APRIL 2015
BULLETIN
Volume 42, Issue 8
BIRMINGHAM BRANCH
Birmingham, Michigan
Since 1920
birmingham-mi.aauw.net
HAVEN
ITEM
FOR APRIL
SATURDAY BRUNCH
APRIL 18, 2015
Small cereal
boxes
The Village Club
190 East Long Lake
Bloomfield Hills, 48304
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR
Tues., April 14, 10:30 am: Equal Pay
Day, Lansing.
Meet and Greet - 9:30 - 10 am
Buffet Brunch - 10 am
(Valet available, tips appreciated)
Sat., April 25, 10 am: Bloomfield
Twp. Library. U of M speaker Josh
Sangmeyer. Topic: Health Policy.
Hosted by our branch and LWV.
Speaker: Collette Cullen, motivational educator.
Thurs., May 7: 8 am, Diversity
Champion Breakfast, Community
House - Birmingham.
Keller’s teacher, Annie Sullivan Macy, her methods in teaching and
its relevance to the teaching of reading today.
Wed., May 13, 2015: Birmingham
Branch Lavish Luncheon, Pine Lake
Country Club. (see pg. 7)
Menu: Scrambled eggs, hash brown potatoes, bacon, fresh fruit,
Program: Historical and philosophical overview of Helen
Sat - Sun., May 15-16, 2015: AAUW
State Convention, Escanaba. Bus
travels 5/14 and 5/17.
May 28-31: NCCWSL National
Conference, College Park, Maryland.
Sun., May 31: 2 pm, Theater Goers to
see “Aida” at Stagecrafters, Royal
Oak. (See pg. 8)
Sat., April 30, 2016: Birmingham
Branch to host 2016 AAUW State
Convention at Somerset Inn, Troy.
and fresh baked muffins. Vegetarian/lactose intolerant/gluten free
available. Coffee, tea, orange juice.
Reservation Deadline - Saturday, April 11
Please send $27 per person, check payable to
AAUW Birmingham Branch, and program-only reservations,
to Pam Hoffman, 2077 Burgundy Street, West Bloomfield, 48323
[email protected] 248-865-7257
Sorry, no refunds.
Hostesses: Breakfast Bunch
NEW MEMBER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Geetha Balakrishnan was born and raised in India, earning her undergraduate degree in Kerala. She
and her husband pursued "higher studies" in Ireland and England, and then a job offer at Wayne State and
Detroit Medical Center brought them to Michigan. With her masters degree in computer Information
systems, Geetha worked part-time at KMart headquarters, Michigan National Bank, and the Troy Public
Library while caring for her young daughter at home.
Recent health issues have slowed her AAUW involvement, but Geetha hopes to volunteer in the
community and the branch very soon. She loves reading, cooking and travel.
__________Barbara Gash, Co-editor_______________________
APRIL 2015
AAUW BULLETIN
AAUW Bulletin,
Vol. 42, Issue 8
2
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
A phrase from Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics for Carousel
announces: “May is full of promises!” Our May 13 Lavish Luncheon is full
The AAUW Birmingham Branch Bulle- of promises for all of you! This year’s theme is Baubles and Bows
tin is published monthly, September featuring accessories, jewelry and fashions from Franklin Boutique and
through June, for the members of the Simply the Best. Our branch members will model again this year.
branch.
AAUW Birmingham Board
Branch President:
Sue Longstreet
248-332-2284
Vice President-Program:
Karen Boyk
248-321-6026
Vice President-Membership:
Sandra Dickerson
248-673-8591
Recording Secretary:
Sandi Spencer
248-651-5491
Corresponding Secretary:
Patty Orlowski
248-641-3892
Treasurer:
Sally Doty
248-909-4583
Dues Treasurer:
Eileen Hitz
248-642-7325
Study Group Coordinator:
Lynn Hipp
248-420-4615
Communications:
Jean Ivory
248-454-8750
Branch Website:
birmingham-mi.aauw.net
Bulletin Editor:
Marion Muma
Co-Editor:
Barb Gash
We promise a variety of fabulous baskets and gifts donated by our
Study/Interest groups. We promise a delicious luncheon in the company
of members, friends and guests. We promise your generosity will
enhance our local scholarships and charitable giving.
