The Elyria Branch has a number of active interest groups. Some are involved in community service and others are focused on socializing and networking. Some groups are meeting with social distancing and masks. Please contact us for more information.
Book Discussion – Meets once a month to discuss interesting and provocative books, both modern and classic, that are selected annually by a committee.
Bridge – Meets once a month in members’ homes.
College Liaison – Promotes stronger ties with our local Lorain County Community College to build on cooperative efforts to provide opportunities for girls and women especially in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Community Interest – The group currently collects items for the YWCA Women’s Campus Project which offers housing, counseling, education and help finding employment for homeless women in our community. They also make chemo caps for the “Warm Hands, Warm Hearts” program at University Hospitals in Elyria. This year the group plans to make small comforters and lap robes. They also collect Christmas toys for the Not-Forgotten-Box.
Cultural Interest – The group attends cultural events in Lorain County and the Cleveland area.
Garden Club – The group meets monthly at members’ homes to discuss gardening issues and share ideas.
Gourmet (Out to lunch) – Cancelled until later. Anyone can join the group for lunch at area restaurants.
Great Decisions – This group meets eight times a year and works from a study guide to discuss and debate global issues. This year’s schedule includes The United Nations, Climate Geopolitics and Cuba and the U.S.
Knit Wits- We make chemo caps for area cancer centers. We supply comforters, pillowcases, scarves and hats for Blessing House, and we knit scarves and hats for University Hospital Elyria’s Warm Hands, Warm Hearts program. We accept donations of yarn and material.
Legal Advocacy Fund – The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) provides funding and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education. Since 1981, LAF has provided over $600,000 to help students, faculty and administrators challenge discriminatory practices involving harassment, denial of tenure or promotions, and aid for women’s athletic programs. The Elyria Branch conducts an annual book sale to raise money for the fund.
Severance Concerts- We will be attending the Friday morning concerts at Severance Center this year. The concerts begin at 11:00 am but we are treated to coffee, tea, and muffins at 9:45 and a great lecture explaining about the music and the composers.
Women’s History Study Group – The group meets periodically to research and study the role that women have played in history. Every other year, the group presents its findings on a select group of women to the branch and sometimes to other organizations in our area.