AAUW plans convention in PI

    PRESQUE ISLE — AAUW of Maine will hold its annual State Convention in Presque Isle on May 1-2 titled “The Future is Now: 21st Century Women Step Up,” the event will focus on the AAUW mission: advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.     On Friday evening, an awards banquet will honor Sharon Barker, recipient of the AAUW Achievement Citation Award and a recent inductee into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame. The Saturday morning program, featuring several local educators, will examine educational challenges facing women and girls in today’s rapidly-changing world. Members of the public are cordially invited to call and reserve a seat for the dinner or the morning program.
    A pre-meeting tour of the Vera Estey house and a guided walk, led by Presque Isle Historical Society Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary Kim Smith, will take place Friday afternoon. At 6 p.m., guests will meet at the Northeastland Hotel for dinner and presentation of the AAUW Achievement Citation Award to Barker. This award is presented in recognition of meritorious service to the women and girls of Bangor, the University of Maine and the state of Maine. Because Barker has roots in Aroostook County, it will be a special pleasure to host the presentation of this award in Presque Isle. Friends and family of Barker’s are encouraged to join AAUW members for the event, by RSVP only.
    Saturday morning’s program will begin at 9 a.m, as Ellen Schneider, assistant superintendent of SAD 1, and colleague Donna Lisnik, assistant principal of Presque Isle High School, give the keynote presentation, “Assessing Educational Goals and Strategies Amidst the Dynamics of Change,” with PowerPoint, and discussion. Following this discussion, a panel of local educators will share research, experiences and publications from their professions. Topics include “My Trip to NASA,” by Mena Irving, SAD 45; “Inspiring Courage in Girls,” by Anja Whittington, UMPI; “Of Moose and Women: Sarah Palin in the Political Cartoons,” by Alice Shepard, UMPI; and “Mapping the Diabetes Genome,” by Deb McGann, MSSM.
    Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m., with Rene Laliberty sharing an insider’s view of the Upward Bound program.
    AAUW invites all those interested in attending Friday or Saturday to call Donna Hurley, 498-6622, or Pat Rathbun, 762-1791. Friday dinner is $35 per person. Saturday non-member fee of $25 covers program and lunch.
    RSVP by April 26.