by Dawn Rodrigues & Mary Brady

Looking back, we realize how fortunate we were to have so many opportunities to see one another at branch programs. Looking ahead, our first opportunity to meet together physically is coming up at the end of the month: the Premier Showing of “From Corsets to Combinations” at Park-McCullough House on August 26, 2020.

We had excellent programs planned for the spring, but as you know, our best laid plans have gone awry. The two programs that were scheduled for the spring will be part of our fall lineup — Voter Suppression and “A Woman Ain’t I,” a performance by Kathryn Woods sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council.

AARP Grant Proposal:  In July, the Program Committee voted to pursue funding of a project to provide enhanced tech support and equipment to members in need of such via AARP’s “Community Resilience” Requests for Proposals. Vermont AARP offered $500-$2,000 in grant awards for “Livable Community Projects Supporting Resilience”. Over 36 proposals were received, and regrettably, AAUW’s proposal (to provide iPads and tutoring to our members) was not chosen for funding. However, the plan could be activated this fall with volunteer labor and equipment donations, and/or alternate funding sources.  Stay tuned for future developments, and contact the Program Committee with your ideas!