AAWCC offers varied events and programs throughout CCBC

At CCBC Catonsville, it’s the Annual Women’s Expo and student scholarships. At CCBC Dundalk, it’s Tea at Three in the Student Lounge with presentations by people like Chesapeake Bay pilot Captain Elizabeth Christman. It’s daytrips and fundraising at CCBC Essex with the first trip this semester slated for Longwood Gardens in December, as well as a holiday poinsettia scholarship fundraiser in the making.

The differences in American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) activities at each CCBC campus positively reflect the differences in the campuses themselves. In order to appeal to a broad audience – faculty, staff, students and men – each campus AAWCC chapter tailors programs to its specific campus community.

The CCBC Catonsville AAWCC chapter recently sponsored a one-woman show by Judy Snyder, director of Institutional Equity and Organizational Development, which showcased the history of AAWCC. The chapter also sponsors student scholarships in three separate areas – Allied Health and Wellness, Project Second Start and Students with Disabilities – and is currently seeking student applicants for these scholarships. Charolene Oliver, CCBC Catonsville director of Human Relations, is chapter president and Sue Fowler, chief of General Services, Kathy Arnold, enrollment reporting specialist, and Nancy Meyer, secretary in Science and Math division, join consultant Patsy Anderson, coordinator of the Women’s Expo, on the AAWCC Executive Committee at CCBC Catonsville.

English professor Bernadette Low, president of the CCBC Dundalk AAWCC chapter, credits the popularity of afternoon Tea at Three events to good speakers and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Chesapeake Bay pilot Captain Elizabeth Christman attracted a full house for her October program. One of only two women out of 59 active pilots in the Association of Maryland Pilots (“Safely Guiding Ships on the Chesapeake Bay Since 1852”), Christman graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College in the Bronx and completed her master’s in Transportation Management there. She reached the rank of captain in only nine years and then worked five more (two years as an apprentice and three years as a junior pilot) to earn her license as a pilot. Not only did she share information about the requirements of her work, she recounted wonderful stories of her experiences as a Chesapeake Bay pilot.

Judy Woke, secretary to the director of Application Development, is the newly elected president of the AAWCC chapter on the Essex campus. The CCBC Essex chapter will visit Longwood Gardens Dec. 5 for its Yuletide Buffet and festive evening light show. Barbara Tower, director of the CCBC School of Health Professions Evening/Weekend Nursing program, serves on the National AAWCC Board.

All three CCBC campuses have active AAWCC chapters. AAWCC programs and events are open to members from any campus.