Advancing Gender Equity through Research, Education and Advocacy

Received 4 Stars of AAUW’s 5 Star National Recognition Program in 2022-2023.
Instrumental in the building of the first library in St. Johns County.
Spearheaded the formation of Learn to Read in St. Johns County.
Established scholarships for students who have completed their first year of college.
Initiated a Read-A-Loud Program in local schools.
Started STEM Spark, a STEM career event for middle school girls to meet women STEM professionals.
Instrumental in supporting three research studies on Women’s Economic Security.
As a non-partisan organization, encouraged every citizen to vote.

Download Our Strategic Plan – Strat Plan digest 2024

AAUW 2023-24 Accomplishments

AAUW Condemns Actions to Undermine the U.S. Department of Education

read letter here: AAUW condemns cuts to Dept of ED

take action: take action by contacting Congress

STEM Event for St Johns County Middle School Girls

May 3, 2025, 9:00-12:00 For complete information and to register click the link below:

STEM educational Event May 3rd

April 15th Branch Meeting

Speakers and Film

April’s meeting featured two speaker guests from Compassionate St Augustine and Council on Aging who updated us on their organizations and what they are doing in the community.The speakers were followed by a screening of the wonderful 2019 -14 minute short film- A Child Again produced by our own member, Nola D Oracle founder of Diaspora Whispers Studios.

Nancy Murphy and Arthur Culbert, Co-Founders Compassionate St Augustine

Amy Robinson, Development Manager, Council on Aging

Nola D Oracle founder of Diaspora Whispers Studios

March 18th Women’s History Month Meeting and tea

Speaker UNF Professor, Dr Elizabeth Brown, Asst Chair and Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences discussed how stereotypes influence perceptions of partisans and women political leaders

Thursday March 20th AAUW St Augustine along with JAX NOW and the League of Women Voters, First Coast, celebrated women’s (un)Equal Pay Day with facts about pay inequity and steps we could take to bring awareness to this issue. Link below to info on pay inequity: The_Not_SoSimple_Truth_Gender_Pay_Gap_2025-1

February Black History Awareness Month

Nevertheless, She Persisted!

Speakers Cynthia Garris, Robin Thomas and Nola D. Oracle discussed their persistence in the face of challenges and obstacles.

Pictured: Robin Thomas, Executive Director, Compassionate St. Augustine (seated); Nola D. Oracle, CEO, Diaspora Film Productions; Carolyn Wilson AAUW St. Augustine Common Ground Chairwoman; and Cynthia Garris, City Commissioner, St. Augustine

January 2025 – Human Trafficking Awareness Month

St. Augustine City Vice Mayor, Barbara Blonder, presented a Human Trafficking Awareness Proclamation to AAUW St. Augustine President, Cathie Altman and Betty Griffin House Representatives during Janaury’s City Council meeting

Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder, AAUW Pres. Cathie Altman, 2 Representatives from Betty Griffin, Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, back row – Commissioners Jim Springfield and Jon DePreter

January 21, 2025 – General Meeting

Panelist, Jennifer Ryan, MPH, CEO of Volunteers in Medicine, Jax; Professor Derek Yonai, Associate Professor of Econonomics and Director of the Brown Innovation Center, Flagler College; Dr. Mary Gatta, Director of Research and Public Policy at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The panelist discussed the potential impact from the inciting administration on women’s health, financial wellbeing and education.

December 17- Holiday Meeting and Party

Speakers, Twanna Swift from Alpha Omega Miracle Home and Niesha Taylor author of -“Divorce Habit: A Kind of Mothering”, were outstanding.

Neisha Taylor

Author’s Luncheon Tuesday Nov. 12

Guest and local St. Augustine Author Tara Lynn Masih spoke about her background, writing inspirations and process at our annual Author’s Luncheon. Her book My Real Name is Hannah is a bestselling debut novel for young readers and adults set in WW II Ukraine, and was a finalist in the National Jewish Book Awards. After a Q & A, Tara sold signed copies of this book and her novella and stories, How We Disappear.

Author Tara Lynn Masih

A raffle was held after the meeting to support our local scholarships. Thank you to all who donated items.

Game/Card Party and Buffet Luncheon 2024

Members Betsy Ford, Debbie Shepard (host) and Paula Gradwell

Members playing cards/games

Raffle Baskets raising funds for local scholarships

Speaker Nancy Tray, Branch Member and member of St. Johns County Voters for Strong Public Schools discussed Public Education in St. Johns County as well as other related topics.

St. Johns County School Board Candidate Forum

The St. Johns Public Library was the site of our recent school board candidate forum co-hosted with League of Women Voters Jacksonville/First Coast and moderated by Noah Hertz, from Jacksonville Today. Candidates from District 2; Anthony E. Coleman and Frank Cummings, and District 5; Lynn Strangham, Linda Thompson, Bethany Hilbert and Liliana “Lily Bee” Bristol (in order of photo below) participated. The event was well attended and the audience got to ask a few questions.

Moderator Noah Hertz, League of Women Voters Rhona diCamillo and AAUW Mary Gatta

District 2 Candidates

District 5 Candidates

Postcard Writing

2024 AAUW Florida Tech Trek Participants

Annual Meeting, Scholarship Awards and New Board Member Installation

President Cathie Altman and Scholarship Chair Cathie McGinn

Attendees

Member Carol Rothfeld introducing the Lisa Brasero Scholarship Recipient

STEM Spark at Anastasia Mosquito Control District – Middle School Girls interested in STEM April 27

Stem spark 2024

Members Met with Sen Marco Rubio’s Staff

Gayle Diamant-Holland and Kristi Pierce met with Ashley E. Cook, Senior Regional Director for Senator Marco Rubio’s Northeast Florida Office. They advocated for the Paycheck Fairness Act and provided research done by Dr. Mary Gatta on Economic Insecurity in Florida. They asked Sen Rubio to watch House bill 7137 Trafficking Survivors Relief for criminal records from traffickers forced crimes.

Gayle Holland, Ashley Cook, Rubio's staff and Kristi Pierce