Most significant of course is our Fund Raiser, Perfect Pairings III which raised over $3000 for the San Juan Research & Projects Grant. Our goal with the grant is to grow it to $80K and we’re well over half way there. This year we had our first official AAUW scholar, Katie Miranda, who gave us a program about her PhD research at UPR-RP and came to the fund raiser to represent what our grant does. Click here to read more and see the photos!
This year, after months of planning, we also conducted two BRIDGE workshops, one for STEM careers and one for art careers. We intend to continue to develop BRIDGE workshops, both in English and in Spanish, on these topics as well as new ones. To read more about the Bridge workshops and see pictures, click here.
Our calendar of monthly programs was stellar. Many thanks to Jo Taylor for two years of wonderful work at our most challenging board position. Certainly the highlight was the program on human trafficking in Puerto Rico, given by Cesar Rey, and attended by well over 100 people, members and guests. This topic is of great interest to our members, and Jo Taylor has agreed to coordinate follow up projects on the topic next year. Mary Anne Maldonado, our new VP of Programs will be convening meetings over the summer to discuss ideas and speakers for next year.
Socially, as always, we were very active! Our End of the Summer Party (September), Gourmet Kick-off (October), Holiday Party (December), Final Meeting Pot Luck and our Labor Day weekend Cocktail Party (both in May), kept members and guests in touch and in good spirits. New this year, we had a trips and tours committee that focused on local art museums, and the movie group, despite no proclaimed leader) got off to the movies on many Wednesdays. Great Decisions was a huge draw this year, with more than 20 participants at some meetings. Book Club added new members and enjoyed thoughtful discussions. The international Women’s Issues group tackled the human trafficking issue and was prominent in getting the topic before all our members at the January meeting. We also celebrate Women’s History Month with a joint luncheon with the Newcomer’s Club of San Juan.