Club News, The Manhattan Mercury
American Association of University Women
Manhattan Branch Meeting, March 8, 2024
The AAUW Manhattan Branch hosted its 9th annual International Women’s Day celebration on March 8, 2024, at the Holiday Inn at the Campus. More than 70 attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner ($25) followed by a panel of international women who discussed their experiences at home and settling into life in the United States.
AAUW President and Moderator Usha Reddi opened the forum by noting the importance of IWD, thanking the planning committee, and introducing the panelists. She also thanked the event co-sponsors: the Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies; the English Language Program, Office of International Programs; and the K-State Libraries. IWD is a global day honoring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The theme for the 2024 year is Inspire Inclusion.
The IWD panelists were Agnieszka Lasko, a graduate student at Kansas State University studying piano pedagogy (Poland); Dr. Ana Lucia Mendonca, the Executive Director of the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team, (Brazil); Dr. Claudia Petrescu, KSU’s First Vice-Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the University’s Graduate School (Romania); and Vajiheh Shahsavari, a graduate student in curriculum and instruction at KSU and President of the Iranian Student Association (Iran).
Following dinner, Usha introduced the four panelists who shared their stories of leaving their homelands and facing the challenges of beginning anew in the U.S. They talked about integrating into the community, traditions they continue from their homelands, and gender equity. Differences were expressed by the panelists on the status, freedoms, childcare, and opportunities for women. They were asked about their perceptions of the political climate in the U.S. and reinforced the importance of voting.
A book of poems by women and girls entitled And Everything Will Be Glad to See You was given to the Manhattan Public Library in honor of the four panelists. The panelists were presented flowers and AAUW paperweights as gifts of appreciation.
Teresa Landis announced the availability of four AAUW $1,500 incentive grants for non-traditional KSU students through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.
The April 8 Manhattan Branch meeting will be held at the Manhattan Public Library at 6:00 p.m. RSVP for a box dinner, $15, to manhattanksaauw@gmail.com. Speaker Rana Johnson, KSU VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging will discuss integrating DEIB into campus culture. Learn more about AAUW at http://manhattan-ks.aauw.net//
Club News, The Manhattan Mercury, March, 2024
American Association of University Women
Manhattan Branch Meeting, February 12, 2024
The AAUW Branch meeting was held on February 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Manhattan Public Library in person and livestreamed on Facebook. Attendees enjoyed a box meal from Radina’s Bakehouse. President Usha Reddi opened the meeting with announcements.
Mary Stamey announced a book will be donated to the Manhattan Public Library in honor of the panelists, The Good Girls Revolt. And, she introduced the speakers: Kristin Brighton, New Boston LLC: Stephanie Johnson, Maximum Performance Physical Fitness; Heather Hnizdii, Flight Crew Coffee; and Mary Fisher, Gaia Salon.
Dede Brokesh moderated the panel discussion, posing questions to the panelists. The panelists commented on how they got started in their businesses, the challenges and opportunities they encountered, the role of mentors and those who encouraged them, and advice for young women who may want to start a business. Each woman had a different story and path for reaching their current position/situation. They had varied backgrounds and experiences, and they each operate very different types of businesses. Most agreed that you learn as you go through each day of operation.
Panelists had advice for young women that would be useful for anyone wanting to start a business: Embrace change, have clarity, be fearless, enjoy the ride, find a good accountant, set up a corporation, keep family out, build a business that can live beyond you, and be sure to evaluate the need before you get started as a good idea doesn’t always meet needs.
The next branch meeting will be our International Women’s Day event on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Holiday Inn at the Campus. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. and the Public Forum is at 7:00 p.m. Dinner is $25 and can be reserved by emailing: manhattanksaauw@gmail.com by March 1. Select roast pork or vegetarian lasagna.
The panelists are from Poland, Brazil, Romania, and Iran. They are Agnieszka Lasko, graduate student in piano pedagogy at Kansas State University; Ana Lucia Mendonca, Executive Director of the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team; Dr. Claudia Petrescu, First Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the KSU Graduate School; and Vajiheh Shahsavari, graduate student and President of the Iranian Graduate Students Association.