A new addition to this year’s Lavish Luncheon is the 52 Card
Vacation Raffle—only 52 chances to bid on a week’s stay at Shanty
Creek Vacation Club in Bellaire, MI October 16-23. See the related article
in this bulletin on page 3.
The Lavish Luncheon is Wednesday, May 13, at Pine Lake Country
Club. Doors will open at 11:00 with luncheon served at noon. Random
Raffle tickets are $3.00 each or 5 for $10.00. A chance on the 52 Card
Vacation Raffle is $25.00. You’ll find the registration form in this bulletin.
Please note: you do NOT have to send checks together if you have a
group; just have everyone register and indicate seating preferences.
If you can’t attend, please consider a donation to AAUW Birmingham
Branch Foundation, Inc., sent to Carol Pyke. For reservation information,
contact Pam Hoffman, 248-865-7257. For other information, contact chair
Patty Orlowski, 248-641-3892.
We promise you a wonderful afternoon—and we promise you won’t be
disappointed!
The Lavish Luncheon Committee
248-792-9780
248-338-3011
Bulletin copy deadline is the 10th of the
previous month. Send copy
and/or corrections to:
[email protected]
AAUW of Michigan info: aauwmi.org
OUR 2015
AAUW FUNDS
HONOREE
DIANE M.
SCHRIFT
Betty Cole Blenman,
Honorary life Member:
(AAUW Birmingham
Branch
parliamentarian
Diane Schrift is
on the right.)
APRIL 2015
AAUW BULLETIN
3
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY:
Misspelled name correction: Carole Alameddine
NEW TO THE LAVISH
LUNCHEON THE 52 CARD VACATION
RAFFLE
One of our members has generously donated a
week at Shanty Creek Vacation Club in Bellaire, MI
from October 16-23. Stay in a two bedroom fullyappointed and furnished condo which sleeps six. Also,
enjoy a round of golf for two—18 holes plus a cart—at
Hawk’s Eye Golf Course. Soak up Michigan’s vibrant
fall colors before our next white winter.
Highlights - Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Treasurer Sally Doty reported that net assets of
the branch were $23,234.70 on February 28, 2015.

President Sue Longstreet reported that Kathy Rice
is our nominee to be honored at the Diversity
Champion Breakfast on Thurs., May 7, at the
Community House.
Here’s how it works: For $25 you purchase one 
half of a playing card. The other half goes into the
raffle basket. If we draw the half that matches yours,
the prize is yours! Since a deck contains only 52 cards,

you have a 1:52 chance to win—pretty good odds! And
if you buy more than one card, those odds are even
better.

We are grateful for this donation—proceeds will
enhance our local scholarships. And we are very
excited about this new addition to our Lavish Luncheon!
For further information, contact chair Patty
Orlowski 248-641-3892. (see Patty below)

The Lavish Luncheon Committee
She also reported that our branch ranked second
in membership in the state. Ann Arbor branch is
larger by one member.
The proposed branch budget presented by
Treasurer Sally Doty was adopted.
Colette Stager reported on developing marketing
plans for the Escanaba convention as well as
plans for hospitality bags for our state convention
in May, 2016 at Somerset. Ideas and suggestions
for free items sources are welcome.
Pam Hoffman reported that we have identified two
young university students who will attend
NCCWSL in May, and the search is on for a third.
.
Highlights - Annual Meeting
Wednesday, March 11, 2015

The branch members elected the proposed slate
of officers:
President: Sue Longstreet
Vice President-Programs: Kathy Rice
Corresponding Secretary: Mary Samulski

The following members were certified as delegates
to the AAUW of Michigan State Convention on
May 15-16, 2015:
Sue Longstreet, Karen Boyk, Sandra Spencer,
Patty Orlowski. Other delegates may be added.

Sue Longstreet and Patty Orlowski were chosen to
be branch representatives to the AAUW National
Convention on June 19-21, 2015. Other branch
representatives may be added.
