Welcome to the Springfield-Annandale, VA Branch of AAUW!

Springfield-Annandale Branch of AAUW

Our branch was organized in March of 1955 and received into the Virginia Division that Fall. Composed primarily of young college educated women at home with young children in a young community of newly built homes, it has evolved into an organization of women of many ages with strong interest in current issues, particularly women’s issues. Our branch has stronglly supported AAUW’s mission. We invite you to browse and learn more about our programs, community impact activities and special interest groups.

 

AAUW Celebrating Over 140 Years 

AAUW Mission Statement

To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. Vision: Equity for all. Values: Non-partisan. Fact based.

AAUW Diversity Statement

In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team, and board of directors. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.

THE 5 STAR NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM rewards affiliates (states, branches, other organizations) for aligning their work with the AAUW strategic plan and other initiatives that foster the organization’s mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls.

Congratulations to the Springfield-Annandale Branch on Achieving ‘Star’ Status in all 5 AAUW Focus Areas!

2025 IncIusion Awards: Judy Baldwin

Samantha Gutierrez Granados, Manas Puri, Charlotte Petrick, Julia Albertani, Brooklyn Aguilar

Five high school Juniors were honored on April 24 for their efforts to promote inclusiveness in their schools and to combat bullying. Two Lake Braddock Secondary School students were awarded the $500 prizes because the Branch’s Student Inclusion Award Committee could not decide between their equally outstanding applications, and, as no applications had been submitted from Thomas Jefferson High School, that prize was available.

Samantha Gutierrez Granados from John Lewis High School sees Artificial Intelligence as the path to inclusiveness now and in the future. She gave a brief explanation of what AI is and isn’t.

Manas Puri volunteered with the Department of Education’s Civil Rights office and is President of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at Lake Braddock. He works to make FBLA be welcoming and inclusive.

Charlotte Petrick from West Springfield High School and Julia Albertani from Annandale High School are concerned with creating acceptance for students with disabilities through sports and other activities. Charlotte introduced her brother Ben who is her inspiration.

Brooklyn Aguilar, also from Lake Braddock, has created a series of lessons for elementary school students on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is president of the Hispanic Students Association.

All five students are involved in many other activities including sports, student government, National Honor Society, Boy Scouts, and academic competitions. They were a delight to meet over cookies and punch after the ceremony.

 

Our annual fundraiser, Spring Fling Luncheon and Silent Auction, was held at the Springfield Golf and Country Club on May 9. Our Silent Auction sold out this year as members and guests bid on their favorite baskets, gift cards, designer bags and many other enticing items. Jewelry and scarves were purchased at our “Take It” tables.

A delicious luncheon followed and all enjoyed listening to our featured speaker, Juliana Valencia, an Emmy-Award-winning reporter in two languages for News 4 and Telemundo 44. She is part of the News 4 Today team and a regular fill-in anchor. Juliana was introduced by Beth Boivin, a new member of our branch. Members and their guests enjoyed Juliana speak about her background and experiences as part of the News 4 Today team.

At the very end of the event Vivian Watts, who is serving in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 39th district, pulled the winning ticket out of our 50:50 raffle basket. And the winner was Debbie Gilligan! This year’s Spring Fling was a huge success.

 

Upcoming Programs:  Irene McGhee, Amy Crolius, Co-VPs for Programs

June Picnic: Occoquan Regional Park, Sunday, June 1 at Noon

We are meeting at Pavilion #4. Lunch, catered by Brickmaker’s Cafe, will be delivered by the staff at 12:30.  As in the past, we will have the Installation of officers.  The cost is $15.00/person.  Guests are welcome, as there is plenty of seating and parking, plus bathrooms nearby.

REGISTER WITH AMY CROLIUS  by May 23rd: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GMDM5T7.

Send your payments by check to our Treasurer, Sharon Draper, at 6913 Pacific Lane  Annandale, Va 22003,  or by PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/E4DY8EN947WCU

Public Policy and Advocacy:  Susan Burk, Public Policy Chair

Too often we hear members complain that they have no idea what National does for them, other than to ask for money. And National does often ask for money. Yet the small but mighty staff at National is busy advancing our Public Policy priorities. Today we face a less than permissive environment, still they persist!

Janine Greenwood, President of the Reston-Herndon Branch of AAUW-VA recently posted the following information in her newsletter to her Branch. Janine serves on AAUW National’s Public Policy Committee. The following is a list of recent actions taken by AAUW’s National staff courtesy of Janine Greenwood.

AAUW National

In case you wonder what AAUW National does, the Public Policy team has had a very busy March. All letters endorsed can be found on the AAUW website here. Following are the letters and bills endorsed in the month of March.

Coalition Letters AAUW Joined:

  • Letter to Congress Leadership on Protecting and Preserving Public Access to Federal Data (2/11/25)
  • Letter to Senate HELP Committee Leadership Opposing Linda McMahon’s Nomination as U.S.
  • Letter to Senators Opposing Confirmation of Linda McMahon as the U.S. Secretary of Education (2/19/25)
  • Letter to House & Senate Committee Leaders on Protecting Students from $2.7 billion Pell Grant Budget Shortfall (2/26/25) 
  • Urging Congress to Protect and Secure Postsecondary Data, Research, and Student Data Privacy (3/10/25)
  • Letter to the Senate Opposing the Nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be Assistant Attorney General for Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (3/11/25)

Bills Endorsed:

  • Caring for All Families Act (R.1002/S.437) (endorsed on 2/3/25)
  • John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (R.14) (endorsed on 3/4/25)
  • Salary Transparency Act (R.2007) (endorsed on 3/12/25)
  • Equal Pay Day Resolution (Con.Res.21) (endorsed on 3/17/25)
  • Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution (Res.23) (endorsed on 3/18/25)
  • Establish the Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (J.Res.80/S.J.Res.38) (endorsed on 3/24/25)
  • Paycheck Fairness Act (bill yet to be published) (endorsed on 3/25/25)

Get Out the Vote (GOTV)

This year, Virginia will be electing a new Governor, LT governor, Attorney General, and every member of the General Assembly. It is not hyperbole to say that all eyes will be on Virginia this fall which is being widely characterized as a bellwether election.

Once again, we will be writing postcards for Reclaim Our Vote, a program that seeks to reach out to infrequent or underrepresented, mostly minority voters, i.e., those who are less likely to vote in non-presidential elections. Last year, Springfield-Annandale wrote 500 postcards but we could have written more. Our demand from potential writers, has usually exceeded our supply of cards. I will be contacting you soon to find out how many postcards you plan to write this year so we have enough when we get started. Think about hosting a postcard writing party, too. This is a great opportunity to get together with Branch friends while we GOTV.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Virginia Elections

Democratic and Republican Primary Elections

Early In-person voting is Friday, May 2 through Wednesday, June 14.

Primary Election Day is June 17.

General Election

Early In-Person voting is Tuesday, September 9 through Saturday, November 1.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.

And make sure you are registered to vote!

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/view-your-info/

Two Minute Activist

Finally, are you signed up for Two Minute Activist? AAUW and women across the country and around the world need your voice.

Be a Two Minute Activist Fight for equal pay, family leave, stopping sexual harassment, and equal opportunity in education from the comfort of your own home. Sign up to be a Two Minute Activist and get regular alerts and the opportunity to take action. AAUW.org/act/two-minute-activist/. It couldn’t be easier!

Did You Know? You can sign up now to start your free, online salary negotiation workshop. Just go to https://salary.aauw.org/ to begin. AAUW Start Smart is designed for college women who are approaching the job market. AAUW Work Smart is designed for women in the workforce at any career level.

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