The AAUW WI State Convention is April 22 and 23rd, and it’s virtual! Registration is now closed.  Please use the Contact Us form at the bottom of the page to send us a note requesting registration.

9:30 am – 10:45 am

Business meeting and Installation of officers

11am – 12 pm

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Renee Gralewicz

Land Acknowledgement

Breaking Colonial Mentality by Understanding Its Effects

The 1452 Doctrine of Discovery policy established by Pope Nicholas V was the genesis of colonialism as it authorized the subjugation and confiscation of all properties of peoples deemed “savage.” We’ll explore a few of the devastating policies it generated and some lingering effects in the US.

12-12:25 pm

Lunch break

12:30-1:10 pm Breakout Session 1

Option 1:

Dr. Ozalle Toms – Defining Microaggressions Pt. 1

People who use microaggressions may mean no harm toward the person or group they use it against. They may not even realize that they are making a microaggressive comments or actions. However, microaggressions can be very hurtful to the people who experience them. This session will help attendees define and recognize what microaggressions are.

Option 2:

National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) Participant Panel – Samantha Bullard/Northwoods, Kayley McColley/Wausau, Jasmine Elliot/Janesville

NCCWSL participants are college students recommended by AAUW-WI branches to strengthen their leadership skills and to network with other young women across the U.S. We will hear what their “Ah Ha” moments were at NCCWSL and their plans for future community engagements.  It will be enlightening to hear insights from their generation. 

Option 3:

Jane Banning – Civil Discourse

This non-partisan, non-political class is about ways to connect, understand, and have civil conversations when it seems there are no paths through the thickets. Pick up some fundamental skills in how to converse with people with whom we disagree. Learn a bit about how our brains work (stories vs. facts and data), how to ask a great question, plus a couple of strategies for keeping cool. 

Option 4:

Toni K. Rivera Joachin – Immigration Advocacy

This session will focus on what’s happening with immigration advocacy in Wisconsin and how we, as members of AAUW, can be mobilized to advocate for the rights of immigrants in our state

1:20-2pm Breakout Session 2

Option 1:

Dr. Ozalle Toms – Dealing with Microaggressions Pt. 2

People who use microaggressions may mean no harm toward the person or group they use it against. They may not even realize that they are making a microaggressive comments or actions. However, microaggressions can be very hurtful to the people who experience them. This session will provide attendees with tools to address microaggressions.

Option 2:

Barbara Paterick – National Popular Vote

Do you think everyone’s vote for president should be equal? What’s wrong with how the Electoral College now works and how can it be made more fair? Learn how The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact will ensure that all of our votes will count in the presidential election by making the electoral college winner the same as the national popular vote winner!

Option 3:

Erika Sanders (Madison Fair Housing Council) –  Combatting illegal housing discrimination & enforcing fair housing laws in Wisconsin

Illegal housing discrimination continues to hurt all of us. This presentation will describe our fair housing rights and the forms of unlawful discrimination that still occur in our housing markets. We will discuss ways we can work together to build more equitable, inclusive communities.

Option 4:

Jane Banning – Civil Discourse (This is a repeat of Ms. Banning’s presentation in Session 1.)

This non-partisan, non-political class is about ways to connect, understand, and have civil conversations when it seems there are no paths through the thickets. Pick up some fundamental skills in how to converse with people with whom we disagree. Learn a bit about how our brains work (stories vs. facts and data), how to ask a great question, plus a couple of strategies for keeping cool. 

2:10-2:50 pm

Option 1:

Christine Smith, Julie Konik, & Julie Mavity Maddalena – “I’m not racist!” Exploring and challenging implicit biases

Most (all?) of us strive to be fair and equitable in our views and judgments of others. However, we may not be aware of some of the messages we have internalized from a culture that is not always fair or just. Join us as we discuss these internalized biases and how we can challenge them to make our interactions and evaluations more equitable.

Option 2:

Dr. Alicia Johnson & Dr. Angela Subulwa – Global effects of Covid on Women

How has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted women globally? Join us to explore this question! The presenters will use AAUW strategic priorities to frame the discussion.

Option 3: 

Erika Sanders (Madison Fair Housing Council)  – Disabilities and Housing Discrimination

Unfortunately, discrimination against people with disabilities is commonplace in the housing market. This presentation will describe the fair housing rights of people with disabilities and specific ways in which discrimination happens in the present day. We will explore the topics of reasonable accommodations and modifications for housing consumers with disabilities, and how we may work together to create equal housing opportunities for all.

Option 4: 

Amiee J. Leavy – What Allyship Looks Like for Your Organization

Are you committed to building and sustaining relationships based on trust and accountability?  Are you willing to learn and unlearn and change your practices when needed? Do your actions align with your public and private conversations? Are you okay with being called-out or called-in by those around you and process their critiques with an open mind? Are you willing to engage in difficult conversations? If you answered yes, to some or all of these questions, do you understand how this work can benefit you and others? This breakout session will explore what allyship looks like and how to be intentional about making your organizations welcoming to people who don’t look like you.  

3:00 – 3:20 pm

Closing – Dr. Susan McFadden

Moving Forward with Memory and Hope

3:20 – 3:25 pm

Thank you and shout out for 2023 convention.