Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

In order to be 100 percent fair, I give you the complete, unedited audio of tonight's Bradford Mayoral and McKean County Sheriff debates: Go to WESB.com/listen , click on the "Local Programs" tab and then scroll to #56 for mayor and #214 for sheriff. (They are in alphabetical order.) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Have you ever wonder why there are so few females in such fields as science, technology, engineering and mathematics? What does that stem from? The American Association of University Women-Bradford Branch is hosting meeting that will tackle that issue. The public is invited to attend a presentation at 10 a.m. Saturday in Room 218 in the Frame-Westerberg Commons at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The program will include two speakers from Pitt-Bradford – Dr. Mary Mulcahy, associate professor of biology and division chairwoman for the biological and health sciences, and Dr. Denise Piechnik, assistant professor of biology. Saturday’s discussion will center on the low number of women in those (STEM) fields with suggestions on how to encourage more girls to take an interest in the sciences. Part of AAUW’s mission is to promote equality for women. “We feel this is an important topic that should be discussed,” said co-presidents Sharie Radzavich and Sandy Rhodes. “We want to t...

The American Association of University Women - Bradford Branch honored Margie Holland of Bradford with the Gateway to Equity Award last week. Holland, a native of Kane, tackled Title IX and brought forth a lawsuit that set a precedent in the state of Pennsylvania for coaches of women sports to be paid the same as coaches in male sports. She also played professional women's baseball in her younger years. Holland taught in the Bradford Area School District for several years as well as coached girls' basketball. Gateway to Equity award to honor individuals, groups or organizations that have shown, by action and philosophy, that they advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy or research. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Candidates for McKean County Sheriff and Bradford City Council participated in a forum Thursday night at the Bradford Area Public Library, sponsored by the American Association of University Women. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford's Dr. Stephen Robar was the moderator. To give you an opportunity to form your own opinions on what they had to say, we are providing you with the audio of the event. Candidates for McKean County Sheriff : Steve Caskey, Brian Gustafson, Brad Mason (pictured) Candidates for Bradford City Council Brad Mangel, Tim Pecora, Fred Proper The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

There still time to submit questions for the Candidate Forum set for Thursday night at the Bradford Area Public Library. The forum, sponsored by the American Association of University Women, is set to start at 7:30 p.m. and will include candidates for McKean County sheriff as well as Bradford City Council. Dr. Steve Robar, political science professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will be the moderator. Questions can be emailed to aauw_bradford@yahoo.com  The sheriff race is a contested race between Republicans Steve Caskey, Brian Gustafson and Brad Mason. Three candidates are running for three seats on Bradford City Council. They are Brad Mangel, Tim Pecora and Fred Proper, all Republicans. The forum is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The primary election is May 21. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The American Association of University Women - Bradford Branch is holding a Candidate Forum for the upcoming Primary Election. This Forum, featuring those running for McKean County sheriff and Bradford City Council, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the community room of the Bradford Area Public Library. Dr. Stephen Robar, associate professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will moderate the forum. There are three Republican candidates running for sheriff – Brad Mason, the current sheriff, Steve Caskey and Brian Gustafson. There are also three candidates running for three seats on city council. They are incumbent Fred Proper, Brad Mangel, who was appointed to fill the unexpired seat of Rick Benton and newcomer Tim Pecora, all Republicans. “Our group is excited to be able to bring this forum to the voters of McKean County,” said Sandy Rhodes, co-president of AAUW. “We are hopeful that this will give voters the information they...

The American Association of University Women – Bradford branch elected officers during its annual spring meeting. From left are co-president Sandra Rhodes; program co-vice president Nancy Dryden; treasurer Terri Leven; assistant treasurer Diane Gardner; co-president Sharie Radzavich; and outgoing co-president Marlene Walb. Other officers are program co-vice president Stacey Fussell; secretary Pam Morrison and outgoing co-president Stephanie Seagren. The officers and executive committee of the AAUW – Bradford Branch held a dinner meeting at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to set goals and make plans for upcoming programs and events. The American Association of University Women (AAUW), founded in 1881, is the nation's leading organization advocating equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. The Bradford Branch of AAUW was founded in 1921. AAUW photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By SANDRA RHODES The year was 1921. Warren G. Harding was president. The first Miss America was crowned. Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics. It was also the year a group of 17 women formed the Bradford Chapter of American Association of University Women. Fast-forward 90 years to 2011. The chapter is still alive and well, and celebrated its 90th anniversary at a brunch Saturday morning at The Option House. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. This is a mission that has remained constant for the group while activities and faces have changed throughout the years. Suzanne Kerlin of State College, a member of the Pennsylvania State Board for AAUW, was the guest speaker. Kerlin spoke about how times have changed for women in the 129 years of AAUW on a national level and 90 years for AAUW locally. “You are one of the older branches in the nation,” she said. “It’s wonderful. You should be proud. Some (branches) a...

The Bradford Branch of the American Association of University Women has announced its elected officers for 2010. From left to right: Terri Smith Leven, Treasurer; Sandra Rhodes, Program Co-chair; Marlene Walb, Co-President; Stephanie Seagren, Co-President; Sharie Radzavich, Program Co-Chair; and Pam Morrison, Secretary. Since 1881, AAUW has worked to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. The Bradford Branch of AAUW was established in 1921. Photo courtesy of Holly Spittler

The Bradford Branch of the American Association of University Women named Patricia Neidich as its Outstanding Woman of the Year for 2010 in recognition of her contributions to the organization and the Bradford community during its annual banquet on May 6 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Neidich is a graduate of Mansfield University and has taught elementary school in the Bradford Area School District for over thirty years. Neidich is a longtime member of AAUW, and has served as co-president and corresponding secretary of the branch chapter. An active volunteer in the community, she has volunteered for the American Cancer Relay for Life and Bradford Landmark Society. She and her husband Ross have raised three children: Michael, Lindsay and Katie Jo. Pictured, Stephanie Seagren (holding certificate), incoming co-president, and Neidich Photo courtesy of AAUW

The Bradford Branch of the American Association of University Women has endowed a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The $6,000 gift made by the group has been matched by the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge. The scholarship will be awarded to a local student who reflects the values and mission promoted by the Bradford Branch of the AAUW. First preference is given to a Bradford Area High School student, then to a student attending a high school in McKean County. The idea for the scholarship developed when AAUW treasurer Terri Smith Leven researched endowed scholarships as a possible investment to provide educational scholarships to talented individuals. She presented her findings to 2008 co-presidents Dr. Holly Spittler, associate dean of student affairs at Pitt-Bradford, and Flora Cohen. Members then voted to create an endowed AAUW-Bradford Branch Scholarship at Pitt-Bradford. “A special relationship exists between the University of Pittsbur...