Invitation To Equal Pay Day 'Un-Happy Hour'

Huntley Area Branch AAUW invites the public to attend an Equal Pay Day "Un-Happy Hour" Mixer from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. this afternoon-evening.

The location is Niko's Grill & Pub Restaurant, 11900 Route 47, Huntley. This is located near the Prime Outlets Mall on Freeman Road, north of the Interstate 90/Jane Addams Tollway intersection.

An interesting fact—today, in the 21^st century--- women still have to work more than three months longer to match men's earnings in a given year. This is from a Bureau of Labor Statistics which stated that, on average, women earn less than 80% of men's earnings, compared to 73% two decades ago. Reaching equality is progressing at, what might be termed, a snail's pace.

This is an opportunity to meet new people, learn more about the pay equity issue, the Wal-Mart gender-bias class action lawsuit, and AAUW activities in the local area.

Equal Pay Day is set each April on the date when, it is estimated, working women reach pay equity with men.

Bring your co-workers, friends, spouses, everyone you know . . . drop by for little while and have a great time! There will be information to hand out on pay equity issues, and maybe a special guest, too.  No RSVP required, and you need not be an AAUW member to attend.  All interested persons and media representatives are welcome. 

Each person may order her/his own drinks and food from the pub menu.

A requested door donation of $1 for men or 80¢ for women will support programs of the local AAUW Huntley Area Branch.

"Crafty Women" Invited For 'Show and Tell' Tomorrow

Members of the AAUW Huntley Area Branch are inviting “Crafty Women” from the local area to join them for a “show-and-tell” program on Saturday, May 15 at the Pinecrest Golf Club Restaurant, 11220 Algonquin Road in Huntley.

Each month, local AAUW members host a breakfast and program highlighting the accomplishments of women. This month’s event will feature handmade crafts, quilts, and other traditional handiwork created by talented women who are not professional artists.

Among the unique pieces to be displayed are a 120-year-old antique velvet “crazy quilt” made by the great-grandmother of a Huntley branch member, and a “Huntley Redskins” memorabilia quilt designed from vintage team shirts by Mary Ellen Moerke, a retired District 158 teacher and member of the Huntley-based Gazebo Quilters Guild.

All area quilters, crafters, and handiwork artists are invited to bring their creations to show and, if they choose, to talk about their craft. Collectors of traditional crafts are also invited to show their favorite pieces and share their history with others. All items brought to show will be displayed on protected tables in a clean, safe area away from food or drinks, to prevent any spillage or damage. Items will not be handled without the owner’s permission.

The branch meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. with breakfast and conversation. Attendees will order and pay for their own meal from the restaurant’s menu.

The “Crafty Women” program will start at 10:15 a.m. with a short viewing period followed by an informal “show-and-tell” chat. The program is free to all AAUW members and to participating crafters and collectors. A $5 program donation is requested from members of the public who wish to attend.

AAUW (formerly the American Association of University Women) is a nationwide organization of college-educated women and men that works to advance equity, education, and opportunities for women and girls. Local branch members meet monthly for networking, interesting programs, and community service projects. To learn more, visit www.aauw.org. For information about local branch activities, phone Diane Ayers, communications officer, at (847) 669-0848 or e-mail to: huntleyaauw@gmail.com.