News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, March 9, 2020
AAUW Branch Meeting March 9, 2020, at Holiday Inn at the Campus at 6:00 p.m.
The program was Annual International Women’s Day Celebration, with the Panel of Local International Speakers.
Welcome: by Marlene VerBrugge.
Introduction of Guests: Many guests joined AAUW members for the program after dinner.
Announcements:
19th Amendment Celebrations.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 14, 2020 Meet near the Pavilion in City Park at 12:00 for a 1:00 parade. We are number 25. Members wear white if possible. Sashes will be handed out to those marching in the parade. We will have 2 fire engine trucks with children on them wearing sashes also. We will carry posters and a large banner. Karen Hummel and Barbara Gatewood modeled the sashes and held the large banner for members to see.
Program: Annual International Women’s Celebration!
The Panel of Local International Speakers included Marianne Korten, K State professor of mathematics and a native of Argentina; Kelly Shunje, doctoral student in chemistry and a native of Zimbabwe; China native Fanny Fang, a partner at Asian Market and young business professional; and South Korean native Sunny Song who is a STEM educator at Ogden Elementary with USD 383.
Usha Reddi acted as moderator.
Introductions – See notes above for the panelists’ work and study in Manhattan and Ogden.
Marianne Korten from Argentina has been in Manhattan since 2000. She traveled to many countries before coming to Manhattan. She introduced her triplet daughters who are 10 years old.
Fanny Fang from China reported that her parents came separately to the U.S. by boat and later meet in U.S. Fanny was born in Ohio. She, her sister, mom, and dad moved to Manhattan in 1999.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe came to college here in 2018. She brought her roommate with her to our celebration.
Sunny Song from South Korea went to a teachers college in Korea. She was a teacher in 2005. She attended our celebration with her husband, son, and daughter. Her husband is presently in the military.
Question 1
What do you think the major difference between your country and the U.S. was when you moved here?
Marianne Korten from Argentina missed the colors and found that mothers are not in high standing here. She did notice similarities in the wind in both countries.
Fang from China came to New York University with a broom and butcher knife for dicing everything. Everyone thought she was strange but the women of China always had those as tokens of their hard work. She feels the biggest difference is the individualism here compared to the community feel in China.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe felt the biggest difference is the addressing of superiors by their first name, not sir or madam. Also the sugar level is very high here. Cookies and cakes are everywhere. She did recognize that she liked that here we have teams of workers to share ideas among.
Sunny Song from South Korea feels that in Korea teachers were considered superior to others. In the U.S. teaching is not thought of as a high level job.
Question 2: Please compare gender equity in both countries.
Marianne Korten from Argentina stated that the Women’s Vote happened before World War II. In Argentina they have equal work for equal pay and paid vacations. She stressed that women are expensive workers in Argentina with their pay and benefits.
Fanny Fang from China noted that International Women’s Day is celebrated on the same day here as it is in China. She stressed that every woman is a hard worker. All women participate in China even while they are helping the family. When you are in China you meet everyone in the village. A woman is the voice of the entire village.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe stated that in Zimbabwe women work as hard as men but are not paid as well as the men.
Women are starting to occupy the government but still feel they always need approval by a man. Women are progressing with their independence though.
Sunny Song from South Korea noted that in the 60’s and 70’s women’s education was not important but in the 80’s women started to be treated as equal to men. In jobs women are not treated as well as men except in government jobs.
Question 3: How do you practice your religion?
Marianne Korten from Argentina stated that her father was Atheist and her mother was a Methodist. Marianne has no religion.
Fanny Fang from China related that her mom practices Buddhism. There are shrines in the peoples’ houses in China. They celebrate the Lunar New Year when they thank the gods for their great harvest and pray for a good harvest next year. She went to a Catholic school in the U.S.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe noted that the main religions in Zimbabwe are Islam and Christian.
Sunny Song from South Korea related that there are many Christians with many being Catholic.
Question 4: Did you face discrimination in your field of work?
Marianne Korten from Argentina stated that she was the only woman in the mathematic department for many years.
Fanny Fang from China said that she didn’t notice discrimination in her business area. While at NYU she found someone wanted her to be a feminist. When she found out what it meant she did declare she was a feminist. She was the only woman in most of her NYU classes but she didn’t feel discrimination there. While working at her parents restaurant when she was younger someone called asked if the restaurant cooked dog or cats. She didn’t have an answer then but now she certainly has an answer.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe stated that she has not noticed discrimination here. Her advisor at K-State is very supportive.
Sunny Song from South Korea related that it was very hard to get a job here. She taught seven years in China and has a Master’s degree but she was not picked to teach in Manhattan at first. She became very discouraged. A principal had to support her in her search for a good job. The 6th graders were very difficult with the first job she got. Now she is working with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program in Ogden. In 2014 and 2018 her students went to state in Math!!! She gets great family support.
Questions from members
Question – We are celebrating the 100th Anniversary celebration of the 19th amendment that allowed women to vote. How long did it take women in your country to get to vote?
