Branch Holiday Luncheon
December 8, 2018

Our members are interested in hearing about the work of other community groups with programs for women and girls. For 30-plus years the Vienna Area Branch has supported Artemis House, a program of Shelter House, Inc.

Our speaker at the luncheon will be Joe Meyer, Executive Director and CEO of Shelter House. Since its inception in 1981 this organization has successfully managed full operation of three major shelters in Fairfax County. It has transitioned from managing homeless issues to gathering the support of our community and establishing strategies to end homelessness.

Artemis House is the only Fairfax County emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. At the luncheon, we receive donations to Artemis House of store gift cards and personal care items. These are given to Artemis House families at the Artemis House holiday celebrations.

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Support Ratification
of the
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

With Illinois’ ratification of the ERA on May 30, 2018, only one more state is necessary to pass this Constitutional amendment. Virginia should be that 38th state!

AAUW of Virginia believes the climate in Richmond is better than it has ever been to make this happen and is coordinating its efforts to support those of VA Ratify ERA and of Virginia ERA Network.

In addition, read this booklet from AAUW of VA that describes the history of the ERA and the steps you can take to support the effort. The booklet also includes inspiring quotes such as the following:

“If I could choose an amendment to add to the Constitution, it would be the Equal Rights Amendment. I think we have achieved that through legislation, but legislation can be repealed, it can be altered. So I would like my granddaughters, when they pick up the Constitution, to see that notion – that women and men are persons of equal stature. I’d like them to see that is a basic principle of our society.”

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
April 17, 2014, National Press Club