Welcome to the Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch of AAUW!

November Branch Meeting-   Wednesday, November 6th at 6:45 p.m., Glen Ellyn Police Station, 65 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn and via Zoom

Speakers-  Mike Murray and Hugh Brady

Title of Presentation– Community Mental Health Boards:  Needed or Not?

How is DuPage County tackling the mental health needs of its population? Join the AAUW Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch on November 6, 6:45 PM, at Glen Ellyn Police Station Community Room, 65 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn for a presentation on “Community Mental Health Boards:  Needed or Not?”

According to the CDC, one out of five people live with a mental health condition. The statistics are staggering. Approximately one in three young adults (ages 18-25) in the U.S. experienced a mental illness in the last year. For adults, one out five have experienced mental health illness. Historically, mental illness may have been a silent illness, but now public awareness has burgeoned.  Many people have been frustrated with finding effective treatment and have demanded more resources.

In 2021, Milton Township recognized the need for a more comprehensive approach to the township’s mental health services. Our speakers, Mike Murray and Hugh Brady, have both been instrumental in establishing several 708 Community Mental Health Boards in DuPage and neighboring townships. They will address the need for the boards, the history of the boards, their objectives, their impact and their services. 

On November 6, at 6:45 p.m. the AAUW Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch will host a meeting at the Glen Ellyn Police Department Community Room, 65 S. Park Blvd. After a brief social time with refreshments, the program will begin. A short Branch business meeting will follow the presentation. Guests are welcome to attend. The meeting will also be available on Zoom. To attend via Zoom, please send an email to wge-aauw@comcast.net. Include your full name and email address. The Zoom link will be emailed to you on the day before the event. Click here for more information about AAUW.

November Calendar

October 23 – AM Nonfiction, 10:00 a.m.
October 25 – Cultural Event, 12:30 p.m., Rosemary + Jeans, 116 S. Main St., Lombard
October 29 – Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
November 1 – AM Lit, 9:30 a.m., Wheaton Public Library, 425 Cross St., Lower-Level Room C, Wheaton
November 3 – Daylight Savings Time Begins – Set clocks back!
November 4 – Last Day for Early Voting – VOTE!!!
November 5 – ELECTION DAY – VOTE!!!
November 5 – Great Decisions #3, 1:00 p.m., Zoom
November 6 – Branch Meeting – 6:45 p.m., Glen Ellyn Police Depart., 65 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn
November 7 – Great Decisions Group #1, 1:00 p.m.
November 8 – Film Group, 7:00 p.m.
November 18 – PM Lit, 7:00 p.m.
November 20 – PM Non-Fiction, 7:00 p.m.
November 21 – Buffalo Theater Ensemble Pre-Show Gathering, 5:30 p.m.

* Members: Click here to access Twigs. Password required. Click here for assistance

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher!  Don’t Forget to Vote!

Important DuPage County Election 2024 Dates (www.dupagecounty.gov/election)

October 20 – Last day to register online.

October 21 – Expanded Early Voting opens across DuPage County.

October 31 – Last day to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot.

November 4 – Last day of Early Voting.

November 5 – Election Day – Be sure to vote!

Meet the AAUW Fellows and Grantees!

Saturday, November 9 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom

We will have recent recipients of the AAUW fellowships and grants speak to us about their research, studies and projects.

As of 2024, we’ve given more than $146 million to over 14,000 women and nonprofit organizations around the world.  Our recipients include some of the most influential voices of the past two centuries – women who have helped shape history – as well as nonprofit organizations at the forefront of driving social change.  AAUW awarded its largest amount EVER in Fellowships & Grants – $6.3 MILLION to 285 deserving fellows and grantees to pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects that empower women and girls for the 2023-24 academic year.

This webinar is cosponsored by the Chicago Inc. branch and the Jane Addams Online branch.

Click here to register.

AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell issued the following statement strongly condemning the US Supreme Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) strongly condemns the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The decision overturns the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established abortion as a constitutionally protected right nearly 50 years ago and ignores the will of the American people, 80% of whom support legal abortion.

AAUW believes everyone has the right to make decisions about their own reproductive lives without government interference. Abortion access is vital to women’s ability to control their lives, bodies and futures. Without reproductive freedom, there can be no equity.

Being able to choose whether and when to become a parent improves women’s well-being and fosters economic security—a crucial component of AAUW’s mission. This is particularly important in a country that lacks accessible maternal health care, paid caregiving leave and workplace protections for pregnant workers.

The Court’s decision hurts all of us, but it will do the most harm to low-income people, women of color, immigrants, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people, because these
groups already face substantial barriers to accessing reproductive services and health care.

While the Court’s decision is a major setback for all Americans, AAUW remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting reproductive rights, a vital component of gender equity.

Branch members and supporters marched at the Naperville Reproductive Rights Walk

Carolyn and Marilyn represented our Branch at the Women’s March for Reproductive Rights in January.

Other Branch Activity Updates:

  • Our new Branch initiative, Science Girls on the Go™, is reaching parents looking for at home STEM activities during the pandemic. Click here for more information.

  • Click here if you would like to donate to the Branch’s Opportunities Fund. This fund annually provides Higher Education Incentive Awards to girls from local high schools who are continuing their education at the College of DuPage. From time to time, the Opportunities Fund also supports other Branch-sponsored gender equity initiatives and national AAUW projects.

What is AAUW?

AAUW’s Mission:
To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls. Since our founding in 1881, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. Click here for more information on AAUW’s Mission, Vision and Values.  Join us!

As AAUW continues to move forward in a changing world, so have our Strategic Plan and our Vision Statement. Click here to read the complete plan.