Marianne Korten from Argentina said they had much trouble. She said they have secret voting with closed windows and a person can’t wear political signs on clothes near the polls. It is a very clean process. Approximately 1991 women were allowed to vote.
Fanny Fang from China said her parents always vote.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe stated that since 1980 women have been able to vote. The majority in parliament are men.
Sunny Song from South Korea reported it is a special day in Korea. Schools are closed on voting day. They don’t show how many men and how many women vote.
Question – We have Thanksgiving and the 4th of July celebrations. What do you have in your country that is similar?
Marianne Korten from Argentina said that they celebrate Constitution Day, 1810 on May 25th every year. There is not Thanksgiving type celebration in Argentina.
Fanny Fang from China said her parents do have holidays but didn’t name them.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe reported that there is not a Thanksgiving type celebration. She enjoys it in the U.S. In 1980 an Independence was celebrated and is celebrated each year.
Sunny Song from South Korea reported that August 15th is their Independence Day celebration. Thanksgiving is in the fall but they follow the lunar calendar so it is on different dates.
Question – Is the emphasis on sports in your country as we have it here in the U.S.?
Marianne Korten from Argentina stated definitely “yes”. Soccer is very rowdy.
Fanny Fang from China feels they are more obsessed with sports in China. The professional sports are very competitive.
With soccer they buy teams from other countries. University sports are not a money business.
Shunje Kelly from Zimbabwe says that football (soccer) players are considered failures in life. Colleges have just a few sports. She does like the vive of football and basketball games.
Sunny Song from South Korea reported that Ice Skating and Gymnastics are the greatest sports in South Korea. Most student study 12 hours a day. Most do not grow up with sports. Girls do not do sports except ice skating and gymnastics. The men in Korea do soccer.
Question – Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Marianne Korten from Argentina feels she will stay living in Manhattan and she shared that her triplet girls are doing very well here.
Fanny Fang from China thanks her parents for everything they have taught her. She feels traveling will be big part of her life. Kansas will be home. She wants to base in Manhattan. The local community contributes to the Asian market success. She supports inclusion. She asked us to check in with our Asian friends. She sees the coronavirus as a socio-economic issue.
Kelly Shunje from Zimbabwe knows she wants to give back to under privileged children such as HIV orphans.
Sunny Song from South Korea knows she will be here for a while as her husband is in the military. Then the family will go to Korea for 3 to 5 years. She also wants to see Hawaii and Texas.
Marlene gave the speakers each a gift. Chris Herald gave a set of flowers to each speaker.
Mary Stamey gave our speakers a book titled “Anthology of Amazing Women, Trailblazers Who Dared to be Different”. Great book choice, Mary!!!
Next Board and Branch meetings: Our next AAUW Board meeting is April 6, 2020 at Vista Drive-In at 5:30 pm.Our next AAUW Branch meeting is on April 13, 2020 at Little Apple Brewery, starting at 6:00 pm. Cost is $13.00. The program is Navigating the Sandwich Generation by Jayme Minton, Support Services Director, Meadowlark Hills.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaawu@gmailcom.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, February 10, 2020
AAUW Branch Meeting February 10, 2020, at Little Apple Brewery Co. at 6:00 p.m.
Welcome: by Marlene VerBrugge. There were 24 people present and our speakers Diane Eickhoff and Aaron Barnhart.
Introduction of Guests: The guests were the following: Linda Morse and Kerri Keller from the League of Women Voters, Caronda Moore, and Gary Coates.
Announcements:
Joan Strickler – History tidbit for 100th Branch Anniversary – In 1926 Van Zile Hall was built as an all-female hall on the K-State campus. It became coeducational in the fall of 1968. The Hall was named for Mary Pierce Van Zile, former
Dean of Home Economics and Dean of Women. The Manhattan branch of AAUW contributed $1,000 to the construction of Van Zile Hall. It is a considerable amount of money at any time let alone what dollar values in the 1920’s were. Mary Van Zile became an active and enthusiastic member of the AAUW Branch serving as Branch President from 1930 to 1932.
Change in dinner payment – we will pay at the beginning with a check or cash. That is preferred but they will accept a credit card but it will be processed at the end of the meeting.
Scholarship information – Chris Herald – The STEM applications due date for middle school students for the Stem Summer Institute will be Friday, March 6, 2020. Seventh grade girls will attend the Summer Institute. Two AAUW scholarships will be given for students attending the Institute.
Community Fair Announcement – The event was very successful!!!! Thank you to those who worked the event. Chris brought a great Stem project to the event. Three remaining names are on the sign-up sheet. Mary asked for members to contact these people who are potential members.
International Women’s Day – Usha – see note below – Note change in location and cost.
The state conference – Tresa announced it is April 25, 2020 at the Kansas City, Kansas Community College. Kansas City, Kansas Community College has a great AAUW student organization. One of the students from there received the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) scholarship last year. Registration forms for the NCCWSL scholarship will be out later.
Committee members are working on the 19th Amendment celebration.
