gmhTODAY 07 gmhToday Mar Apr 2016 | Page 88

Quilt Show Returns to Gilroy AAUW Gilroy will once again host their popular quilt show at the Veterans Building in May. Visitors will be treated to an array of more than 70 beautiful handmade quilts on display for leisurely viewing and enjoyment. The event will include a raffle for chances to win this year’s “Opportunity Quilt” as well as other prizes. This show is always a crowd-pleaser for quilters as well as people who have never sewn a stitch. It’s easy to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of local quilt makers. It’s also fun to learn about what inspired a particular quilt design or how it was made. AAUW GILROY QUILT SHOW & LUNCH Saturday, May 7, 2016 11 am to 2 pm VFW Post 6309 74 West 6th Street Gilroy Fundraiser for scholarships for women and girls. Event tickets are available through AAUW members, or at Nimble Thimble or the Garlic City Mercantile. GUEST LECTURES AND DISCUSSION GROUPS MEMBER OUTREACH is an AAUW tradi- provide a chance for members to learn and share ideas about major political and social issues of the day. For example, last October, Gilroy and Morgan Hill AAUW chapters got together at Morgan Hill Grange to host Senator Bill Monning and Dr. Faith Protsman, Vice Chief of Staff, St. Louise Regional Hospital, for a discussion on bioethics and the politics of healthcare and end-of-life issues. tion extended by our local chapters to their alumnae. One long-time member said that during a particularly challenging time in her life, AAUW members came alongside her, “like family,” with caring support. These are just a few of the interest group activities available to AAUW members. Check websites of the Gilroy and Morgan Hill branch chapters for details. HIKERS can explore our wonderful local park trails together. FILM-LOVERS can connect with other mem- bers to catch a movie together. eGALS get together to learn new ways to leverage their smartphones. 88 AAUW Stories Back in 1920, AAUW helped set up poll- ing places when the time came for America’s voting men to vote for women’s voting rights. When the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified that year, millions of women cast their votes at the polls. GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH/APRIL 2016 But it wasn’t until 2009 that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed by President Obama. The Ledbetter Act amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to help protect working women from pay discrimination. “It behooves us to work for better working conditions and better pay,” Dupree said, referencing present-day inequities that continue to make headlines. One week every spring, AAUW members visit local high school Econ/Civics classes to talk with students about the pay gap that persists in the workforce. “We bring them fresh-baked cookies that each have a chunk cut out,” Dupree explained. Of course the kids want to know why. “We tell them it represents the gap between salaries of men and women in the same jobs. A little humor is a great way to get the point across.” gmhtoday.com