AAUW – Gaylord Area Branch

Brenda Brummel Chosen as 2024 Woman Making History Honoree

AAUW Gaylord Area Branch announces Brenda C. Brummel as its 2024 “Woman Making History” awardee.

Brenda is being 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. The students were engaged in mission trips to Detroit, the UP and South Dakota.  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 Brummel is AAUW’s 2024 “Woman Making History” Honoree

Join us to celebrate Brenda at BJ’s Event Center, Gaylord, on Sunday, March 10 at 12:30 PM.  Tickets are $25 per person at Hogan’s Jewelers, Oliver Chiropractic or from any AAUW Gaylord Area Branch member.

AAUW Honors Founding Member Bonnie Vance

At our November 2023 meeting, we honored Bonnie Vance’s pioneering efforts in helping to establish the Gaylord AAUW Branch.  In 1973, Bonnie, along with a small group of other Gaylord area women, had the foresight to form the Gaylord Branch, which still prospers today!   We thanked Bonnie with a luncheon and a contribution from our Branch to the local Girl Scouts organization in honor of Bonnie.  We were excited to have Amy Shamroe, AAUW Michigan President-Elect, attend that meeting, as well.  Thank you to all who prepared and served the delicious luncheon!

Founding AAUW Gaylord Member, Bonnie Vance was honored at our luncheon

(L-R): Bonnie Vance, Any Shamroe (AAUW Michigan President-Elect), Helen Mate and Mary Tomaski (Gaylord Branch Co-Presidents)


Thank You for Another Successful Used Book Sale!

Thanks to your support, we had another successful Used Book Sale!  AAUW volunteers filled the back room of the Otsego County United Way with thousands of donated books.  On Oct 6th and 7th, we had a great turn-out of customers eager to give these books a new home.    The over $2,500 collected at this event will be used to help support programming and awards so local girls and women can further their educational advancement.  It’s a win-win for everyone!

Thank you SO much to all of those who volunteered their time and energy in making this annual event run smoothly, including the 22 AAUW members who lent an hand.  Many friends and relatives of AAUW members were essential in making this event happen.  Thanks also goes to Crossroads, Walmart and the Gaylord High School Key Club for their hard work.  Special thanks goes to the United Way for letting us take over their space with mountains of books!

Just some of the many volunteers who helped out at this year’s sale: CiCi, Helen, Joan, Mary and Barb

Hank enjoys his new book found at the AAUW Used Book Sale.

AAUW Gaylord Area Branch Donates $2,000 to Library for Early Childhood STEM Resources

Mary, Jackie and Audrey pose with checkOtsego County Library Director Jackie Skinner (r), and AAUW Gaylord Area Branch Co-President

Mary Tomaski pose with Audrey Baron, one of the library’s newest patrons. Audrey proudly
displays her library card as Mary hands Jackie AAUW GAB’s $2000 donation to the OCL. The
funds are earmarked for Early Childhood STEM resources to be enjoyed by patrons such as
Audrey.


AAUW Prepares Community Meal

On February 10th AAUW volunteers prepared a Community Meal at the First Congregational Church.  This year’s menu was ham, cheesy potatoes, beans and slaw.  Many members made cookies and donated funds for the project as well.  Thank you to all who helped!

Meal recipients said the dinner was “yummy and one of the best!”  All of our efforts were appreciated.


Emily Lauster Awarded AAUW Education Award

This past spring, the AAUW Gaylord Area Branch granted Gaylord High School graduate Emily Lauster its $1000 Education Award. Emily was a National Honor Society member, an award-winning band member, and active in the Drama Club and Key Club. She has earned the Girl Scout Silver Award. Volunteering in her community, Emily says she has learned “kindness, care, and the importance of making a difference.” Emily will be taking her academic, leadership, creative and volunteering passions to the University of Michigan where she plans to major in psychology.

Kelly Lauster, daughter Emily Lauster and AAUW Gaylord Area Branch Education Committee Member Sheila Simpson celebrate Emily’s award.


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).

In case of inclement weather: If Gaylord Area Schools are closed for weather, we will not meet.

AAUW Gaylord Branch Meeting – May 2023

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.