Other Announcements –
Chris Herald also reported that a New York Times article featured Christina Koch and Jessica Meir who executed the first all Women space walk in October. Now Christina has another record. After performing 6 space walks she set a duration record for length of time in space at 328 days. She conducted various research projects. Not enough information is known about radiation effects on women in space, so the research continues.
Program:
Usha introduced the speakers Diane Eickhoff and Aaron Barnhart, Speaker/Author, Humanities Kansas who spoke on “The Long Road to Suffrage, How Kansas Women Gained the Vote, 1859-1912”. A Humanities Kansas Banner was shown. It read “Kansas Must Not Fail”
Kansas was an important state in the Suffrage Movement. All of the first states to pass the 19th amendment were western states. The leaders used it as a recruitment tool. Kansas had the longest campaign. With Suffrage movements, the ultimate goal was women getting to vote in federal, state and local elections. Clarina Nichols was a newspaper editor from Vermont. She came west to make sure Kansas didn’t vote to be a slave state. The Free State battle was brewing. It took four tries before they voted to be a free state. She is also considered the First Champion for Kansas Women’s Right to Vote.
Women had few rights in 1848.
Married women could not own or control property. By law husbands controlled wives’ wages. Mothers lacked equal custody rights. All public universities barred women. Trades & professions were mostly off limits. Inheritance laws discriminated against widows. Women could not serve on juries or in public office. Women could not vote.
1859, 1867, 1894, and 1912 were the beginnings of different campaigns to pass the 19th Amendment.
1859 First Campaign for Women – Women wanted Rights for Kansas Women written into the Constitution.
What the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention gave women:
Right to own inherited property. Equal access to higher education. Equal custody rights with fathers, and …drumroll please… The right to vote in school district elections!!!!!!! A first in the nation! !!!!!!
1867 Second Kansas Campaign for Women –
Kansas was the first state to pass woman suffrage amendment. It was sent to (male) electorate for approval. ‘This is the Negro’s hour’ after serving in the Civil War the male Negroes deserved the right to vote. Woman suffrage was defeated 19,857 to 9,070. Black male suffrage was defeated 19,421 to 10,483. Clarina Nichols is joined by East Coast leaders. Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were also leaders within the suffragette movement. After defeat of the 15th Amendment that gave all citizens of the US the right to vote, the women’s movement split for 20 years.
1894 Third Kansas Campaign for Women – Laura Johns tries the gradual approach. Municipal suffrage (ability to vote in city elections) was passed in 1887. First in the nation was Leavenworth, Kansas on April 5, 1887. Argonia, Kansas elected its first female mayor in the U.S. in April, 1887, Susanna Salter. Women’s Suffrage was defeated 130,139 to 95,302. Women were discouraged by setbacks. There’s hope out West. Women’s suffrage was approved in Wyoming – 1890, Colorado – 1893, Utah – 1896, Idaho – 1896, Washington. — 1910, and California — 1911
1912Fourth Kansas Campaign for Women. – Organization, education, and publicity became the watchwords. 105 county organizations were to be visited. School essay contests were sponsored. Widespread literature distribution was conducted.
Governor Stubb’s Auto Tour for Women’s Suffrage included Lucy Johnston, Sarah Thurston, Helen Eacker, and Stella Stubbs. All were officers of the Kansas Equal Suffrage Association.
In Kansas elections results were 175,246 for the 19th amendment and 159,197 against the 19th amendment on November 5, 1912. Both political parties were able to vote on this amendment and gave Women the Right to Vote.
1920 Nineteenth Amendment ratified in all states.
Quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Mary Stamey gave our speakers Diane Eickhoff and Aaron Barnhart a book titled “Around America to Win the Vote, Two Suffragists, A Kitten, and 10,000 Miles”. Great book choice, Mary!!!
Next Board and Branch meetings:
Our next AAUW Board meeting is March 2, 2020 at Vista Drive-In at 5:30 pm.
Our next AAUW Branch meeting is on March 9, 2020, the Annual International Women’s Day Celebration! It will be the Panel of Local International Speakers at the Holiday Inn at the Campus, 1641 Anderson Avenue starting at 6:00 pm. The cost will be $25.00. (Note change in location and cost of the event.) The speakers will represent Argentina, China, South Korea and Zimbabwe.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaawu@gmailcom.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, January 13, 2020
AAUW Branch Meeting January 13, 2020, at Little Apple Brewery Co. at 6:00 p.m.
Welcome: by Marlene VerBrugge. There were 15 members present and our speaker Gayle Doll.
Introduction of Guests: Marlene introduced our speaker Gayle Doll.
Recognitions:
- Annelise Nguyen – is now the Associate Director of Johnson Cancer Research Center at K State.
- Chris Herald – Featured an article in National Science Teacher Association Magazine. It is a classroom project with little robots.
- Jonalu Johnstone announced that her Book is now published. It is “Scripture Unbound, A Unitarian Universalist Approach”.
Congratulations Annelise, Chris and Jonalu!!!
