AAUW Atlanta Branch Members are invited to a unique private meeting with representatives  two organizations, Street Grace and Cool Girls,  which are working to help victims of sex trafficking.  They are also involved in efforts to get legislation introduced that will stop this criminal activity.   It is staggering to learning that 7,200 men in Georgia buy sex from kids every month.

The meeting will be held at North Avenue Presbyterian Church, 607 Peachtree Street, Atlanta  (30308- 2226) from 10 am to noon.  Speakers from both organizations will describe their efforts to help victims of sexual exploitation.  They will also focus on opportunities for Branch members to become involved in volunteer activities such as mentoring.   There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.  Light refreshments will be served.

Your attendance will help the team working on the issue of sex trafficking as a potential Branch  signature project gather information, particularly what our Branch could do this to a make a real difference for these victims.   Please come and learn more about how our Branch could help combat sexual exploitation of children in the city of Atlanta.

DIRECTIONS:  North Avenue Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of North Avenue and Peachtree Street.  Enter the parking ramp from Courtland Street or North Avenue.  Park and then walk up the ramp and take the elevator to the third floor.  Turn right out of the elevator and the meeting room is at the end of the hall on the left.

Please rsvp to hospitality@aauwatlanta.org by January 30.

The topic of human trafficking and sexual exploitation has been one that our Branch is considering as a potential signature project.  To that end, we call you attention to two upcoming television programs.

On Sunday, January 23,  at 8 pm CNN will broadcast a program entitled, Selling the Girl Next Door.

And on Sunday, January 30, the film Stop the Candy Shop will be broadcast on WPBA, Channel 30.  Some of our members attended a special showing of this film last fall, sponsored by the organization Street Grace, and recommended it as an introduction to the subject of sex trafficking and how organizations are working to stop this criminal activity.

Georgia Women for a Change is hosting a Women’s Capitol Briefing on Wednesday, January 26 from 8 to 9:30 am.  The meeting will be held at Central Presbyterian Church, 201 Washington Street SW, Atlanta.

According to the information from the organization, “the breakfast briefing is an opportunity  to hear from our lobbyist and partners on the latest issues before the  Georgia legislature, what impact they are having on women and girls and what YOU can do to help.”

A complimentary breakfast can be pre-ordered at rsvp@gwomen.org.   More information can be found on the Georgia Women for a Change website, www.gwomen.org or you can email Stephanie at stephanie@gwomen.org.

This is an opportunity for all  Branch members to get involved in shaping the future for women and girls in Georgia.

Registration for the AAUW national convention is now open.  The convention will be held is Washington, DC from June 16-19, 2011.  The convention theme is:  Breaking Through Barriers–Advocating for Change.

Attending a national convention is a great experience, so check your calendars and plan to go.  Best value registration will end January 21.  Visit the AAUW website for more information.

At the December Branch holiday celebration, the AAUW Funds Committee announced the Name Grant Honorees for 2010.  They are: Frances Smith, Terry Eshenour, Stephanie Babbitt, and Blondie Chitunya-Wilson.

Two of the honorees are Branch members, Frances and Blondie, both of whom have worked diligently on Branch projects and have contributed in special ways during this transitional period of examining Branch structure and priorities.

The two non-members, Terry and Stephanie, have contributed much time and effort to improving our Branch communications.  Terry has been invaluable in updating our website and Stephanie has produced our monthly newsletters and other documents, such as the 2011 Branch addendum.

Each honoree has received a special certificate and a pin to recognize their contributions.  We congratulate them and look forward to their continuing efforts on behalf of the AAUW Atlanta Branch!

The AAUW portal on the national site to Barnes and Noble.com is closed. Barnes and Noble no longer offers a discount to AAUW members.

AAUW national has no current affinity programs with booksellers.