APRIL 2015________
AAUW BULLETIN
STUDY AND INTEREST GROUP CALENDAR
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Beyond The Edge
Topic: Socrates Café
Hostess: Annis Pratt, 248-644-0737
1 pm, Mon., April 13
The Writing Group
1:30 pm, Tues., April 21
Topic: Writing from Prompt
Hostess: Sue Frankie, 248-855-6149
________
4_
AAUW AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Evening Public Policy
Topic: Immigration Reform
Hostess: Karen Linnell – 248-594-9871
7 pm, Thurs., April 9
International Relations
10 am, Monday, April 6
Topic: 1980-1993 Israel & Palestine: The Oslo Accords
& the Invasion of Lebanon
Hostess: Pam Burke, 810-694-0456
Modern Art
12:30 pm, Thurs., April 23
Topic: Isamu Noguchi (@ Bloomfield Twp. Senior Center)
The Breakfast Bunch
8:30 am, Tues., April 28
Coordinator: Michelle Stephens, 248-310-2719
Topic: TBD
Location: Kerby’s Koney Island, Square Lake/Woodward
Music Appreciation
1 pm, Thurs., April 16
Co-chairs: Callie Schmidt (248-334-6943) &
Topic: Dr. Greenberg lecture
Patty Orlowski (248-641-3892)
Hostess/Presenter: Gaye Bluford, 248-683-2335
ON THE TOWN
BOOK CLUBS
Afternoon Readers
1 pm, Thurs., April 16
Topic: Mr. President, Harlow Unger
Hostess: Sally Jackson, 248-644-5990
Excursions Unlimited
No Meeting Scheduled
Opera Divas
9:30 am, Mon., April 20
Location: Bloomfield Twp. Library
Discussion: Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana,
Belles Lettres
7:30 pm, Thurs., April 2
Presenter: Barbara Gash
Topic: Annie’s Ghost: A Journey into a Family’s
and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. Presenter: Lana Klingensmith
Secret, Steve Luxenberg
Performance Date: April 25, 12:30 pm
Hostess: Biani Moran, 248-646-7387
Contact Lorraine Clay, 313 535 2787
Beyond Adelante!
6:30 pm, Tues., April 7 (Please RSVP for discussion)
Topic: Silent Spring, Rachel Carson
Theater Goers
Sunday, May 31, 2 pm
Hostess: Marianne Donohue, 248-647-4027
Event: Aida, at Stagecrafters, Royal Oak
Contemporary Books
12:30 pm, Mon., April 20 Tickets are $20. Please send check payable to AAUW
Topic: Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline
Birmingham to Sharon Grisdale, 2961 Viking Dr.,
Hostess: Ruth Goulding, 248-792-7125
Commerce Twp., MI 48390. Checks due to
Morning After Readers
9:30 am, Mon., April 13 Sharon by April 30. (see pg. 8)
Topic: Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline
Two Thumbs Up
Thurs., April 2
Hostess: Linda Schnorbus, 248-723-5008
Time, location and movie determined by hostess.
Mystery Book Club
1 pm, Wed., April 22 Hostess: Michelle Stephens, 248-338-1294
Topic: Murder by Misrule, Anna Castle
Hostess: Mary Samulski, 248-723-5008
JUST FOR FUN
Northside Books
1 pm, Monday, April 27
Topic: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity For
Women Worldwide, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
Hostess: Sue Meneilley, 248-626-6167
Mah Jongg
Wed., 1:30 pm, April 1, 15, 22, 29
Hostess: Sue Frankie – 248-855-6149
Bridge
4th Monday
April 27, 11:30 am, Peabody’s (upstairs)
(Please note location change)
st
April 7, 11:00 am, Village Club
Political Inquiry
10:30 am, Wed., April 15 1 Tuesday
Hostess: Beverly Pintar– 248-626-4311
Topic: A Fighting Chance, Elizabeth Warren
3rd Wednesday
April 15, 11:30 am, Village Club
Hostess: Gaye Bluford, 248-683-2335
Chair: Mary Hines – 248-642-1881
Potpourri
12 pm, Wed., April 22 3rd Wednesday Evening
April 15, 5:30 pm, Heathers
Topic: Marie Curie and Her Daughters: The Private
Chair: Kay Norton –248-737-0648
Lives of Science’s First Family, Shelley Emling
2nd Thursday
April 9, 11:30 am, Village Club
Hostess: Sally Wells, 248-269-9436
Chair: Lynn Gavras - 248-851-2414
2nd Friday
April 10, 11:30 am, Village Club
HOME AND GARDEN
Chair: Mary Lou Harrison - 248-643-8983
Artistic Endeavors
No event scheduled
3rd Friday
April 17, 11:30 am, Village Club
Green Thumb
Tues., 12:30-2, April 21 Chair: Carol Wiseman – 248-540-2178
Topic: Better Living Through Worms
4th Friday (Duplicate)
April 24, 11:30 am, Village Club
Hostess: Kathy Wentz, 248-852-0792
Chair: Kay Norton –248-737-0648
Let’s Cook - What’s New for Lunch
Tues., noon, April 28
Hostess: Sonia Just, 248-646-2321
Cooking Light
Thurs., 12 noon, April 30
(NOTE: Date Change)
Program: Field Trip to Henry Ford
Hostesses: Joanne Brown (248-642-2118) &
Corine Alonso (248-528-1508)
CONTACTS
Sue Frankie for bridge - 248-855-6149;
Lynn Hipp for calendar changes - 248-420-4615;
Info due before the 10th of the month.