- Announcements:
- Joan Strickler – History tidbit for 100th Branch Anniversary-Mary Stamey (from Joan) gave us a short point of history of our AAUW Branch. She stated that our Branch was formed in 1920 but did not get National AAUW acceptance until 1924 because Land Grant colleges (K State) were not accepted in 1920. When K State got the North Central Accreditation we were accepted into the National AAUW.
- A card was sent around for us to sign for Julee Thomas who is now stationed with the army in the Middle East. She did such great work for our Branch!!!!
- Change in dinner payment – we will pay at the beginning with a check or cash. That is preferred but they will accept a credit card. That process worked well today.
- Potential members/guests – give Mary and Marlene their contact information and email so they can follow up with our AAUW information to them.
- Note items in board minutes – the STEM application due date will be reported later by Chris Herald.
- Claudia reported that the scholarship due date is after spring break. It is named the AAUW – K State scholarship. The Greater Community Foundation will let us use last year’s application and work with us on updating the application for next year.
- February 1, 2020 is the Community Fair in the Mall from 10:00 – 3:00. Sign up to help, please. Please do wear your AAUW T-shirt.
- Please note that International Women’s Day will be March 9, 2020 at the Holiday Inn at the Campus. Cost is $25. We’ll start taking reservations at the next meeting. Also, the state conference is April 25, 2020 at the Kansas City Community College.
Other announcements:
- Mary Stamey has handed out new packets to potential members: Maureen Shehan, Kim Waslawski, Barb Leutjmeier, Majka Jarkowiack, Kim Wishard, Lee Ann Smith-Desper, and Jamie Mirton.
- The 19th Amendment celebration is being worked on by committee members.
Program:
Marlene introduced the speaker Dr. Gayle Doll, Director, Kansas State University Center on Aging. Dr. Gayle Doll works in the Health and Human Sciences department at K State. She spoke about “The U-Shaped Curve of Happiness in Old Age”. She gave us a truly delightful outlook on our aging process!!!
Expectations are the most important factor in our happiness in our older age. Through a quiz she had us realize many factors about Happiness in Old Age. We found that you can delay outward signs of Alzheimer’s disease. You can teach yourself new things. Cognitive reserves can be built up. These reserves will delay effects of Alzheimer’s disease. You can grow your brain in vocabulary. The neuro pathways become longer.
Some negative aspects of aging are those who are older have more trouble sleeping than younger adults due to less exercise, etc. Gayle did state that memory loss is a natural part of aging. Lack of attention impacts the memory. Also older adults do have an increase with constipation due to lack of exercise, inadequate fluids and medication effects. All five senses tend to decline with age. She also stated that older men are more prone to suicide. They do not seek help while younger women do seek outside help if suicide is considered.
A positive is older adults are less anxious about death than are younger middle-aged adults. Their desires have been fulfilled and they are more accepting of death. Older adults consider their health to be good or excellent. White adults consider their health to be better than Blacks or Hispanics. Men burn more calories due to more muscle mass. This contributes to easier weight loss among men than among women.
Life expectancy among women and men is not the same. Men will die younger. There is a 5 year age difference in life expectancy of women with respect to life expectancy of men.
Primary Aging Effects among Older Adults
Gayle pointed out that hair loss, loss of balance and loss of muscle mass are all primary effects of aging.
Psychological Aging Effects among Older Adults
Gayle also showed us how primary aging effects are uncontrollable by you but the psychological aging effects can be controlled by you and can affect your biological age. How you feel can affect your biological age. 30% of your biological age is controlled by genes from your parents but 70% is controlled by how you live – your life style.
Gayle ended her talk by showing us how the Gallup Well-Being Index shows that people can improve their psychological aging process. You should live with purpose which is bigger than passion. You have to be valued by yourself and others. You should develop hobbies, help others, mentor, or be a caregiver. You should live in a safe community. You should not be isolated. Find relationships. Living in the same place as the people you love matters. Priorities matter, quality of time matters. Make walking or swimming convenient.
If you do the things stated above, the U shaped Happiness Curve that goes down during the middle ages of adults will go drastically back up in your older age. Set your Expectations as High as possible!!! You will have more Happiness in Your Older Age!!!
Mary Stamey gave our speaker, Gayle Doll, a book titled “The Truth About Grandparents”. Great book choice, Mary!!!
Next Board and Branch meetings:
Our next AAUW Board meeting is February 3, 2020 at Vista Drive-In at 5:30 pm.
Our next AAUW Branch meeting is on February 10, 2020 at Little Apple Brewery at 6:00 pm. The cost will be $13.00.
Our speakers Diane Eckoff and Aaron Barnhart, Speaker/Author, Humanities Kansas will speak on Women’s Road to Suffrage in Kansas.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaawu@gmailcom.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, December 12, 2019
AAUW Branch Meeting December 12, 2019, at LaFiesta Restaurant, 6:00 p.m.
Welcome: by Marlene VerBrugge. There were 18 members present, one speaker and 3 guests present.
Recognitions: Annelise is taking a position of Associate Director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center at K State.
Travel news – Annelise is traveling to Egypt soon and Nancy is going to Africa in one week. Nancy will be in Senegal, Ethiopia and Kenya. We will be excited to hear about these travels when both members return.
Introduction of Guests: Marlene had our guests introduced. They were Kim Waslawski, Barb Lutjemeier, and Majka Jankowiak. New member Maureen Sheahan was also recognized.
Announcements:
Marlene gave notice for the Kitchen Restore organization’s donations and where the donations can be taken. They can be taken to First United Methodist Church, Riley County Extension Office and the North East Area Extension Office.
Mary announced that AAUW applications for graduate students are due on December 15, 2019.
Mary also announced that she is working with the committee covering the Historical Museum in Manhattan. She noted that a hand written letter from 1881 from Susan B. Anthony was found. At that time Ann Pillsbury was postmistress. The 19th Amendment display is no longer at the library but now is in Great Bend, Kansas.
Committees for 2019-2020: Marlene reported. The International Women’s Day Celebration theme is Each For Equal. The celebration will be on March 9, 2020 at the Holiday Inn on Campus. “Strangers in Town” is a movie that was made in Garden City, Kansas. The movie shows how the residents of Garden City accepted people of different ethnic backgrounds that moved into their community, The Public Library may have a copy and we know that Hale Library at K State has a copy. We all should view this movie.
Program: Holiday singing by the excellent classic Konza Carolers was led by Penny Seften. We joined the carolers in many Christmas songs after they sang Holiday songs from different countries such as Germany.
Mary introduced our speaker Jamie Morris-Hardeman, Executive Director of Thrive speaking on Poverty in Kansas and Efforts like Thrive to Address It. Thrive is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of reducing poverty by building skills and relationships that strengthen families and individuals as they work with stressors of life in poverty. Jamie stated that the Thrive organization focuses on building teams that meet two Tuesdays a month consisting of one Leader and 2 to 3 Allies. The Leaders become cheerleaders for the Allies. On the opposite Tuesdays continuing education for Leaders is held. The Allies have to learn to make goals that are accomplished in little steps. The Allies will work on what they want to do to improve.
Jamie gave a visual representation of what is done during the Thrive process. She showed an arm held up with the hand open. The arm is the spinal cord and the hand is the brain. The thumb represents emotional regulation and fight or flight decisions. When the hand is open you are under stress and often flip your lid and the heart beats faster. The Leaders and Allies work at getting the hand down with a person in a calm state. Parents and kids in poverty are in the program. Thrive works toward the home having less stress about poverty. The parents want a better life for their kids. Long term help is achieved.
There are many groups of Thrive now in our area. Funding comes from grants and the City of Manhattan supports Thrive. Three staff persons are paid for 15 hours of work a week. Meals and other items are donated. At first families were found through the Bread Basket and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). Now people are bringing their friends to Thrive. In finding Allies let them know that it is two Tuesday meetings a month and they are on a small team. To be a Leader you have to be a supportive and a non-judgmental person. Together Leaders and Allies look for what we can do differently. Leaders will teach the Allies to set small goals that can be achieved. The Leader must be a cheerleader when they do achieve their goals. You will be working toward reaching a goal of reducing generational poverty by setting small goals, discussing problems and causes of stress, working with financial management and improving relationships among the parents and children.
In the spirit of holiday giving many members brought an item or items to support families through the Thrive program.
Mary Stamey gave our speaker, Jamie Morris-Hardeman, a book titled “A Place to Stay” Great book choice, Mary!!!
Next Board and Branch meetings: Our next AAUW Board meeting is on January 6, 2020 at Vista Drive-In at 5:30 pm. Our next AAUW Branch meeting is on January 13, 2020 at Little Apple Brewery at 6:00 pm. The cost will be $13.00. Our speaker, Gayle Doll, Director, Kansas State University Center on Aging will speak on the Happiness Curve of Aging.
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaawu@gmailcom.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, November 11, 2019
AAUW Branch Meeting November 11, 2019, at Little Apple Brewery at 6:00 p.m.
Welcome: by Marlene VerBrugge. There were 24 members present, one speaker and 3 guests present.
Recognitions: Marlene recognized Annelise Nguyen for the John Doull Award from K State for discipline, collaboration and innovation in the area of cancer research. We had given her flowers after the last Branch meeting. Congratulations, Annelise! Mary Stamey recognized Julee Thomas for all of her dedication, communication and youthful energy given our Branch and the Board. To represent all of those qualities Mary gave Julee a beautiful Butterfly symbol. Julee will be deployed possibly by December. We will miss you so much, Julee.
Introduction of Guests: Usha introduced our three guests. Jen Spearie and Haley Hatfield work with the speaker Jill Haukos at Konza Prairie. Arthur Eby was sent to our meeting by his sister who knew he would like the meeting.
Committees for 2019-2020: Marlene reported that at the last board meeting we looked at the budget and realized we will need some fundraisers to replenish our funds. Amanda will lead a committee to get some fundraisers. Please sign up to help. Marlene also announced that the International Women’s Day committee will be meeting soon.
