women are just very much starting to be heard. Support the Dream Act. Show acts of kindness. Use pleasant tone of voices. Smile at people.
Mary– Political oppression exist greatly in Kenya. Listen to other people. Do not make judgments. .
Chi – We have a lot to do in Africa, women do not have a voice. Be a close family to others.
Usha – The US does have freedom of religion and education. Join a Home Away from Home organization in Manhattan. Host a student. Go to celebrations of others.
Our Next Board meeting is Monday April 2, 2018 at 4:00pm at Vista Drive.
Our next AAUW Branch meeting will be April 9, 2018 at the First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Avenue, at 6:00 pm. Dr. Amanda Gaulke, Assistant Professor of Economics at Kansas State University will speak on The Dynamics of Student Loan Repayment.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, February 12, 2018
Mary Stamey discussed officers that are needed for 2018-2020 year. We do need a Program or Co-Program Vice Presidents and a Membership Vice President. Other officers will continue serving for the next session.
Our guest Mary Nganga was introduced and she shared that she just completed her Masters last May and moved here for work as a Design employee at GTM Sportswear Headquarters here in Manhattan.
Program – Tresa Landis announced the Speaker of our Program is Dr. Jennifer Green, Administrative Director of the Riley County Public Health Department. Dr. Green oversees all health department programs and services and also collaborates with state and local community partners. She addressed “To Your Health: Where Does Riley County Rank?”
Dr. Green used much data to show where Riley County Ranks in Comparison to Douglas, Wyandotte and Geary Counties in regard to the health of our community. She used Data from the Robert Wood Johnson Count Health Ranking to show what Riley County’s Ranking is among Health Factors and Health Outcomes and later showed what our Health Department’s Action Plan involves. Information can be found at http:/www.countyhealthrankings.org. Riley County does presently rank 5th in Health Care out of 102 ranked counties. College students and military families are not always included in the rankings. Specifics were not given on what part they were not studied.
Health Factors studied were items such as adult obesity, physically inactive adults, adult smokers, excessive drinking, sexually transmitted infection, etc. Studied also were high school graduations, children in poverty, single parent households, violent crime rates, severe housing problems, access to recreational facilities and many more factors.
Health Outcomes studied were length of life, quality of life, poor physical health days called in, poor mental health days called in and low birth weight. Our rankings show that Riley County ranks low in adult obesity and high in College graduates at 82% compared to Douglas, Wyandotte, and Geary Counties while we, as a college town, ranked high on binge drinking and we ranked high in sexual transmitted infections.
The Action Plan of the Health Department does involve having Care before a Crisis happens.
- Access to coordination of Services is greatly needed. Increase awareness of resources through one complete community directory. This has been made now. A Community Care Team is needed so services are coordinated. Funding for a Crisis Stabilization Care Center is needed. We want people to be able to go there rather than wait for a complete crisis and end up being taken to the emergency room. Flint Hills Wellness Coalition will meet February 24th 1-4pm at Pottorf Hall, 1710 Avery Ave, Manhattan, KS. Register by February 19th on flinthillswellness.org or call the Health Department at 785-776-4779 ext. 7612. The Northview area will be the focus first. Child care will be the focus on February 27th at the Riley County Health Department.
- Access to better Mental Health Services is greatly needed.
- Better Transportation needs to be funded and increased around the city. The bus does go by the health department 4 times a day now. ATA bus has a new route now. Continue to have safe ways to get to schools. Provide more proper bike lanes.
Riley County does rank high in many areas but we also need to move forward in many areas. We have high quality of life. We have 100% of all-day kindergarten. We have good things and challenges of growth with NBAF (National Bio and Agro defense Facility) being developed. We do lack affordable, safe housing, accessible and affordable child care, and we lack good Mental Health care.
Mary Stamey announced that our next branch meeting is Thursday, March 8, 2018 (Note change of day and place) at the Holiday Inn at the Campus, 1641 Anderson Avenue, with a dinner. We will have a Panel of Local International Speakers. Our Next Board Meeting is Monday March 5, 2018 at 4:00pm at Vista Drive.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, January 8, 2018
Mary Stamey talked about the Great Decisions book that members of an AAUW group read a chapter from and discuss the topic at each of their meetings. Many great topics are studied such as Russian foreign policy, China foreign policy, etc. She invited all members to come to the meeting and share in the great topics of discussion. This meeting is the 2nd Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at Meadowlark Hills.
Claudia Jones introduced guests Scholarship Winners Angie Mitchell who is in Civil Engineering after spending some time as an art teacher, and Yanli Wang who is studying Human Nutrition with emphasis in herbal studies. Tresa Landis introduced our speaker Elena Aronson as a current Scholarship Winner and Alex Stong as guests. Mary Stamey introduced Reshma Antony, a student in agronomy studying sorghum and corn as a potential member.
Program – Our speaker Elena Aronson, originally from Chicago has worked in the US, London and Israel. She is presently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at K State University. Her goal is to protect society’s youngest members, our children. As Elena spoke about Gun Violence in the U.S. – A Public Health Crisis she revealed how it does impact public health. She showed a picture of a funeral of a young boy who had been killed by a gun. The people around the coffin were dressed in Power Man suits as he loved the group of Power Men. She showed statistics that on an Average Day 306 people in the United States are killed by a gun. Austin Texas is the only major city in the US without a mass shooting. In 2015, on average, about once a week a toddler shot someone in America. Guns in the house increase the rate of use of firearms used for accidental or wrongful shootings. Public outrage increased after the Florida mass shooting on June 23, 2016.
In December of 2017 lawmakers stepped backwards – They allowed those with concealed carry permits and concealed carry firearms to cross state lines thus allowing those carrying concealed guns to circumvent the stricter laws that some states hold. A suggestion was made that a viral social media post be made that shows the absurdity of our gun laws and compare them to our abortion laws.
Kansas has very few restrictions with guns. Concealed Carrying (with some restrictions) allows concealed carrying of handguns even on college campuses. No permit/license is required for concealed carry. Possession – no restrictions. In Kansas and Indiana – you can sell your gun to anyone. Changes are needed. Strictly enforce minimum age for the buying of guns. Have shooting and safety tests. Registration fees for each gun is needed. You have a right to ask those people you visit “Do you have Safe Storage for your guns? Is it unloaded? Is your ammunition away from the guns?” We must take guns away from those who are mentally unstable. Make guns less accessible – only way to decrease shootings. Elect people who will vote against concealed carry. State Representatives who vote against the concealed carry law have been threatened. Will we have to boycott places who sell the guns? Now there are background checks at a day care on campus of parents and anyone who will pick up a child. NRA ads on TV are so scary that they make you feel you need to carry a gun to protect yourself. We must elect new legislatures who will vote against concealed carrying of a gun on our college campuses.
Tresa Landis announced that our next branch meeting is February 12, 2018 at First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Avenue, at 6:00 pm. Our speaker Jennifer Green, Director of the Riley County Public Health Department will address “To Your Health: Where Does Riley County Rank?”
Our Next Board Meeting is Monday February 5, 2018 at 4:00 pm at Vista Drive.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, December 11, 2017
This Branch meeting was on Monday, December 11, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, 801 Leavenworth, at 6:00 pm. Social Time was held first with refreshments and visiting with friends.
Program: Holiday Music Program -The Church Ladies. This group was one of harmony based acoustic production which consisted of three ladies who sang and played several instruments. They included Joan Nelson, Pastor Katie Collins, and Mary Louise Stall. Everyone enjoyed the entire session of Christmas songs. The songs included “Mary’s Child”, “Celtic Christmas Song”, “O Come Emanuel”, “Mary Did You Know?”, “Hot Chocolate”, “Stay Humble and Kind”, and “My Peace”.