Study/Interest Group Membership – call Chair listed
In the AAUW Directory, pages 8-10.
Lynn Hipp
APRIL 2015
AAUW BULLETIN
_
_______
5
American Association of University Women
2015-2016 Dues Renewal Information
Amount Due
Renew online at www.aauw.org.
Member, Birmingham Branch $78
( **Assoc. $49; State $12, plus Branch $17)
DEADLINE FOR THE
2015-2016
DIRECTORY - JUNE 30
Paid Life Member - $29 (State & Branch)
Student Affiliate - $19 (State & Branch)
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
BEFORE THAT DATE IN ORDER TO BE
INCLUDED IN THE NEW DIRECTORY.
Dual Member - $17
(State & national dues paid to another
branch)
Please complete form below exactly as
Honorary Member - 0
you wish it to be printed in the directory
and indicate any changes including phone **$46.00 of the $49.00 AAUW dues are
number or email address.
deductible as a charitable contribution for IRS
purposes.
AAUW 2015-16 BIRMINGHAM DUES RENEWAL
PLEASE PRINT
Your Name__________________________________________________________
Check the appropriate box:
_____ All MY INFORMATION IS CORRECT or
_____ MAKE THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS TO THE
DIRECTORY MATERIAL AS PRINTED IN THE 2014-15 DIRECTORY.
Address____________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________________ Zip_____________
E-mail Address_______________________________________________________________
Phone(s) Home_____________________________
Cell ____________________________
Make checks payable to AAUW-Birmingham Branch and send with the completed form to
Karen Boyk, 385 Tanglewood Ct., Rochester Hills, MI 48309. [email protected].
APRIL 2015
AAUW BULLETIN
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6
2015-16 Women’s Issues now on Michigan Legislative Docket
HEALTHCARE:
House Bill 4309: “Religious Liberty & Conscience Protection Act”. Sponsor Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R-Plainwell)
Status: Introduced in House and referred to House Health Policy committee. Would allow medical facilities, health care
payers/purchasers, to refrain from offering health care services and procedures based on moral or religious beliefs.
House Bill 4279: Sponsor Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R-Plainwell)
Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the Government Operations Committee. Would define life as beginning
at conception and would apply to fertilized eggs used in in-vitro procedures.
House Bill 4241: Sponsor Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center). Co-sponsors Howrylak, Crawford.
Status: Introduced in House and referred to House Health Policy Committee. Would require a physician to listen for a
fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion and, if detected, offer patient option of hearing or seeing heartbeat .
Senate Bill 4: Sponsor Sen. Mike Shirley (R-Clarklake). “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”
Status: Introduced in Senate and referred to Judiciary Committee. Would excuse any person from any state or local law
they claim “burdens” their exercise of religion, including beliefs that do not stem from any established religion.
Senate Bill 27: Sponsor Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge). Co-sponsors Marleau, Robertson.
Status: Introduced in Senate and referred to Health Policy Committee. Would add “allergic response” and “anesthesiarelated complications” to list of already required information already being reported by providers.
Senate Bill 63: Sponsor Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing).
Status: Referred to House Insurance Committee. Would repeal current law that prohibits all private and public health
insurance companies from offering plans that cover abortion care. Current law requires a woman to purchase a
separate insurance policy prior to becoming pregnant; and pregnant woman are ineligible for coverage even if pregnant
from rape, incest, or if their health is in danger.
House Bill 4145: Sponsor Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center).
Status: Referred to House Appropriations Committee. Would defund Planned Parenthood and deny contracts and
funding to hospitals that offer abortion services.
