AAUW Offering “Back to School” Financial Assistance
The Gaylord AAUW Branch is seeking applications for our Winter Education Award. If you are a woman living in Otsego County and are continuing your post-secondary education, click here for more information. At least one $1,000 award will be granted to an Otsego County woman to help finance her continued schooling. Deadline for submission is January 24, 2025.
Education Committee Chair, Mary Tomaski recently noted, “One mission of our Gaylord AAUW group is to encourage local women to achieve as high level of education as possible. With more education comes more career opportunities for our community’s women. The timing of this award is to be a financial boost for the second semester or to help with the final stretch of a certification program.” Don’t pass up this opportunity!
Destiny Bradford received last year’s Winter Education Award
AAUW Used Book Sale a Roaring Success!
The Gaylord AAUW Branch held a very successful “Used Book Sale” this past weekend, raising close to $3,000 (a new record)! We truly appreciate all who turned out and made purchases of gently used books, as well as those who donated books to this cause. All proceeds from this sale go towards educational awards and programming for local girls and women.
Two happy customers at our 2024 Used Book Sale
As always, this achievement could only take place with the assistance of many local organizations and individuals. Thank you SO much to Family Fare, Oliver Chiropractic, United Way, Otsego County Sportsplex, Gordon Food Service and Meyer Ace Hardware for letting us park donation barrels at your locales. Assistance in holding this event came from the United Way of Otsego County, Crossroads Industries, Walmart Academy, the Otsego County Fire Department and Bobby McNamara of McNamara Insurance. Thanks to all AAUW Gaylord members who lent a hand with this event from start to finish. Otsego County girls and women will reap great rewards from your generosity and efforts!
These are the Walmart volunteers that quickly and expertly helped us set up the room for the Used Book Sale on Wednesday night, October 3. They also moved books into the United Way Community Room from the trailer where they had been stored. Thank you all!
Here is the first shift of AAUW Gaylord Area Branch members to work the Used Book Sale at the United Way on Friday, October 4.
AAUW Member Allison Boatman Graduates from Leadership Otsego County
AAUW Gaylord Area Branch Co-Presidents Mary Tomaski and Helen Mate were on-hand to celebrate Allison Boatman’s graduation from Leadership Otsego County (LOC). AAUW sponsored fellow member Allison’s participation in LOC, a ten-month Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce opportunity that “provides emerging leaders with essential leadership skills to plan for and respond to future Otsego County challenges”. Allison completed the initiative with 11 other classmates who were all acknowledged during a graduation program on July 11th at BJ’s Event Center. Congratulations, Allison!
L to R: Mary Tomaski, Allison Boatman and Helen Mate at LOC graduation.
Brenda Brummel Honored at 2024 Woman Making History Event
Brenda Brummel was honored by the AAUW Gaylord Area Branch as this year’s “Woman Making History”. A luncheon was held on March 10th at BJ’s Event Center, where 65 attendees came out to congratulate Brenda. A silent auction was held during the event to raise funds which are used for education awards given to local Otsego County women.
Brenda Brummel was surrounded by family and friends at the 2024 Women Making History luncheon.
Brenda was honored for the impact she has had on innumerable local youth through her open-minded approach to community, philanthropy, and spirituality. Sponsored by her church, Brenda led KIDZ ON A MISSION, a class in which the students studied various religions and visited several churches, temples and mosques. She is currently the youth group leader at the Gaylord First Congregational Church where the same approach has been taken to introduce the students to diverse religious, ethnic and racial populations.
Following the sudden death of her son, Brenda found comfort and support in Compassionate Friends, a nonprofit organization aiding loved ones in coping with devastating loss. Her involvement led to becoming a co-chair of the national conference and producing the newsletter. She continues her involvement in the local Otsego County Chapter. In this capacity, she has guided many devastated parents through the agony of their losses.
Brenda displaying the plaque given to her at the luncheon.
AAUW Prepares Community Meal
On February 23rd, AAUW volunteers prepared a Community Meal at the First Congregational Church. This year’s menu was ham, cheesy potatoes, beans and slaw. Many AAUW members made cookies and donated funds cover the cost of the meal. Over 60 guests came out to enjoy the food and comradery. Thank you to all who helped!
AAUW members prepared a Community Meal: (l to r) Helen Mate, Maggie Wallin, Jan Kellogg and Brenda Brummel
Please Join Us!
If you want to see what we do you can stop by our lunch meetings to check us out. We meet at noon on the second Wednesday of the month at the Otsego County Library (700 S. Otsego Ave.,Gaylord, MI 49735), and feel free to bring a sack lunch. We do not meet in July. In June and December we have an informal potluck at various locations. If you can’t make it to our lunch meetings, you can still be involved in our mission through our various activities (see the “About Us” page).
A great time was had by all at our annual Christmas potluck!
In case of inclement weather: If Gaylord Area Schools are closed for weather, we will not meet.
Consider donating to AAUW
All funds go towards Education Awards and programming for local girls and women.
Mail your contribution to AAUW, P.O. Box 1031, Gaylord, MI 49734
Make your check out to “AAUW-Gaylord Area Branch”
Thank you!
AAUW Gaylord Area Branch: Advancing equity & education for women & girls since 1973.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a nationwide organization that advances equity and education for women and girls. The Gaylord Area Branch empowers through education awards, educational programs, and honoring the achievements of local women. For more information email aauwgaylord@gmail.com.