AAUW 2008 State Convention

: Catherine Hill tells us that choices women make account for some of the pay gap, but that there is no explanation for the remaining 5% difference in pay one year after graduation and 12% ten years later. She also dismisses the myth that paying attention to girls has harmed boys. A report will be released soon that shows that although more women than men are now receiving 4 year college degrees, the increase is due to more minority women entering and finishing college. Looking at 30 years of test scores shows that where women are doing better so are men.

: Christina Getrich received a grant from the educational foundation to finish her research in cultural anthropology. Her thesis topic is Negotiatin Social Exclusion and Inclusion: Second-Generation Teenagers. She worked with Hispanic teenagers in Barrio Logan through a connection to The Barrio Logan college Institute. These teenagers faced increased anti-immigrant sentiment which had a serious negative impact. U.S. born children of illegal residents had constant fear of becoming separated from their loved ones.

: Past and current presidents cutting the celebration cake; Nancy Scheer, Nina Thayer, Carol Ann Council, Marion Isidoro, Carol Woodworth and Margaret Dike.

: Installation of officers and the hand-off of responsibilities; Karen Nelson(secretary), Helena Whyte (membership), Mary Sanford (incoming co-president), Nina Thayer (co-president), branch member (representing all of us), Nancy Scheer (outgoing co-president), Carol Ann Council (nominating).

: Co-presidents Nina Thayer and Nancy Scheer graciously recognizing officers’ contributions.

: Carol Ann Council and Nina Thayer honor Nancy Scheer (center) for her years as president of AAUW New Mexico.

: Panel discussion of Pay Equity: Camilla Duran, Carolyn Glen Kay and Martha Burk. Martha Burk shared lessons contained in her book “Your Money and Your Life: The High Stakes for Women Voters in ’08 and Beyond.” One lesson is that women should recognize that university is the last meritrocracy that they will experience. Entering the competitive real world might prove a rude awakening to the naive.

: Beverly Stiles presenting Mona Wecksung of the Los Alamos Branch with the Grace Barker Wilson award. The GBW award is given annually to a women who through her actions has initiated positive societal change in the areas of women’s equity, education or self-esteem. Within AAUW, Mona championed the Georgia Fritz research grant and organized programs focusing on the roles and challenges facing female professors at New Mexico universities. She has worked with Mana del Norte to provide scholarships for young women. At LANL she mentored younger women. She has been active in lobbying the New Mexico legislator. Congratulations Mona!

: Emily Warner of Grant County receives the award for greatest increase in membership. Mary Sandford makes the presentation. Great work and applause to Grant County.

: Helena Whyte of the Los Alamos branch accepts the award for the branch making the largest contribution to the Educational Foundation. Nina Thayer hosted the event that earned a significant portion of this contribution. Carol Woodword made the presentation.