Welcome to the Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch of AAUW!

christmas green winter trees illustration - christmas greens stock illustrations

January Branch Meeting-   Wednesday, January 8th at 6:45 p.m., ZOOM ONLY

TOPIC: A Resilient State: What Illinois is Doing Right and Why It Is Better Than You Think
Speakers: Dr. Robert Bruno and Frank Manzo

Ready to start out 2025 on a positive note? Join us from the comfort of your warm home to hear from two experts, Dr. Robert Bruno and Frank Manzo IV, who will share good news about the state of Illinois. They will discuss: What Illinois is Doing Right and Why It Is Better Than You Think. Dr. Bruno and Mr. Manzo are responsible for much in-depth research on this topic (some has recently been reported in the Dec. 9th Chicago Tribune) and their findings show that the population of Illinois is stable, its workforce has grown and, as its economy has become more robust, it is a good place to earn a living! They will dispel media reports and myths claiming otherwise.

Dr. Robert Bruno is a Professor of Labor and Employment in the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well Director of the Labor Education Program and the Director of the Project for Middle Class Renewal. He has published numerous scholarly articles on a range of labor relations subjects, and has authored five books on labor relations. He has given expert testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Dr. Bruno is co-editor of the Labor Studies Journal and is and executive board member of the United Association for Labor Education. He earned his BA from the University of Illinois, his MA from Bowling Green University and his PHD from New York University. He also currently serves as the president of School Board for Glen Ellyn’s District #41.

Frank Manzo IV is an Economist at the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI), a nonprofit research organization that he cofounded in 2013 to promote economic growth for businesses and working families. In the last 11 years, Manzo has authored or co-authored more than 200 research reports, been published in 4 peer-reviewed academic journals and his work has been cited by numerous government agencies and the Biden White House. He authors a monthly column in the Daily Herald. He earned his BA in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master in Public Policy degree from the University of Chicago.

To attend the meeting 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. More information about the AAUW Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch can be found at https://wheatonglenellyn-il.aauw.net.

December Calendar

November 26 – Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
December 3 – Great Decisions #3, 1:00 p.m., Zoom
December 4 – Winter Gathering, 4:00 p.m.
December 5 – Great Decisions Group #1, 1:00 p.m.
December 6 – AM Lit, 9:30 a.m., Wheaton Public Library, 425 Cross St., Lower Level Room C, Wheaton
December 13 – Film Group, 7:00 p.m.
December 16 – PM Lit, 7:00 p.m.
December 18 – PM Non-Fiction, 7:00 p.m

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

AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell issued the following statement after the results of the 2024 election:

“As you know by now, the 2024 presidential race has been called — and for the second time, our country has decided it wasn’t ready to have a highly-qualified woman hold our nation’s highest office.  The election results are extremely sobering, especially after such a long and hard-fought election season.  We did see some wins on state ballot measures that I’m glad to share. Of the 10 states that had abortion measures on the ballot, seven chose to defend women’s reproductive health last night. Thank YOU for your advocacy. That is progress, but it’s not enough. This is a time where we must persist together and continue advocating for women’s rights in this way.  Trump being back in office may set us back, and it will require a defensive strategy of advocacy from us like never before.  We will not back down from our belief that women’s work should be valued, our bodies should be respected, and that our education and workspaces should be inclusive and free from violence, harassment, discrimination, and bias.  It is our commitment to gender equity that allows me to write to you today with a clear-eyed promise: We will persist.”

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.