AAUW Ashland MEETINGS AND EVENTS 2024 – 2025
Our mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls
through research, education, and advocacy.
Branch Meetings
Where and When:
First Presbyterian Church, Calvin Hall
1615 Clark Ave, Ashland
Hospitality 10 am
Meeting: 10:30 am – Noon.
Branch Meeting Programs
SEPTEMBER 28 – “From Learners to Leaders”
Through a rigorous curriculum and distinctive experiential-learning activities, the Honors College at SOU seeks to create a community of learners committed to inquiry and action. SOU Honors College Director Dr. Cherstin Lyons and a panel of students will talk about the power of this approach.
OCTOBER 26 – “Modern Feminism’: What Is It and What’s at Stake?”
The concept of the “waves of feminism” first surfaced in the 1960’s as a way to differentiate emerging women’s movements. Representatives of these different waves — including Sandra Coyner (AAUW), Dr. Alena Ruggerio (SOU’s Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies program) and Erica Ledesma (Coalicion Fortelezza) — will share what today’s “modern feminism” means to them and why it matters. Why is gender equality good for everyone?
NOVEMBER 23 – “Do Something Challenging: Artist, Betty LaDuke”
For more than 60 years, Betty LaDuke has traversed the globe as an artist and activist, bringing her sketches back to her Ashland studio and transforming them into larger-than-life paintings and wood panels — and most recently, a collection of turtles bearing wisdom on their backs. Decades ago, heading into a sabbatical from SOU where she was the first woman on the arts faculty, her husband encouraged her to “do something challenging.” She did!
JANUARY 25, 2025 – Public Policy
We will host a panel of local leaders to discuss city issues and election results in terms of impact on our community. We will invite Mayor Tonya Graham and Councilor Gina DuQuenne to provide updates on local governance issues.
FEBRUARY 22 – “Ashland Together with Hillary Larson”
With a focus on kinship, Ashland Together brings attention to groups and organizations doing vital social and racial equity work in Ashland, and beyond. “Many people in Ashland care but don’t know what to do. We are a resource for helping people move from caring to doing.”
— Hillary Larson, Ashland Together
MARCH 22 – “Preparing Nursing Students for the Future”
One might call it a perfect storm. Major changes in the U.S. health care system require equally profound changes in the education of nurses — at the same time that well-trained nurses are in short supply. Heather Voss, PhD, RN, Campus Associate Dean at OHSU School of Nursing Ashland Campus will discuss the demands of educating the next generation of nurses at a time of unprecedented challenges, along with the cutting edge training nursing students today receive.
APRIL 26 – Presidents’ Meeting
Our focus will be the election of new officers for the next service year and the presentation of the Florence Schneider Award. We will also recognize Named Honorees for the AAUW Ashland branch. These members are honored for their service to the branch for 2023/24.
MAY 17 – “Farm to School: Cultivating Healthy Kids ”
For 15 years, Rogue Valley Farm to School has connected local school children with the bounties of harvesting and eating fresh local produce. Rogue Valley Farm to School Board Chair, Kathy Roselli, Co-Executive Director Rebecca Slosberg, and Amber Fry of Fry Family Farm will talk about the seeds they have sown.
“Big Ideas” Discussion Series
2024-2025 Calendar
AAUW/Ashland & Jackson County Library Services, present monthly discussions, 4:00-5:30 pm at the Ashland Library
September 3, 2024
“Milestone, Mistake or Some of Both? Update on Oregon’s revised drug law Measure 110.” Rep. Pam Marsh, 5th District, Oregon House of Representatives; and Kerri Hecox, MD, MPH,
Medical Director, Oasis Center of the Rogue Valley.
October 8, 2024
“Freedom to Read: Book Banning & Other Challenges Facing Libraries.” Kari May, Director, Jackson County Library Services; and Marie Felgentrager, School Library Media Specialist, Southern Oregon Education Service District, and Oregon Assn. of School Librarians Intellectual Freedom Committee.
November 12, 2024
“One Brick at a Time: Rebuilding the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.” Tim Bond, OSF Artistic
Director; and Amy Cuddy, OSF Board Member
January 7, 2025
“The Current State of Local/Regional Journalism” • Heidi Wright, COO, EO Media Group (Rogue Valley Times and other publications)
• Bert Etling, Executive Editor, Ashland.news
• Erik Neumann, News Director, Jefferson Public Radio
• Patsy Smullin, President & Owner, KOBI-TV Channel 5
February 4, 2025
“The Teenage Brain: Impacts on Despair, Homelessness & Substance Abuse.” Mary Ferrell, Executive Director, Maslow Project; and Lacey Corbet, MA, Clinical Supervisor, Maslow Project
March 4, 2025
“Oregon Gun Laws Still Under Fire? An Update on Measure 114.” Jackson County Sheriff
Nathan Sickler and Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara