Thursday, April 4, 10:00 am – Morning Book Group
THE MUSE, by Jessie Burton (Fiction). The discussion leader is Sharon Bounds. Meeting at the Homewood Public Library in Room 116 (Date change/location change).

Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, 2024
AAUW of ALABAMA, 2024 State Convention
The two-day meeting takes place on the University of Montevallo campus. Friday’s events begin with “Women of Distinction” Luncheon and include Officers’ Meeting, Campus Tour and Dinner. Saturday’s events begin at 8:30 am with breakfast and social time, and include breakout panel sessions/discussions, business meeting, lunch, keynote speaker, closing remarks and optional campus tour. If you plan to carpool, please call Barbara Patterson: 205-595-7740.

Tuesday, April 16, 3:00 pm
Afternoon Book Group
DAVID COPPERFIELD, by Charles Dickens (Classic). The discussion leader is Dairian Bentley. Meeting is at America’s First Federal Credit Union, 1112 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia. Members are requested to begin thinking about books to recommend for the 2024-2025 year now and submitting suggested titles to Judith Hand in May. A finalized list of all recommendations will be available in June, with voting at the July book group meeting.

Brief Notes
Welcome, Cassandra McCullum!
Our Vice President for Membership, Eddi Abdulhaqq, shares the news that we have a new member, Cassandra McCullum, Ph.D. We look forward to becoming acquainted with you, Cassandra!

Tech Trek 2024 Interviews in Birmingham
Tech Trek is a residential, STEM program for rising 8th grade girls offered by the AAUW Huntsville Branch and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. At Tech Trek, girls work hard, participate in group/team building activities, do hands-on STEM projects, and build their STEM skills! This year’s camp is June 9 – 15. On March 16, Barbara Patterson, Nancy Grove, Cathy Moncrief and Eleanor Wright assisted members of the Huntsville Branch as they conducted interviews of candidates from across central Alabama. Thank you!

AAUW Scholarships 2024
In your mailbox last month was an invitation to donate to our annual scholarship fund. A big thank you to those who already have mailed in checks. This is a gentle reminder that if you have not yet responded, your participation is encouraged and will be very much appreciated. Last month, the application form was sent to principals of all Birmingham City High Schools as well as to College Choice Foundation.  Here is the schedule:
~ The scholarship application period ends April 26, 2024.
~ Applicants can expect a decision by May 24, 2024.
~ Winners and their parents will be invited to an Awards Ceremony at the Morning Book Group meeting on June 7, 2024.
~ The essay question this year is: How have your family and your community prepared you for success in your college career?

In Memoriam
With great sadness, we inform you that our branch member Barbara Ann Beckett Gaines passed away following a short illness. She had many friends in our Branch and all of us will miss her.

Proposed Changes to AAUW Bylaws 

Your vote counts! This spring AAUW members are asked to vote on an amendment to the national bylaws that is recommended by the AAUW Board of Directors and AAUW Governance Committee to open membership to any individual who supports AAUW’s important mission of advancing equity for women and girls.

Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of AAUW.
April 3 | Voting begins (online voting is highly recommended)
May 15 | Online voting concludes at 12:00 pm ET with results to be announced online.
Don’t miss this opportunity to make your opinion count. Your comments and vote are instrumental in guiding the direction of AAUW. Link to more information: Proposed AAUW Bylaw Changes.

What Is AAUW?