AAUW Crystal Lake Branch partners with Bookfriends International

The American Association of University Women-Crystal Lake Branch and Bookfriends International formed a special relationship a little more than 5 years ago.

What started out as an AAUW Program by Paulie Kutschat from Bookfriends, gradually evolved into partnership with the AAUW Branch on a special project.

Bookfriends International, headquartered in Wauconda, began in 2005 and is committed to helping educate students in secondary schools in African countries by providing books and supporting educational materials and services.

The Girls Project (developed by Bookfriends) provides hygiene kits for the teenaged female students in various African countries.

Bookfriends learned that the girls in the schools were sent home when they had their monthly cycle because there were no available sanitary supplies.

After the primary years of education, a girl may face additional challenges including cultural questions of the value of educating girls and missing a week of class time each month.

In October 2017, Barb Pagano and Carol Heisler, longtime AAUW members, organized the first sewing workshop with AAUW Branch members and friends.

First gathering in members' homes, the group eventually moved to Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake.

Through monthly in-person meetings and a dedicated group working from home, this team has produced over 9,000 reusable pads, made hundreds of pouches for the sanitary kits, and donated hundreds of pairs of underwear.

AAUW's mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.

The Crystal Lake Branch, organized in 1957, holds monthly membership meetings from September through May, which include programs on topics such as women's issues, history, education, international relations, arts, and public policy. Membership includes women from throughout McHenry County.

Visit crystallake-il.aauw.net orfacebook.com/AAUWCrystalLake/.