News from AAUWNC (https://www.aauwnc.org/}

November 3, 2021: The River Cane Exhibit; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EDT

AAUWNC - Western Carolina University Branch Co-Hosted Event

The AAUW Western Carolina University Branch is co-hosting an event with the Mountain Heritage Center and the Cherokee Center – ‘The River Cane Exhibit’.  This exhibit highlights the historic uses of river cane and explores the biology behind this type of bamboo—a unique native grass that grows throughout the Southeastern U.S. A wide range of river cane artifacts are featured, ranging from woven baskets and mats to tools, weapons, and musical instruments. The exhibit also showcases efforts, including those made by WCU students and alumni, to improve river cane habitat and restore this native species. Participants will meet some of the most renowned Cherokee basket makers working with river cane today and will also tour Discovering Appalachia to learn about western North Carolina’s role as a cultural crossroads visited and inhabited by people from many cultural backgrounds who have shaped our region today.

The Branch hopes some in our region will be able to attend in person.  Register for The River Cane Exhibit (click link).  The session will also be videotaped and posted to the AAUW WCU website, http://aauwwcu.wixsite.com/aauwwcu,

November 10, 2021: Preserving Women’s Healthcare: Nothing Should Come Between You and Your Health Decisions; 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

AAUWNC - Cape Fear Branch Hosted Event

Register for Women's Healthcare Event (click link)

Former AAUW board member and liaison to AAUW NC, Melissa Johnsen and colleague, Amanda Carlson, will speak to us about their involvement in COBALT Advocates, a Colorado organization advancing reproductive rights.  Colorado was the first state to decriminalize abortion and since then has served as a model for reproductive healthcare policies and programs across the country.

Melissa has served on non-profit boards for social justice and healthcare in Missouri and Colorado.  Melissa will: 

• Provide the history of the CO Fund
• Highlight the national network
• Share sources of funding 

With a Master of Social Work in Organizational Leadership and Policy Concentration from the University of Denver, Amanda serves as Director of Colorado’s largest independent abortion access fund.  Amanda will: 

• Focus on the fund's work process for patients - how they find us, how we help and ensure privacy 
• Address the impact of TX law and increase in patients, and other supporting services provided by Cobalt for the fund (food, transportation, housing)

** Reminder ** November 30, 2021: Braver Angels Bridging the Divide Workshop; 6:30-8:15 PM   

Asheville Branch Hosted Event

This workshop is designed to teach skills for having political conversations across the divide. These skills help you and me listen and understand without arguing to build trust, clarify disagreements and find common ground based on common values and humanity. The objective is not to push an agenda or change participants’ minds, but rather to provide a safe place for deeper understanding. Braver Angels uses Eventbrite for all their programs and has created a registration page for the November event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aauw-nc-and-wnc-ba-alliance-skills-for-bridging-the-divide-hybrid-registration-169669591315 The registration page provides a description of the program and as soon as they register, each registrant will receive an acknowledgement email message along with links to the pre-program self-study course and to the program itself on November 30th. And please invite others who may be interested in enhancing their skill sets. The sooner you sign up, the better.  There’s a suggested 40 minute instructional module to experience ahead of time, but it is not required to attend the workshop. And P.S. We hope to have attendees with varying political persuasions though no one will be paired up with “opposites.”  For inquiries, contact Johanna Manasse at jvm795@gmail.com.

December 11, 2021 (Saturday): Honors 4 Fellowship and Grant Recipients; 10:30 AM

AAUWNC Cape Fear Branch Hosted Zoom Event

Award: Selected Professions Fellowship; Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Discipline: Biology
Degree and Specialization: M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology
Recipient: Ayesha Ibrahim
“Your research into high-risk pregnancies, critical care and health-care disparities sounds very interesting and has great potential impact for your work as a physician and women’s health advocate.” 

Award: International Fellowship; Institution: Duke University
Citizenship: Indonesia
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Recipient: Khairunnisa Semesta
“Your Ph.D. research into psychosis risk in biological pathways in drug discovery sounds very interesting and has great potential impact.” 

Award: International Fellowship; Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Citizenship: Ghana
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Discipline: Engineering - environmental
Degree and Specialization: Ph.D., Sustainable water resources
Recipient: Rita Gyimah
“Your Ph.D. research on sustainable water resources and past experience in international water management in West Africa sound very interesting and have great potential impact.” 

Project Director: Aresta Johnson; Award: Community Action Grant
Location: Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Term: One-Year
Project Name: Bessie Coleman Aviator Academy
“Your project with the Bessie Coleman Aviator Academy sounds extremely interesting and carries out Elizabeth City State’s focus on aviation in an unusual way through its immersive experience with female students.”