AAUW’s Mission, Vision and Values
AAUW advances gender equality for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
The AAUW vision is equity for all.
AAUW Values: Nonpartisan: Fact-based; Integrity; Inclusion and Intersectionality. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, AAUW has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and over 800 college and university partners. Throughout its history, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day – educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW Greater Naples Branch is one of the most active in the state of Florida, with an engaged membership of over 100 and growing.
April President’s Message
Transitions are almost always signs of growth, but they can bring feelings of loss. To
get somewhere new, we may have to leave somewhere else behind. – Fred Rogers
At our March Branch meeting we elected the following officers for the 2024-2026
term of Office:
Co-Presidents: Sylvia Natale and Lucy Williams
Co-Vice Presidents: Kathy Miller and Carol Siwinski
Co-Secretaries: Laura Candris and Linda Raclin
And Finance Director: Nancy Beights to fulfill the remaining year of office vacated by
Ann Marinelli.
We welcome these women to their leadership roles and are grateful for their
willingness to serve. The future is indeed bright for the Greater Naples Branch!!
As a testament to the hard work and recognition we have earned, I am sharing a
letter that I received from our AAUW National organization:
Dear AAUW Greater Naples (FL) Branch,
On behalf of the staff and senior leadership at AAUW, I want to extend our sincere appreciation for your participation in the FY23 Branch Impact Survey. Your responses have contributed significantly to our ongoing efforts to measure and celebrate the impactful work carried out by our branches across the country.
We are thrilled to inform you that, based on your responses, the AAUW Greater Naples (FL) Branch has achieved three stars in the FY23 AAUW Five Star Recognition Program. This achievement is a testament to your dedication and commitment to advancing our mission, and we applaud your leadership and members for your outstanding contributions in the following categories: Communications and External Relations, Programs, and Governance and Sustainability.
Your branch’s accomplishments in these areas reflect your efforts in fostering positive change for women and girls within your community and beyond. We recognize that achieving a Five Star Recognition is no small feat and underscores your unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity.
While we celebrate the achievement of stars in the various categories, it’s important to emphasize that every branch’s work in FY23 has been instrumental in furthering the mission of AAUW. Whether you achieved one star or five, your dedication has not gone unnoticed. Each accomplishment, no matter the scale, contributes to the collective impact of AAUW and helps us progress toward a more equitable future.
As you reflect on your branch’s achievements, take pride in the positive impact you’ve made and the lives you’ve touched throughout the past year. Your ongoing support is inspiring, and we are grateful to have branches like yours as integral parts of our organization.
Once again, congratulations on your well-deserved recognition. We look forward to celebrating the continued success and growth of the AAUW Greater Naples (FL) Branch in the coming years. Thank you for your commitment to the AAUW mission. Best regards, Tremayne A. Parquet Deputy Director of Advancement AAUW, 1310 L St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005
Although we did not reach Five Star designation as we have in the past, we should be
proud that our efforts have been recognized and rewarded. As someone said, that
and a nickel won’t get us a cup of coffee, but I truly believe that it has given us so
much more: the knowledge that our accomplishments count and serve as a sound
foundation for the future efforts of our Branch.
Congratulation to the Board and Members of the Greater Naples Branch!
AAUW Greater Naples Branch Will Serve another 250 Local 5th-Grade Girls through its
27th Annual STEAM Girls Count Program in 2024!
This program is designed to inspire girls to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to teach them that the arts are part of, and not apart from STEM.
The Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, Inc. supports the program, which includes delivery to 5th-grade girls at Collier County Public Schools and New Horizons of:
• Two STEAM project kits/experiments to complete at home
• The book, Girls Think of Everything, written and signed by Catherine Thimmesh, about women scientists and inventors; and
• Access to professionally produced videos of local women in STEAM careers, and videos of local women pursuing degrees in STEM fields, together with their biographies; and
• Safety goggles and feedback forms, all packed into reusable tote bags
95% of the girls responding said that the STEAM Girls Count Program inspired them to want to learn more about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and STEAM careers.
To volunteer, contact Carol Siwinski
We are very excited to recognize our generous new donors to the 2024 program, Suncoast Credit Union, the Hyman Family Foundation, and Engel & Völkers! We thank them and our generous recurring donors Arthrex, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Collier County Public Schools. Without their support, this program would not be possible.
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