Announcements: Joan Strickler reminded us that 4 million dollars have been given to various women by AAUW National. In 2019-2020 awards will be given in scholarships and grants by the National AAUW. The awards range from $2000 to $12000. She handed around a basket for our donation and also stated that a person may contribute by going on line.
Mary Stamey brought T shirts that were ordered by the members. Walton Inc. printed the shirts. What a great job!!!
Karen McCullogh reported that Karen Mayse is with Area on Aging and will help individuals on finding various ways to reduce money spent on health care needs.
Program: Usha Reddi introduced our speaker Jill Haukos, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education Coordinator of Konza Prairie who spoke about the Konza Prairie Biological Research Station. She first handed out the book “The Autumn Calf” which she was the author and a stuffed calf bison to everyone present. The book shows what problems a calf born in the autumn has in becoming independent from the mother bison. Normally most bison calves are born in mid-spring. Throughout the book scientific principles are shown.
Jill spoke about the beginning of the conservation of the Konza Prairie. Katharine Ordway whose father was owner of the 3 M Company, bought 8000 acres in South Dakota for conservation. Later she bought the Konza Prairie in 1979 for Conservation, Research and Education. Most of it is now owned by the Nature Conservatory. Jill, our speaker, grew up in South Dakota but after college came to Konza Prairie for a job. The two ladies who work with her and she herself have the job of connecting students and adults to the prairie.
Konza Prairie has a 6 mile walk that people can take but they often do not see the bison as they are grazing in a different area. Through her slides and references to the book she showed us how elements of fire, bison grazing, and water through rainfall or snow totally interact. She says the greatest of these elements is water.
January – Jill showed that burning is essential for the grasses to grow. Without the fires large woody vegetation arrives. Areas need to be burned every 3 years for the grasses to continue to grow. They have a large experienced burn crew. Fires are burned against the wind. Bison will not get upset as the fires move slowly in their areas because of little fuel since the grasses are grazed thoroughly by the bison. After the fires have burned it takes only 7 to 10 days for the grass to grow back. The ground is black and hot and the soil is nutritious. Bison calves are born in mid-spring. Students will find artists using the charcoal for their art pieces.
June – Wildflower Walk is held the first Sunday in June at 6:30 for the public.
The Summer Teachers’ Workshop is held the 3rd week of June. Free bus rides are furnished for the students. They come to collect data. The Baby Bison start to turn form orange to brown.
July – The green prairie turns gold with sunflowers, etc. As school starts in late August students are taken out to see the bison. Students catch grasshoppers but they are told to keep them alive as they eat more vegetation than bison do per pound of weight. Students also found that research shows the effect of water on the prairie. Shelters were put over some sections of the land and students found that the vegetation growth goes into great shock.
September- Seeing the Bison, an event for the public, is set up for the last Saturday of September.
October- In the middle of October the crew goes to the herd in trucks and gives the herd treats while they honk their horns. The bison soon learn that the honking horns means they will get a treat. They will follow the truck to the corral after that training. At the end of October the crew brings bison into the corral to be ear tagged showing the year the animal was born and a special number for the individual bison. Veterinarians check the health of the bison and give them vaccinations for protection against diseases. Older bison at 7 years of age are sold as a group to private individuals.
Snows flies and the Konza Prairie will repeat its interaction of the elements of grazing of bison, fires, and water through rainfall or snow. Through Conservation, Research and Education about the elements and their interaction, the students and adults are connected to the Konza Prairie.
Mary Stamey gave our speaker, Jill, a book titled “A Day and A Night on the Prairie”. Great book choice, Mary!!!!
Next Board and Branch meetings: Note new location for the Branch meeting December 9, 2019.
Our next AAUW Board meeting is on December 2, 2019 at Vista Drive-In at 5:30 pm.
Our next AAUW Branch meeting is on December 9, 2019 at LaFiesta Restaurant, 2301 Tuttle Creek Blvd. at 6:00 pm. The cost will be $13.00. Holiday Giving and Celebration is the theme. Poverty in Kansas and Efforts like Thrive to address it will be given by Jamie Morris-Hardeman, Executive Director of Thrive.
Meeting adjourned, Maurine Pruitt, AAUW Manhattan (KS) Branch Secretary
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaawu@gmailcom.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, October 14, 2019
AAUW Branch Meeting October 14, 2019, at Little Apple Brewery at 6:00 p.m.
Welcome by Marlene VerBrugge. There were 23 members present and 1 speaker present. Julee Thomas provided cancer bracelets, flowers for cancer survivors and ribbons for our name tags to remind people of Cancer Awareness Month.
Introduction of Members and Guests: Sheryl Blake was in Washington DC the last 33 years. She is back in Manhattan now. Chris Herald and Jean Lee are her neighbors. Adrian Walker who has visited several times has now joined our AAUW Branch.
Recognition: Marlene recognized Annelise Nguyen, Associate Professor of Toxicology and Director of Veterinary Research Scholars Program at K State who received the John Doull Award for discipline, collaboration and innovation in the area of cancer research. She was absent but will be presented a set of flowers. Congratulations, Annelise.
