Recent Events

What’s been happening at AAUW St. Paul?

This page is where we’ll be highlighting recent branch events with pictures and descriptions as they come in from event sponsors. We’ll also be highlighting announcements of particular importance and interest to our members.

Check back regularly to see what’s been happening at 990 Summit Avenue and other locations where our members gather.

ERAMN’s #Day1forERA on February 12, 2024, the first day of the 2024 Minnesota legislative session, was a great success. Our branch had about 20 attendees with some 60 AAUW members attending from all branches.  

Advocacy for Women and Girls in Action!

Some of the 20+ members of our branch who attended the rally.

Thanks to Pat Dalton of our Public Policy & Environment Committee for coordinating our branch’s participation in the rally. Pat delivered letters of support signed by our President, Carol Hanson, to the Minnesota Speaker of the House, the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate, and the Representative and Senator for the district within which our House is located.

Group photo of the AAUW statewide contingent at the rally.
Kelsey Waits, AAUW MN VP Public Policy, speaking at the rally.

If you have yet to contact your MN Representative and Senator in support of ERA MN, find more information on doing so HERE.

Our first evening program of the year was attended by 80 people.  Some of our guests took tours of our House. Several people were impressed by the vintage bathroom in the Grand Room suite, along with other areas, including the book sales area.  While our House always looks spectacular, the holiday decorations were a festive addition, both inside and out.  After enjoying social time and a lovely prime rib dinner, the two speakers for the evening, author and retired StarTribune journalist Lori Sturdevant and retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson, discussed issues pertaining to national and state judiciaries and what they mean for Minnesotans and all Americans, followed by some lively questions.

Photo on left: (L-R): Jerri Smith, Kathy Rafferty, André Levitt, Kathy Lafayette, and Darcey Dappen at the greeters’ table which provided a warm welcome for members and guests attending the evening program.
Photo on right: Retired StarTribune journalist Lori Sturdevant and retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson discussing issues pertaining to national and state judiciaries.

Annual Holiday Celebration and Book Sale!
December 5, 2023

Our Holiday Brunch on Tuesday, December 5, was a resounding success! The House looked so festive and, thanks to our wonderful staff and Linda Miller Poff, the tables were beautifully set with black tablecloths, and poinsettia centerpieces. Giardelli chocolates, and Christmas wrapped Hershey kisses were artfully scattered (tossed) on the tables by Linda Miller Poff and Jerri Smith, and the Great Room looked amazing! After mimosas and our annual Holiday Book Sale, 96 members sat down to a delicious brunch featuring Christophe’s quiche, a fruit cup, sweet rolls, and homemade (by Christophe) maple nut cake. A trio of talented siblings, Tacheny Violins (teenagers!) then played violins beautifully for our enjoyment. It was a wonderful way to start off the 2023 holiday season!

Photo on left: Coffee and mimosas were a wonderful start to the morning!
Photo on right: Members did some holiday shopping at the Annual Holiday Book Sale
which helps raise money for our Scholarship Fund.

Photo on left: Thanks to our wonderful staff, chef Christophe, and Holiday Brunch coordinator Linda Miller Poff, the tables were beautifully set and decorated.
Photo on right: About eighty members attended the holiday gathering.

The entertainment was performed by three sibling violin virtuosos!

AAUW Goes Up North and Outside!

Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center Outing

Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Coordinator: Deb Curran


https://ospreywilds.com

It was a beautiful summer day for our AAUW outing at Osprey Wilds ELS near Sandstone, Minnesota. Highlights of the outing included an informative session about their farming operation capped off with the opportunity to pick vegetables from the beautiful organic garden. We enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading to the animal barns where we were introduced to the resident birds, turtles, snakes, porcupine, rabbit, and more. We took a walk down to the lake and explored the beautiful accommodations for campers and groups, including the original farmhouse built in 1900. With the addition, it can sleep 23 people and you can reserve it for family reunions or other large gatherings. Thank you to Deb Curran for organizing this wonderful getaway!

Photo on left: Hearing all about the farming operation at Osprey Wilds which includes beef cattle and organic vegetables.
Photo on right: We gathered vegetables from the organic garden.

Photo on left: One of the resident creatures we were introduced to – a large female bull snake.
Photo on right: A lovely walk down by the lake after touring the original farm house.

Rally at the MN Capitol for ERA Minnesota
January 3, 2023

Left to Right: our own Pat Dalton with AAUW Minneapolis members Veronica Johnson, Nancy Sjoquist, and Glenna Case

With the snowstorms that came through on January 2nd and 3rd, the ERA Minnesota Rally was lightly attended. No stranger to getting herself to the State Capitol in the worst of winter weather, Pat Dalton of our Public Policy & Environment Committee teamed up with AAUW Minneapolis members Veronica Johnson, Nancy Sjoquist, and Glenna Case to provide an AAUW presence at the event.

The PP&E Committee will be providing updates on efforts to get an Equal Rights Amendment added to the Minnesota Constitution on our branch Take Action! page. We urge everyone to call, write, or email their State Senators and Representatives supporting equal rights for all – regardless of gender. Suggested wording and talking points will be found on the Take Action! page.

~JoAnne Tomczak for the Public Policy & Environment Committee



Page updated: 3/1/24

American Association of University Women – St. Paul Branch

990 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55105
(651) 227-4477
info@aauwstpaul.org

© Copyright 2023 AAUW St. Paul Branch