After a tremendous Christmas program all members enjoyed a fun gift exchange. Four new members Becky Ward, Mary Guindon, Karen Hummel and April Grogan were among those present. Note the change in location of our next branch meeting. Our next Branch meeting will be on Monday, January 8, 2018 Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1110 College Avenue, at 6:00 pm. The program will be How Gun Violence Impacts Public Health with speaker Elena Aronson, 2017-2018 AAUW Scholarship Recipient pursuing a Master’s in Public Health.
Note the change in day of our next board meeting. Our Next Board Meeting is Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 4:00 pm at Vista Drive Inn
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, November 13, 2017
Tresa Landis Introduced first our special guests Mayor Linda Morse, Phyllis Fitzgerald, and commissioner Usha Reddi. Syndey Carlin was also recognized as a special guest.
Our speaker Traci Scott has been the 1st Infantry Division regional officer at Fort Riley until recently and is now at Fort Hood with General Paul Funk working with legislators and developing partnerships with universities. Her Bachelor’s degree was in broadcast journalism and political science from Howard University. Her Master’s degree from George Washington University was in Political Management. She is a civilian working with the army. She plans the itinerary for the generals at many different places. Traci began her presentation by stating that all views given this evening were not of the Army, they are totally her views on the subject of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
After a convention in Washington D.C., she was riding the train to Arlington when she witnessed a girl being harassed. The girl was stone quiet and shaking terribly. Traci had to tell the girl to move to another car and told the man to quit harassing the young girl. He did quit harassing the young girl. Traci has learned thorough her work that if you See Something you Say Something. You must Find Your Voice.
When she was sexually harassed two different times, once she told only a girlfriend. She had not Found Her Voice. After 40 years old, she Found her Voice. She had received bad emails then a note on the car. When he didn’t stop, she went to the group on base and spoke out. The harassment did stop. She fought back. The system worked for her.
Traci stressed that you must Find Your Voice and help those who haven’t found their voice. Traci emphasized to tell the person harassing you – I am a human being – you can’t trample over me!!
Traci supported her input with much data about sexual harassment and sexual assault. A few of them are listed. One out of every five college women will be sexually assaulted at some point in their life. 4 out of 5 know their assaulter. Nine out of 10 do not report the assault. Why? Fear of reprisal (retaliation) 20%. Reported but not to police 4%. My fault often felt – assault is not reported. What can be done? With the Perpetrator education and mentoring can done. To Find Your Voice speak out, speak up, tell your story and tell somebody. To Watch Out For One Another watch verbal cues and body language. No body heard her before. Now She is Being Heard.
During a question and answer period many thoughts were brought forward. Own Your Space, Project Power and Mature Women Must Find Their Voice among others were noted. Men often in Control, often they are men you know. Do not give the men the Control and Power. For after a sexual assault is reported two nurses in Riley County are now being trained to do the testing and appear in court. If not trained properly or completely the court system will hassle them down completely when they report. In Riley County the victim does not have to go to the emergency room now. They now go to a place in the maternity ward which is much more private. Do Find Your Voice.
No formal Branch meeting was held. Thank you to the Women of K-State and AAUW at K-State student organization for sponsoring this meeting with us and getting us our location at the K-State Union Flint Hills Room. Approximately 45 members were present. Note change of the location and time of our next meeting. Our next Branch meeting will be on Monday, December 11, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, 801 Leavenworth, at 6:00 pm. The program will be Holiday Music Program – The Church Ladies. This group was a big hit last year!
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, October 9, 2017
Karen Hawes, a consultant in the field of Nursing presented our program for the October 9, 2017 meeting. She is now at K Stat after working as an Instructor at Washburn University and Wichita State University. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing with emphasis in family practice. Her program covered the Title X Family Planning Program: What You Need to Know. She emphasized a major break-through being the LARC (Long Acting Reproductive Contraception) Program for Birth Control among low income people.
