Jenn Mayfield, Joan Monk, Joanne Meyer, and Sarah Shue

The April Branch Meeting brought together three terrific women with very different expertise.  Jenn Mayfield, our International Chair hosted the panel.

Joan Monk discussed My Sister’s Keeper, AAUW-NYS’ project that grew out of reading Half the Sky. Joan encouraged each of us individually and as a branch to get informed, inspired, and involved. Her best quip of the day — “Comfort the troubled and trouble the comfortable.”

Sarah Hsu, Assistant Professor of Economics at SUNY New Paltz, specializes in the economics of women and poverty and crisis economics. She provided a fast round the world discussion of the impact of the worldwide recession.

JoAnne Myers, Professor of Political Science and Co-director of Women’s Studies at Marist, brought it all closer to home. Her message: that every issue impacting women and families around the globe impact us locally as well — from water to health, infant mortality and food insecurity, and transportation, to mention just a few issues. She cautioned us against “checkbook philanthropy” and encouraged us to action.

Those in attendance left thinking about what issues we’re most passionate about.