Branch Programs 2025-2026

All programs begin at 7:00 pm at Elmhurst Public Library, unless otherwise noted.

Guests are always welcome at all our programs.

September 3, 6 pm
September Supper
Wilder Mansion, 211 S. Prospect Ave, Elmhurst

It is time to reconnect after our summer break!
Enjoy conversations with old and new members in this gem of a venue in Elmhurst. You are welcome to invite guests who are not currently AAUW members. It’s an easy way for them to meet us and enjoy our company in a relaxed atmosphere. We’ll hear about our program line up for the coming year at the end of the evening.

We are asking members to bring either an appetizer, salad, or dessert to the dinner. Call (630-674-1426) or email (cheiney@att.net) Carolyn Heiney and let her know your preference, no later than August 27th.

A fee of $15 per member will cover paper supplies, beverages, ice and other necessities. Guests are free, just let Carolyn know that you will bring a guest, when you sign up for your food choice.

October 1
Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Melissa Villanueva, a remarkable woman of Elmhurst, will talk to us about establishing Brewpoint Coffee, a company renowned for its commitment to community, inclusivity, and sustainable growth. She is a successful businesswoman who gives back to her community and is a dedicated mentor. She serves as a member of the Elmhurst Community Development Commission and is an Entrepreneur in Residence with Innovation DuPage.

November 5
Child Protection and Juvenile Justice in DuPage County

Judge Chantelle Porter, 18th Judicial Circuit Court, handles all matters of child protection and juvenile justice. She is the first African-American female judge in DuPage County. She is a powerful advocate for families and children throughout Illinois. Beyond the courtroom, she mentors young attorneys, contributes to legal education initiatives, and advocates for reform in the juvenile justice system. Judge Porter grew up in Hanover Park, IL, and will share her – 15 – experiences as an African American woman growing up in a white community as well as her experiences with our troubled youth.

December 10 (yes, it’s the 2nd Wednesday)
Annual Holiday Party
Marcia Goltermann’s Home, 295 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst

Join together to celebrate the holidays at the lovely home of Marcia Goltermann. Members with last names A-L will bring desserts; members M-Z bring appetizers. A $10 fee collected that evening covers beverages and incidentals.

January 7
Annual All Branch Read: Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams

This year’s book discussion features an expose of Facebook/Sheryl Sandburg/Mark Zuckerberg and the conflicting demands on women in the corporate world. You may question some of the author’s actions and decisions to stay with Facebook as long as she did, but we think it will make for a robust discussion since we read Lean In several years ago, and this is a very different perspective!

February 4
Women’s Art History Program: Women of Renaissance Art

Who can name the great women artists in Renaissance Italy and France? The great women writers? Who were the women patrons who commissioned the works? This presentation will uncover brilliant women whose accomplishments have been erased, minimized, and obscured by history. We will explore who these women were and their contributions. Kristen Beirne, the President of the Downers Grove AAUW Branch, is an art historian who teaches at COD and is the recipient of a national AAUW fellowship. She is a dynamic presenter and will keep us all intrigued with her stories.

March 4
Women’s History Month: The Founding Mothers

2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Library is planning a series of programs about US history, starting in February, leading up to July 4th. We are collaborating with the Library to jointly sponsor this program helping us discover the key roles that women played . “The Founding Mothers” is an illustrated lecture by Laura F. Keyes that highlights the important role women played in the founding of our country. Learn about soldiers, writers, printers, scholars, farmers, and spies: all women and all vital to our nation’s history. The brand-new presentation is open to the public and requires registration with the Library.

April 1
Challenges in Higher Education

AAUW’s top strategic priority for this year is Funding Higher Education. Both national and our local chapter provide scholarships to women pursuing higher education degrees. However, there are many issues about government support for higher education as well as changes to the student loan programs that are key to providing opportunities to a wide range of students. This program is under development, but we will identify presenters who can talk to us about the challenges in this new environment for the institutions, the faculty, and the students.

May 2, 12 noon
Spring Luncheon
River Forest Country Club 15W468 Grand Ave, Elmhurst

Join us for a lovely spring luncheon in a beautiful setting with delicious food. There will be a brief program to wrap up another successful year.