Title X Reproductive Health and Family Planning Program in Kansas provides services such as mammograms, vaccinations, etc. to low income people. In 2012 The Affordable Care Act made this available for hard to reach populations and for everyone in the United States. No proof of citizenship is asked for. Discounts are based on income of the person. Some counties in Kansas collaborate together for services because a 40% match of Federal Funds given is required of the county. Some counties cannot afford the matching funds, the personnel (Registered Nurse) or they lack a large need in the county. Riley County in Kansas has two places providing these LARC services. They are the Kanza Clinic and the Riley County Health Department.
The most popular contraceptives include the IUD (Inter Urinary Device) $200, the Diaphragm $25, and the Birth Control Pills $25 for the written prescription and then the person must pay for each prescription given. With the LARC program the Copper IUD is used by most women. Because this type of contraceptive needs a person’s decision to take it out, it is 99% effective while others are less effective. Sterilization is an option but very, very costly with the anesthesiologist, nurse, etc. being required. Of all the contraceptives in the LARC program the IUDs are most effective even though they cost much more.
The Colorado Family Planning Initiative from 2009 – 2015 was funded by Mrs. Warren Buffet for 27 million dollars. With these types of contraceptives used, Colorado had 50% less pregnancies compared to times prior. When the program discontinued receiving funding in 2016 private agencies worked together with the women of the State and got the money provided. Other states are now using the plan for their Family Planning Programs. Riley County didn’t want the program but 100 people showed up at a commission meeting last year and after hearing the people they accepted funding but are still not accepting spending on certain contraceptives. Work still needs to be done in this area for Riley County.
How do we proceed from here for our Family Planning Program? 1. Women must know that it is a critical decision to have the LARC item, such as the IUD removed. 2. Staying on Birth Control must be the default.
Our next Branch meeting is November 13, 2017 at the Kansas State University Student Union, in the Flint Hills Room, 7:00 pm. The Program is Take Off Your Hoop Earrings Before You Put On Your Gas Mask: A Civilian Chick’s Survival Guide to a War Zone. This is also sponsored by the Women of K- State and AAUW at K – State Student Organization. Refreshments and networking will happen after the program. Note change of time and location for our meeting. Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, September 11, 2017
AAUW members were joined by Dr. Ellyn R. Mulcahy, Director of the Master in Public Health Program at Kansas State University. She spoke about Educating the Next Generation of Public Health Providers. In May of 2016 Dr. Mulcahy took her position at Kansas State University. While her job consists of teaching, and doing research, her main job is finding jobs for her students. We are fortunate that 75% of the students graduating in the Master in Public Health stay in Kansas. Now there are 55% of the Public Health workers 65 years old and they will be retiring soon. This remains a good prospect for our young students graduating in the Master in Public Health program.
The Master in Public Health program at Kansas State includes the study of Infectious Disease and Zoonoses (diseases that can be transmitted to humans from animals), Food Safety and Biosecurity, Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Physical Activity. The students will pick one of these areas as their study of emphasis. This Master program will include 42 credit hours with 15 or 17 hours of core course study, 20 – 22 credit hours in required courses and electives in area of emphasis, and with 6 or 9 hours of research/field experience. The field or community project for the Masters program is done with a public health practitioner. This field of experience will take the student beyond Kansas State into Kansas areas, different states and different countries. This community or field experience will help the student greatly as he or she applies for a job in the Public Health area.
Working within the Public Health area is going to require study of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, etc. in both the causes and prevention of these diseases. As the students study the diseases, they will have to consider five areas. These areas are Economic Stability, Education, Neighborhood & Built Environment, Health and Health Care, and Social and Community Context. Large amounts of data will have to be collected on whole populations in the state, in the country and around the globe with the goal of Public Health being creating better health for all. A great task is getting full commitment from everyone affected by the programs to participate wisely.
Our next meeting is October 9, 2017 at the First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Avenue, at 6:00 pm. The speaker will be Karen Hawes, Consultant bringing us up to date on the Title X Family Planning Program: What You Need to Know. Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.