Hastings AAUW Awards Four Scholarships
On May 19th, we will award four Hastings High School seniors with a total of $8000 in scholarships: Two $2,500 for 4-year degrees, and two $1500 for 2-year degrees. That’s a first for our chapter!
AAUW Hastings has been supporting young women through scholarships since 1971. Our first scholarship was $200. Since then the amounts have steadily increased and in 2015 we award our first $2500 scholarship.
In 2023 the chapter decided to add an additional type of scholarship. We awarded one scholarship for a 4-year degree, and one for a 2-year degree. Last year we awarded 3 scholarships, two of them for the 2-year degree. Now in 2025, we are awarding four scholarships, two 4-year and two 2-yaer. We are proud of our Hastings legacy.
Dorothy Sandahl and Danna Elling Schultz KDWA Interview
We have 2 new radio stars in our mist! Hear Dorothy and Danna share AAUW’s mission, vision, and the many opportunities AAUW has to offer. Thank you KDWA 1490 AM Community In-depth for hosting this interview. (Note: conversation begins at 30 seconds, feel free to move forward.)
2025 AAUW MN State Meeting “Cultivating Hope Through History” April 25-26 in Austin Recap Provided by Dorothy Sandahl
Austin AAUW hosted this year annual meeting where a hundred members from around the state shared ideas and learned how other branches are advocating and supporting women and girls in their communities through scholarships and programing, and partnering with local organizations/colleges.
Saturday began early with a welcome message from President Kelsey Waits followed by the business meeting recognizing leaderships, reviewing financials and budget approval.
Awards were distributed: Hastings received awards for Top Ten Contribution and Top Ten Per Capita (inc in membership).
The keynote speaker was Mary Cathryn Ricker. Executive Director, Albert Shanker Institute. Her presentation was based upon the three-legged stool analogy. She called it the ‘Three Points of Contact’. So often we think we need to handle things alone, but she reminded us that the results are positive, balanced and agreeable when we bring a third party into the conversation. Mary has learned as the Executive Director of the Albert Shanker Institute in Washington DC. how to make the deal with so many issues. She is a leader in bargaining for the common good.
Unfortunately guests were unable to tour of the Hormel Cancer Research Center however insight from two female scientists was shared, particularly the impact of food on our health. Older adults need to take Vitamin D3 and B12 supplements besides eating a healthy diet. Diseases linked to the Gut Microbiome are cancer, cardiac, Parkinson’s, MS and Alzheimer’s. “A good way to make the gut happy is to exercise”. It’s the same old story, we should eat healthy, but DNA is also a big factor.
Finally, there was lots of fun had by all. The Auction items were closed and Hastings two baskets provided a generous income to AAUW Funds National.
Hastings Hosted the 2024 AAUW Minnesota Annual Meeting
On April 26, 2024, AAUW MN board of directors and Hastings branch planning team welcomed everyone to the 95th Annual Meeting of AAUW MN. Five more years until our 100th celebration! Imagine what we will achieve in 5 more years especially for our future members. We are poised to celebrate achievements by individuals and our organization. The event was held at the Confluence Hotel. Confluence is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “a coming or flowing together, meeting at one point.” Our Annual Meeting was held in Hastings, Minnesota, at the Confluence of three rivers – The Mississippi, the Vermillion and the St. Croix. Each join together to create a powerful force as it flows through the center of the United States to its final destination.
AAUW MN 2024 Annual Meeting Booklet
AAUW Hastings Branch invites college women to apply for a scholarship to a leadership conference! May 28 – May 30, 2025 College Park, MD
Every year, the National Conference for College Women Scholars (NCCWSL) takes place at the University of Maryland, College Park near Washington, D.C. This event brings together hundreds of college women from across the nation for an immersive, multi-day experience of leadership training, inspiration, and networking. Through engaging workshops and hands-on activities, NCCWSL challenges and inspires attendees to make meaningful impacts on their campuses and communities long after the conference ends.
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- Leadership development: Develop a leadership narrative through voice, skills, and mind-set. Identify and deepen the appreciation of one’s own leadership gifts and areas of growth
- Civic Engagement, Policy, and Advocacy: Learn about issues and policies affecting women locally, nationally, and globally. Develop insight into how, why, and when to take action
- Awareness of Self and Others: Reflect on personal identities and positionality and how they apply personal growth career development. Develop a mindset that prioritizes listening, adapting, and collaborating across cultural differences
- Career Engagement: Connect with mentors and a network of cohort peers. Develop a plan for next career steps.
Applications due APRIL 1, 2025! College women, sophomores, juniors and seniors, are encouraged to apply! Should you have additional questions, email Gail at aauwhastingsbranch@gmail.com.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW), officially founded in 1881, is a non-profit organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.
AAUW Hastings Branch Sent Two Young Women to AAUW’s National Conference for College Women Student Leaders 2024
From Alyssa Nestingen…“I absolutely loved my time at NCCWSL and it was incredibly inspiring to be there! Here are a few photos to share I would love to share my experience with everyone too!”
From Ashley Cabarello… “I really enjoyed my time at NCCWSL. Everyone there was so welcoming and eager to learn how they can improve themselves. My favorite part was the ward ceremony. There were so many talented women who have made such a great impact in our current time, it is very admirable. They gave us words of encouragement to help us push forward. While I loved all the speakers, my favorite speaker was Gitanjalia Rao. She was only 11 when she started making in impact in the STEM field. She is now 18 and is coming out with a new book. She really moved me and made me wanna work harder and push through my future career plans. Overall, this was a life changing experience and I am so blessed I was chosen to experience it.”
AAUW Hastings Joins ERA Rally Day at the Capitol
The Red Wing bus picked us up at 9:00 AM at the old Green Mill and we were dropped off right in front of the Capitol. We took a photo of the group in front of the Capitol with our ERA YES signs.
Inside AAUW had a rally table with lots of
informative brochures. There were many AAUW members and Branch representatives there. The program started at 10:00 AM with speakers, all giving their best reasons for Minnesota to pass the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) bill before the legislature this year and get the ratification vote on the 2026 ballot. It is a long process.
After the speakers, the members visited the legislators’ offices and left notes indicating that
AAUW members wanted the ERA bill to be taken up and passed. Shane Hudella and Judy Seeberger are our representatives in the legislature.