The event co-sponsors are the Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies; the English Language Program, Office of International Programs; and the K-State Libraries.
Club News, The Manhattan Mercury, February , 2024
American Association of University Women
Manhattan Branch Meeting, January 8, 2024
The AAUW Manhattan Branch meeting was held on January 8, 2024, at 6:00pm via Zoom due to stormy weather conditions. President Usha Reddi conducted a short business meeting followed by the program. Usha welcomed our guest speaker, Director Brian Peete and Captain Erin Freidline of the RCPD. No guests were present.
Susanne Siepl-Coates, program co-VP, introduced our two guests from the RCPD, Director Brian Peete and Captain Erin Freidline to address the topic, “Policies and Approaches Regarding the Protection of Women in Our Community.” Director Peete has been with RCPD one year and Captain Freidline since 2000 where she started as a Patrol Officer. She now heads Investigations. Both have extensive training and experience in law enforcement. Ronnie Grice, Assist. Vice President/Chief Kansas State University Police Department had also planned to participate n the program, but he was called away due to a family funeral.
Director Peete used a PowerPoint presentation to provide information about the mission and values of the RCPD and to provide data regarding personnel and crime. He and Captain Freidline discussed various topics throughout the presentation. The PowerPoint presentation slides can be found on the local AAUW website below.
The overall mission of the RCPD is to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for the citizens. The RCPD is consolidated to serve the city of Manhattan as well as all of Riley County. It is comprised of 223 people including law enforcement personnel and all support positions.
A Victims Services unit helps victims navigate the system. For victims of sexual assault and domestic violence this is important to help give them some power to assist with the investigation. Officers and the public are encouraged to become involved in ways to break cycles of violence. The public is encouraged to get involved. If you see something, say something.
Red Flag laws were discussed. However, Kansas does not have such a law. A red flag law is a gun violence prevention law that permits a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms from the possession of someone who they believe may present a danger to themselves or another.
The RCPD has obtained grant funds for victim advocacy and training. Funds are from the Violence Against Women Act. They are also going to receive training from the FBI on dealing with sex trafficking. High technology is making it more difficult to locate victims and perpetrators.
This was an informative session presented by two very knowledgeable professionals. The book, Girls Who Run the World, was purchased for donation to the Manhattan Public Library.
The next branch meeting is February 12, 2024, at the Manhattan Public Library at 6:00pm. The program, “Panel of Manhattan Business Owners,” will feature a panel of four Manhattan businesswomen. For more information visit https//manhattan-ks.aauw.net/ or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com
Club News, The Manhattan Mercury, January 20, 2024
American Association of University Women
Manhattan Branch Meeting, December 11, 2023
The December 11, 2023, meeting of AAUW Manhattan Branch was held at Prairie Star Restaurant, Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan. President Usha Reddi opened the meeting, welcoming all, and reviewing branch business including International Women’s Day in March, the AAUW Five-Star Award, and the greatest needs donations which go to scholarships for women. The January meeting will be the RCPD Police Chief and the KSU Campus Police Chief presenting program on ensuring the safety of women in the community. Reid Petty, district director of Representative Tracey Mann’s Manhattan office, and Stephanie Rose, KAWSE program coordinator, attended at AAUW’s invitation.
Lynn Ewanow introduced Aaron Estabrook, founder of Manhattan Area Resettlement Team (MART). Aaron has a political science degree from KSU, studied counterterrorism and conflict resolution, served in the US Army Reserve and was combat deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. He is currently the executive director of the Manhattan Housing Authority and has a history of service to the community in board positions and city offices. Accompanying Aaron were Dr. Ana Mendonca-Zarling, MART Executive Director, Virginia Rodriguez, MART program director, and Susan Adamchak, Board Chair of MART.
Aaron gave the background of the circumstances that led to the formation of MART, which included the Afghan War; the relationship with his colleague/translator in Afghanistan; and the federal program Operation Allies Welcome.