House Bill 4146: Sponsor Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center).Co-sponsor Howrylak.
Status: Referred to House Health Policy Committee. Would require all abortions performed after 19 weeks gestation to
be done in a hospital with a neonatal unit. (There are only a handful of hospitals that perform abortions in the state, and
it is unknown if they all have neonatal units. This could render abortions post 19 weeks inaccessible in all cases,
including those involving rape, incest, and health of the mother.)
Senate Bill 84, House Bill 4140: Sponsors Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Twp) and Rep. Tom Hooker
(R- Byron Center). Co-sponsors Senators Marleau, Knollenberg, Robertson.
Status: Passed out of Senate Transportation and House Infrastructure and House Transportation Committee. Would
require development of a “Choose Life” fund-raising plate by Right to Life of Michigan.
House Bill 4218: Sponsor: Rep. Charles Smiley (D-Grand Blanc).
Status: Introduced in House and referred to House Health Policy Committee. Would require emergency and urgent care
health facilities to provide info about, and administration of, emergency contraception to sexual assault victims.
ECONOMIC AND FAMILY ISSUES:
Senate Bill 101 and House Bill 4167: Sponsors Sen. Jim Ananich (D-Flint), Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit)
Status: Referred to House Commerce and Trade Committee. Would require employers to offer 1 hr. of sick leave for
every 30 hrs. worked and apply to both part-time and full-time employees.
House Bill 3024: Sponsor Rep. Robert Kosowski (D-Westland). Co-sponsors Moss, Wittenberg, Greig.
Status: Referred to House Commerce and Trade Committee. Would require some employers to give employees 4
weeks leave for newborns or adoption, and protects employees from employer discrimination.
House Bill 4188, 4189 4190, Sponsor Rep. LaFontaine (Re- Colombus), Rep. Harvey Santana (D-Detroit),
Rep. Eric Leuthesusor (R-Hillsdale). Co-sponsors Crawford, Runestad, Webber, Jacobsen.
Status: Passed House Families, Children and Seniors Committee: Would allow adoption agencies to object to child
placement based on religious or moral convictions. (Could deny same-sex couples the freedom to adopt or foster
children who need good, stable homes.)
The above information is presented by the AAUW Birmingham Branch Public Policy Committee.
Branch members may wish to ask their legislators to support or vote against each bill.
APRIL 2015
AAUW BULLETIN
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_
7
Lavish Luncheon - Baubles and Bows
A fundraising event supporting scholarships
and NCCWSL attendees
.
Pine Lake Country Club
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Basket raffle begins at 11:00 a.m.
Luncheon at noon
$50.00 per person - $20.00 is tax deductible
Bring your guests and join your branch friends for an afternoon of
delicious food, conversation, music—and a fashion show highlighting
accessories and jewelry.
Reservations for you and your friends will be accepted at the April
branch luncheon, or you may send your check and the form below to
Pam Hoffman, 2077 Burgundy St.
West Bloomfield 48323
Please make your checks payable to:
AAUW Birmingham Branch Foundation, Inc.
Reservation deadline: April 30, 2015
Seating will be assigned, so if you wish to sit with friends and guests, please include
their names on the form below and send your checks together. Tables of eight.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please return this form with your check
Your name______________________________________________________________________
Names of guest(s)_____________________________________________________________________
I would like to sit with:
Postmaster Form P.O.D. 3579
Karen Linnell
1025 Fairfax
Birmingham, MI 48009
Virginia Gildersleeve
International Fund (VGIF)
VGIF, an organization which our branch
supports, is named after Virginia Gildersleeve,
one of the founders of the International
Federation of University Women. VGIF provides
grants globally to fund locally generated projects
that help improve the lives of women and girls
by advancing women’s rights and social justice.
Among their current projects is one to give
vocational training to 30 girls in Nigeria and
another is to fund a gynecological care clinic in
Burundi. For more information go to:
[email protected]
Joan A. H. Black
International Relations Chair
Entered as a Periodical in
Birmingham, Michigan
THEATER GOERS
Sunday, May 31
2:00 pm
"Aida” by Elton John
at Stagecrafters
415 S Lafayette Ave,
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Tickets $20.
Deadline for reservations - April 30.
Send checks made out to AAUW
Birmingham Branch to Sharon Grisdale
2961 Viking Drive
Commerce Twp. MI 48390