Ensuring that people who are subject to harassment or violence based on age, disability, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, religious beliefs, pregnancy or parental status have full protection and recourse under the law.
This presentation gives our members, their guests, and other attendees an opportunity to learn about what's happening in our community and ways to join in to support the rights and dignity of immigrants during this disquieting time. Additional information on this presentation, including how to make donations of goods to support families, is presented in this month's newsletter. Please check your inbox for your Evite and RSVP "YES!"
In a time when the accomplishments of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people are questioned and disparaged, and in honor of both Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day, I want to draw your attention to two resources.
First, Native News Online is a credible source of Native issues in the news. "Founded in 2011, Native News Online reaches millions of Native and non-Native readers annually including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and others interested in Native American concerns." Two articles that are emblematic of the importance of this month are about Native Heritage Month, which will not receive an official presidential proclamation this year, and Native News Online's 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees.
Second, did you know that Loretta Walsh was a Navy yeoman [sic] and the first woman "to hold a military rank and receive the same pay and benefits as the men she worked alongside"? Imagine if the pay equity she was given in 1917 had continued to the present day! In honor of Veterans Day and the women who are serving or have served, you can read more about Loretta Walsh at the Department of Veterans Affairs. And be sure to check out Ken Burns' new documentary The American Revolution to learn about the various individuals from all backgrounds, including women and Black and Indigenous people, who contributed to the story of our democracy. Among those stories is Deborah Sampson's, who fought for the Continental Army disguised as a man.
Finally, I would be remiss to not acknowledge that November is also National Gratitude Month with Thanksgiving Day, which to me is a day to celebrate family and friends, at its core. It is, therefore, with sincere gratitude that I give thanks for the many friendships that have come out of my participation in AAUW. I am also thankful for the generous support our branch provides to the students in our community who are the recipients of our scholarships — and that support is in the form of donations of time, talent, and treasure— however you give does make a difference!!
For some reason, as I was looking for a gratitude-related quote to wrap up this month's message, this one caught my eye:
"She could go on asking herself why roses had thorns or she could be thankful that thorns had roses," from The Flower Arrangement by Irish author Ella Griffin.
With thanks,
Debra Valencia-Laver