A film showed the sudden fall of Kabul in 2021 and the desperate situations of the Afghan people. Aaron asked the audience what would you do? Would you flee? Would you stay? The circumstances called for immediate action in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security led the whole-government reaction and approach to the Afghan distress. In Manhattan, citizens, local government, and the university all stepped forward to help, joining state and federal agencies. The streamlined whole-government approach established in the beginning of the crisis aided in forming systems now in place for resettling any people who are fleeing war-zone violence.
The original 200+ Manhattan citizens who volunteered to help the Afghan allies contained a core of 10 to 15 people who became the board of MART. This board hired an executive director, Dr. Mendonca-Zarling, who said that MART partners with the Kansas Office for Refugees and receives federal funding. MART is expecting families from the Congo, Venezuela, Nepal, Cuba, Haiti and Afghanistan. She introduced Virginia Rodriguez who discussed MART’s main programs: employability support, transportation, referring clients to services such as English language training and job training, and promoting good health. MART in Manhattan is now an official federal resettlement agency.
At the end of the presentation, Mary Stamey presented a book, The Forgotten Fairytales of Brave and Brilliant Girls, to be given to the Manhattan Public Library in honor of MART and their speakers.
The next AAUW Manhattan Branch meeting will be Monday, January 8, 2024 at the Manhattan Public Library. Members will meet at 6:00 p.m. for an optional supper followed by the 7:00 p.m. meeting, in-person and on Zoom
Club News, The Manhattan Mercury, December 23, 2023
American Association of University Women
Manhattan Branch Meeting, November 13, 2023
The AAUW Branch met on November 13, 2023, at the Manhattan Public Library at 6:00 p.m. Mary Stamey opened the meeting with introductions of guests and new members. The book A Girl’s Bill of Rights was purchased for donation to the Manhattan Public Library. The meeting provided an opportunity to meet legislators, share information on AAUW, and foster communications. Kansas House Rep. Mike Dodson, Dist. 67; Rep. Sydney Carlin, Dist. 66; Rep. Kenny Titus, Dist. 51; Kansas Senator Usha Reddi, Dist. 22; US Senator Roger Marshall’s Staff Assist. Abbi Rankin; and US Congressman Tracey Mann’s Staff Assist. Ana Rojas-Plumberg attended and provided a panel presentation.
Tresa Landis, AAUW State Board Member, gave an outstanding presentation on AAUW’s history, mission, values, and priorities. AAUW’s mission is gender equity and economic security. Nationally, AAUW is one of the largest funders of women’s graduate education. AAUW focuses on economic security, education, and advocacy at local, state, and federal levels. Priority issues include removing bias from education, fighting for fair pay, leadership development, health equity, and public education. The local branch was founded in 1920. We offer scholarships to KSU women, and we sponsor STEM workshops for girls. Our branch meets monthly with informative programs, and our signature annual event is to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.
For the next Kansas legislative session, Mike Dodson identified issues to address including water, property tax, workforce housing, Medicaid expansion, and county home rule. Usha Reddi noted a bill that had passed to remove the statute of limitations for child abuse cases. Upcoming issues include public vs private education, healthcare, reproductive rights, broadband expansion, safe childcare, special education, and food insecurity. Sydney Carlin is supporting tax relief for residential homeowners, conflict of interest measures for legislators, and clarification of the stand your ground law. Kenny Titus is working on groundwater issues with a new law that provides improved groundwater management and funds to upgrade aging water systems in cities and counties.
At the federal level, Ana Rojas-Plumberg noted that Tracey Mann, representing 2/3 of Kansas in KS 01, serves on the House Agricultural Committee and will focus on the next Farm Bill. Abbi Rankin indicated that Senator Roger Marshall is also working on the Farm Bill. Another priority is fentanyl. He supports the Cooper Davis Act, introduced in the Senate, and the campaign “One Pill Can Kill’.
The next branch meeting is December 11, 2023, at Meadowlark Hills in the Prairie Star, 6:00 p.m. For dinner. The program Manhattan Area Resettlement Team (MART): An Introduction and Update will be presented by Aaron Estabrook, Board Member and Founder. There will be a holiday celebration and free will shower. For more information visit https://manhattan-ks.aauw.net/ or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.