Upcoming Programs: Usha & Julee
Usha shared Palm Cards she had printed that showed the Programs for AAUW 2019-2020. It is a great item to give to others as we share our AAUW Manhattan (KS) Branch Goals.
Julee attended an Awareness for Cancer dinner and shared that you must get tested. Also, she stressed that once you survive you have to learn to manage the possibility that cancer can return at any time.
Julee shared that the Sales Tax increase on the November ballot, if passed, will show improvements in Aggieville, NBAF (National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility) water drainage, the Douglas Center, the Airport and City Maintenance and the Levee. The Levee was designed I n 2004 by the Army Core of Engineers and Karen McCulloh shared it is a great design for us in 2019. Karen McCulloh also spoke about the Sales Tax to be voted on as it will hit the low-income people the hardest as they buy their groceries. The additional item on the ballot in November will be whether we want to add the Military here in Riley County and the K State students on our Census Count. Right now, the Military are counted on their home Census. A Yes vote will mean those two groups of people will be counted where they are living at the moment.
Committees for 2019-2020: Marlene handed out a sign-up sheet for help on committees. She reminded us that the Kansas State Conference will be in April of 2020 at the Kansas City Community College. In 2021 the State Conference will be here in Manhattan with our Branch as host. Those committees are as follows: International Women’s’ Day Celebration in March, 100th Anniversary of Manhattan Branch Celebration occurring at the May meeting, 19th Amendment Celebration giving “Women the Right to Vote!” State Conference in 2021.
Announcements:
T-shirt Orders (Mary Stamey) The order went in today. The color was switched from a green shirt to a blue shirt
because of difficulty of some sizes not available in the green color. They will be handed out at our
November Branch meeting.
Budget (Mandy) report not given at this time
Little Apple Brewery Sponsorship – Marlene gave a special “Thank You” to Little Apple Brewery manager for
sponsoring our Branch and serving us each month.
Other Announcements
International Women’s Celebration Committee will start meeting soon to prepare for our March meeting.
Program: Usha and Julee. Usha Reddi introduced the Program speaker Lisa Melander, Associate Professor of Sociology, Kansas State University who would speak about Incarcerated Women. Lisa has been at K State for nine years and while there she has been doing research concerning Incarcerated Women Keeping Connected While Living Apart. She has found that the United States has 25% of the world’s total prison population. 7% of the total prison population is female. There is only 1 correctional facility in Kansas for women. It is overcrowded and what was recreational rooms are now housed with women. Women are incarcerated for drug and property violations where men are in prison for violent crimes.
Women’s Pathway to Prison includes physical and sexual abuse, poverty, substance abuse, self-medication, and mental health concerns, especially depression. A concern now is for responsive programming not to be the same for women as that provided for men.
Women in Prison often have mental health problems that includes over medication to make them passive. They often get HIV and Hepatitis C and medications are very expensive for these diseases. Women often find dental practices using unclean tools. Pregnancy and abortions are very common in the prisons. There is often no phasing out programs for the women or men.
Sexual Assault Inside the Walls Unwilling sexual activity is more frequent among women. Prison Rape Elimination Act was passed in 2003.
Maternal Incarceration Many incarcerated women have young children. 58% of confined women do not see their children.
Changing Programs Contact Maintenance Programs are available. Frequent visitation in separate spaces are provided. Phone calls can occur. Letters are encouraged. These programs are different from traditional parenting programs.
Topeka Center WALC (Women’s Activity Learning Center) There are many program benefits for women at the Topeka WALC. Parenting classes are provided at the Center. A variety of programs to accommodate multiple family situations exist. A Methodist Women organization has helped with setting up many of the programs for incarcerated women in Topeka. It should be noted that $500 comes in from the State of Kansas for the programs. The rest is from Methodist Women.
Enhanced Visitation The Women incarcerated at the Topeka WALC have face-to-face visitations, a separate visitation area with no guards present, mother-infant bonding programs and retreats. The Discovery Center recently had a full day retreat for the Incarcerated Women and their children. In Topeka for the first 6 weeks an infant can come every day for nursing. Now they store breast milk in freezers. Of great benefit is the fact that moms can interact with a child for a whole day.
Technology Enhancement Phone calls can be received. A parent can skype with children. Special birthday book programs exist when a book and a DVD is given to a child on his/her birthday.
Privacy & Family Two great factors in the Topeka Center are the privacy and the family environment that is established.
Improvements wanted The facility needs to be bigger, more behavior programs established and grandmother visitations allowed.
Items Lisa Melander learned from her research on Incarcerated Women Keeping Connected While Living Apart follows.
While at WALC, the mother-infant bonding is great and mothers are more connected to their children. They have benefited greatly from privacy with their infant.
Next Steps: Lisa is going to work with the Dilley Pro Bono Project that works with women getting asylum. Brothers in Blue is a reentry program available to men only now. We need it for women and the name would change. It is a program where the person is matched with a mentor and it is religious based.
