Women’s History Tea 2013: Another Great Success!
Article by Janice Longo, Pictures by Judy Huff
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There’s hustle and bustle in the kitchen as the team sets up plates for 120 guests.
Over 120 people were in attendance at the Tea, with reservations sold out two weeks in advance. Committee members used bunting, flags, and table decorations in red, white, and blue to celebrate the theme honoring women on the home front and their contributions during World War II.
Sandy Cashmark portrayed Dorothy Thompson, one of the most influential journalists in America in the 1930’s. In this sketch written by Sandy, member Mary Ann Mackey, as the narrator, reveals how Dorothy Thompson’s career as a reporter made her the second most influential woman in America after Eleanor Roosevelt.
The second portion of our program highlighted the impact and contributions of women workers in war plants building ships and airplanes. Through a Reader’s Theater presentation written and narrated by Shirley Gilbert and directed by Sandy Cashmark, we learned how women working in traditional men’s jobs permanently changed the perception of women in the workforce. Their stories were enacted by Mary Horne, Deidre Finnegan and Bernadette Galleguillos. We were honored to have as guests women who worked at the Richmond shipyard, actual “Rosies”. Members Linda Pearson and Judy Huff also brought guests who were “Rosies” too!
Liz Poe, co-chair of the Women’s History Tea, presents Rosie from Richmond, Priscilla Elder, with a cake for her 93rd birthday.
Our hard-working members assisted in the success of this event by making tasty tea sandwiches, hostessing tables, and serving tea. The combined efforts of all involved deserve high praise and gratitude for another excellent program. Proceeds from this event will enable AAUW to fund a scholarship for an Ohlone or Cal State East Bay coed to continue her pursuit of a degree in the arts.
The last table cloth has been ironed and put away, but we are already making plans for our tea for 2014. We hope to see you there!
There are more pictures in the WOMEN’S HISTORY TEA ALBUM