October Branch Meeting-   Wednesday, October 2nd at 6:45 p.m., Glen Ellyn Police Station, 65 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn and via Zoom

Speaker-  Joel Jara, Community Relationships Coordinator for the DuPage County Health Coalition 
Title of Presentation– Partnering with Organizations to Provide Health Services for DuPage Low Income Residents

For many of us living in DuPage County, our lives are lived comfortably. We own our homes, have enough extra income to allow travel, benefit from thorough health insurance, and we can afford to fill up our grocery carts and our vehicle’s tanks whenever they need filling. Not everyone living among us in this county is as fortunate. Joel Jara, Community Relationships Coordinator for the DuPage Health Coalition, will explain how the DuPage Health Coalition serves low-income families in DuPage County.  Joel Jara has served in the nonprofit sector for over fifteen years.   He is fluent in both English and Spanish.  Mr. Jara, who attended Wheaton College, feels he is energized when his work equips and develops others.

September Calendar

August 27 – Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
August 28 – AM Non-Fiction, 10:00 a.m.
September 3 – Great Decisions Group #3, 1:00 p.m.
September 4 – Branch Kick-Off Meeting, 6:45 p.m., Glen Ellyn Police Station, 65 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn
September 5 – Great Decisions Group #1, 1:00 p.m.
September 6 – AM LIT, 9:30 a.m., Glen Ellyn Public Library, 1st Floor Meeting Rooms, 400 Duane St., Glen Ellyn
September 12 – BTE Pre-show Gathering, 5:30 p.m.
September 13 – Film Group, 7:00 p.m.
September 16 – PM LIT, 7:00 p.m., TBD
September 20 – Fall Fundraising Walk, 9:00 a.m., Hidden Lake Preserve, Butterfield Rd. and Rte. 53, Downers Grove
September 24 – Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., TBD
September 28 – DuPage County Elections, Early Voting begins at DuPage Fairgrounds and First Day Vote by Mail ballots are sent out.

* 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)

August 7 – Applications for Vote by Mail are available online, in person, or by mail. If you have previously applied for a Vote by Mail ballot, you will automatically receive one for this election.

September 28 – Early Voting begins at DuPage Fairgrounds and first day Vote by Mail ballots are sent out.

October 8 – Last day for voter registration by deputy registrars.

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!

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.

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.