Mary Stamey gave a book to the speaker – Deena Misses Her Mom – What a neat book to give, Mary!!!! Welcome: by
Our next AAUW Board Meeting is on November 4, 2019 at Vista Drive-In at 5:30 pm.
Our next AAUW Branch meeting will be November 11, 2019 and will start at 6:00 pm at the Little Apple Brewery. Cost will be $13.00. The program will feature Jill Houkos, Education Coordinator of Konza Prairie. She will speak about the Konza Prairie Long Term Ecological Research Program.
Meeting adjourned, Maurine Pruitt, AAUW Manhattan (KS) Branch Secretary
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaawu@gmailcom.
News Release – AAUW Monthly Meeting, September 9, 2019
AAUW Branch Meeting September 9, 2019, at Little Apple Brewery at 6:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: by Marlene VerBrugge There were 26 members present.
Visitors announced were Maureen Sheahan who is running for City Commission, Theresa Merrick who is the Assistant Director in the Writing Center at K State, Patty McKenna who is a nurse and is working on her Masters in Public Health and Adrian Walker who teaches in the Biology field at K State. Marlene gave notice that the 19th Amendment committee is meeting with League of Women Voters to find a Landon Lecturer. On the K-State Campus we hope to incorporate the 19th Amendment theme during Homecoming. In +
20State AAUW Conference in April 2020, and the 100th Anniversary of Manhattan Branch Celebration that will occur at the May meeting.
Mary Stamey presented the AAUW T Shirt design and orders for the AAUW shirts were taken.
Any address changes should be given to Marlene.
Treasurer Amanda Gaulke reminded us that our dues of $80 are due by September 30th. She took some of the payments for dues at the end of the meeting. They can also be paid on line.
Usha went over the programs for this year. April is the State Conference.
Julee Thomas introduced the Program speaker Amanda Gaulke, Assistant Professor of Economics, Kansas State University whose topic was Impacts of Type 1 Diabetes: My Research with Danish Co-authors. Amanda received the KAWSE Recognition Award for promoting women and girls in STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
The research team consisted of Amanda and three other professors. They received a $652,000 grant and they were able to hire three other people.
The Health Economics of those having T1D involves the fact that those in the US cannot afford the medicine while in Denmark with health insurance for all the cost does not become a factor. The US market is not doing what is best for our society concerning those with T1D. The cost of medications for T1D in the US is $350 per dosage compared to $40 per dosage in Denmark.
The Cause of T1D is unknown. T1D is not the same as T2D (Type 2 Diabetes). T1D is second only to asthma with the number of those with T1D as a child hood disease in the western world. The US has the highest number of those 18 and under with T1D. A child is not born with T1D.
T1D will Impact the child, the parents of that child and his/her siblings. It is helpful that now T1D is covered by Americans with Disabilities Act. There is a myth that someone with T1D can’t eat any carbohydrates. Everyone needs some carbohydrates. The exact cause of the disease is unknown. There is a low degree of inheritability and it is difficult to get diagnostic trends. You have to be trained to live with it. An individual with T1D must keep the level of blood glucose not too high and not too low. They must keep is as close as possible to the target range. Stress, the elevation where you are living, etc. effect the level of your blood glucose.
The team has amazing data that will allow them to answer many questions about T1D. Every child in Denmark with T1D is studied. They are studied for number of shots they take and the impact on Standardized Test Scores. They showed no significant difference in Standardized Test Scores of those with T1D and those who do not have the disease. Americans would not be allowed to get all of the data that those in Denmark were able to get. As they studied they found that economic status of those with lower scores were those who had less resources.
The team found that if the maternal education is greater the child will have better control of glucose levels. Monthly absenteeism does increase with those with T1D. The primary care physicians do not have T1D on their scope of diagnosis with the child. Therefor T1D is often diagnosed later. Parental impact is most on the mother with decline in wage income. The mothers will often shift from full time employment to part time employment to help the child with T1D. The struggle in the US for money to pay for medications will affect the whole family. Fathers are much less affected as the mother will change her employment in order to help the child diagnosed with T1D.
In summary Amanda stressed that the costs are totally underestimated. Also T1D is not felt evenly across the entire population of people. She wishes to advocate for those with the illness. There continues to be fighting with health insurance companies in the US. They often deny, deny, deny and deny payment for the medications.
With the question and answer time Amanda answered that most kids have pumps in Denmark, in the US not so because of the insurance availability. The average age of those with T1D in Denmark is 9 years old. In Denmark there is much more negotiating than in the US between the government and the insurance companies. Mary Stamey gave a book to the public library in Amanda’s name!!!!!
Our next AAUW Board Meeting is on October 7, 2019 at Vista Drive-In at 4:30 pm. Our next AAUW Branch meeting will be October 14, 2019 and will start at 6:00 pm at the Little Apple Brewery. Cost will be $13.00. The speaker will be Lisa Melander, Associate Professor of Sociology, at Kansas State University. She will present the topic of Incarcerated Women.
Meeting adjourned,
Maurine Pruitt AAUW Manhattan (KS) Branch Secretary
Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaawu@gmailcom.