The February meeting of the Bradford Branch of AAUW was held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.  Co-president Sharie Radzavich opened the meeting and thanked the hospitality committee of Becky Danias, Flora Cohen and Ann Cavallero.  Dr. Anita J. Herbert, chairperson of the scholarship committee, announced that the AAUW scholarship application has been updated and is available. Susan Hughes, chairperson of membership, discussed some ideas to encourage women in the community to join AAUW. February’s  program, “Hopes, Dreams, Challenges – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” featured a panel discussion of two undergraduate Pitt-Bradford students – Amanda Kelps, a senior public relations major from Bradford and Danielle Erdley, a junior biology major from North Cumberland.  Dr. Holly J. Spittler, associate dean of student affairs served as the moderator. The student panelists shared their thoughts and insights on the role of girls and women in education, and discussed how their personal growth was shaped by the messages and support they received from important women and men in their lives.  AAUW members, many of whom attended college years ago, shared their experiences and memories related to education, family and work. Panelists andAAUW members agreed that girls and women today have much more freedom to pursue careers and opportunities based on their interests and skills, rather than on societal expectations.

Submitted by Holly Spittler