Club News, The Manhattan Mercury, November , 2023
American Association of University Women
Manhattan Branch Meeting, October 9, 2023
The AAUW Manhattan Branch met on October 9, 2023, at the Manhattan Public Library.President Usha Reddi opened the meeting and invited non-members to see Membership Chair Chris Herald to join AAUW.
Members Sujatha Prakash and Martha Mather volunteered at the League of Women Voters candidate forum on October 7. Usha encouraged members to use the linkson KMAN and Facebook to prepare for voting in November. AAUW and LWV will join in the KSU Homecoming Parade.
Martha Mather who announced the October 13th lecture on gender and equity in the sciences titled “Changing the Climate in Science”, sponsored in part by AAUW. University of North Carolina Professor Laurie McNeil’s stance on gender and equity meshes with AAUW’s priorities and focus. Dr. McNeil will later speak on the relationship of physics and music, and also meet with AAUW members to discuss women joining the science and engineering fields.
Usha reminded members of our International Women’s Day event in March. She will present this event at the regional AAUW conference.
Dede Brokesh introduced the evening’s speaker, Candice McIntosh, the executive director of Girls on the Run of the Flint Hills. Her aim is to enable girls to recognize their inner power to build rich lives with unlimited possibilities.
The GOTR program helps girls grow up to be empowered, successful women. The GOTR board members and coaches all reflect our diverse community.
Usha and Mary Stamey presented Candice with the book, Rebel Girls Champions, Tales of 25 Unstoppable Athletes, to be given to the library in honor of GOTR and Candice’s program.
Next month’s branch meeting will be at Manhattan Public Library on November 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m. for optional supper and 7:00 p.m. for the in-person and Zoom meeting.
Club News, The Manhattan Mercury, October 28, 2023
American Association of University Women
Manhattan Branch Meeting, September 11, 2023
The AAW Manhattan Branch meeting was held on September 11 at the Manhattan Public Library. Attendees enjoyed a meal, followed by announcements by President Usha Reddi on upcoming programs co-sponsored by AAUW: LWV Candidate Forum set for October 7 at the Manhattan Public Library: 1:00-3:00 is City Commission Forum, 3:30-5:30, Board of Education Forum. National Fellowships and Grants are available with applications deadline of November 15. Co-VP of Programs Dede Brokesh introduced Robbin Cole and Elaine Johannes to present “Behavioral Health. Resources for Women.” The talks focused on community mental health, suicide, and loneliness.
Robbin Cole is CEO of Pawnee Mental Health Services which serves ten counties and reaches 7,000 clients annually. However, services are vastly under-resourced to meet current needs. Kansas is ranked 51st nationally in terms of overall mental health, as determined by Mental Health America. In 2021, the Kansas Legislature passed the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics model into law. Cs are a federal Medicaid model that integrates physical and mental health models. Pawnee Mental Health was provisionally certified as a CCBHC on July 1 and will work toward full certification by January 1, 2025. CCBHCs will cover nine core service areas. A new benefit is that the model will pay Kansas community mental health centers on a cost basis, based on the actual cost of services to meet the needs of the community.
Elaine Johannes is the Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Professor and is also a KSU Extension Specialist in Youth Development. A report on the status of women in Kansas noted that women undergo a lot of stress from work, family, lost jobs, and the increase in numbers of women living alone. An alert from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment noted the high suicide attempt rate for women ages 19-44. An Interpersonal Theory of Suicide highlights loneliness, being a burden to family or workplace, having the capacity to kill oneself, and the belief that it is a logical response to one’s situation. These factors combined may lead one to attempt suicide. Loneliness is an epidemic in the United States according to the Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy. Our relationships are important to both our physical and mental health.
A solution to loneliness is to find ways for people to be engaged in community. Volunteering is one such way. We can create more places that bring people together to enhance feelings of belonging. Social networks are valuable. Strong ties such as close friends and family are obvious, but even weak ties with casual acquaintances are helpful. And we can learn how to belong. Connections can be made by appearing friendly, questioning and learning something new, and finding joy in the novelty of meeting people.
The next branch meeting is October 9 at the Manhattan Public Library. For more information visit https://manhattan-ks.aauw.net/ or contact manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.