Lynchburg Branch
In the Southwest District
Lynchburg Affiliate Executive Board 2025 -2026
Anitra Webster, President
Bonnie Benedict, Membership Vice-President
Paula Lichiello, Program Vice President/DEI Rep.
Martha Wilson, Secretary
Carol Hannah, Treasurer
To contact an officer or for general information, send an inquiry to LYNAAUW@gmail.com and it will be forwarded to the appropriate recipient.
ABOUT US
Our affiliate has a rich history dating back to 1921 when Dr. Gillie A. Larew (1882-1977) served as the first president of our branch. She was a mathematician and an alumna, professor, and dean of Randolph-Macon’s Woman’s College. Another early member, Dr. Meta Glass (1880-1967), served as the third president of Sweet Briar College in addition to two terms as president of the national American Association of University Women (1933–1937). Dr. Glass is remembered for her extensive travel and speeches regarding liberal arts and issues that affected women and women’s employment.
Today, we continue the mission of the women who came before us as AAUW promotes equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.
In addition, our Lynchburg Affiliate Goal is to encourage education and equity for women and girls in every stage of life by providing opportunities for learning through programs and action groups, by raising money for local scholarships and AAUW Funds, and by learning and working with persons whose values and interests include seeking opportunity and justice for all.
Known as the City of Seven Hills or the Hill City, Lynchburg is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River. We have approximately 35 members who are in various stages of life and bring their expertise and energy to our yearly agenda. Our programs/meetings, book discussions, special interest groups, and convivial gatherings are held September through May of each year at designated locations.
For more information regarding membership and/or to attend a meeting, please email us at LYNAAUW@gmail.com .
2025-26 PROGRAM CALENDAR
September 6, 2025
Voter Education with UpVote Virginia
Liz White, Executive Director
Hume Room, 3rd Floor, Westminster Canterbury
501 VES Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503
Luncheon, Program, and Business Meeting
12:00 p.m.
November 1, 2025
Amherst County Museum History and Tour
Octavia Starbuck, Director
154 S Main St, Amherst, VA 24521
1:30 p.m.
January 10, 2026
An Afternoon with Marshmallow Delight
Bonnie Benedict, AAUW Member
Peakland Baptist Church
4018 Peakland Place
Lynchburg, VA 24503
1:30 p.m.
March 7, 2026
Lynchburg Public Library
Beverly Blair, Director
Acorn Hill Lodge
2134 Old Forest Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501
Breakfast and Business Meeting
9:30 a.m.
May 2, 2026
Women Helping Women
Speaker TBD
Recognition of Scholarship Winners
Oakwood Country Club, Solarium
3400 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503
Program, Luncheon, and Business Meeting
12:00 p.m.
AAUW BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP 2025-2026
Meetings are held in the Fauber Room at Westminster Canterbury at 1:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month listed.
September – It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis
October – The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
November – How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith
by Mariann Edgar Budde
January – The Light Eaters by Zoe Schlanger
March – Becoming Madame Secretary by Stephanie Dray
May – Middletide: A Novel by Sarah Crouch
CONVIVIAL GATHERINGS
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Lunch at Crown’s Ember
2160 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 2026
Afternoon Beverages at Truss Restaurant
2204 Bedford Avenue
3:00 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE: AAUW – VA Conference 2026, Glenn Allen, April 18. The theme is “On the Front Lines: Defending Education and Equity for Women and Girls.” Details will be forthcoming.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
This year’s two scholarship winners were recognized by Treasurer Carol Hannah, during our May luncheon program. We are excited to support these women as they pursue their educational goals.
Amherst County High School student Aliyah Blair is the first recipient of the Norma Jean Rist Scholarship Award, and she plans to attend Virginia Tech this fall. This scholarship fund was established by Norma Jean’s family in her memory and provides a $3,000 scholarship to the recipient.
The second scholarship recipient is E.C. Glass High School student Katie Martin. Katie received a $3,000 scholarship from the Lynchburg AAUW affiliate and plans to attend Virginia Wesleyan this fall.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTION
The Lynchburg Affiliate donated a $250 Staples gift card to The Free Clinic of Central VA in February 2025. These funds will support the needs of the clinic as they restore their building and replace items that were destroyed by a fire in December 2024.
Pictured from Left to right: Paula Lichiello, Program VP, Lynchburg AAUW Affiliate; Marie Ferguson, Dental Director, Free Clinic of Central VA; Sante Horris, Patient Referrals, Free Clinic of Central VA; Janae Lewis-Brown, Dental Assistant, Free Clinic of Central VA; Aliyah Horsley, Dental Assistant, Free Clinic of Central VA; Lori Banks, Executive Director of Operations, Free Clinic of Central VA; and Anitra Webster, President, Lynchburg AAUW Affiliate.
Join our local AAUW Affiliate and Build a Better Tomorrow for All Women
What does The American Association of University Women (AAUW) do?
*Promotes equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.
*Awards funds to women scholars to pursue their educational goals.
*Advocates on Capitol Hill for issues that matter to women.
Who belongs to AAUW?
*Graduates with a two or four-year college degree or higher.
*Undergraduates who are pursuing a degree.
*Interesting, diverse, and passionate people.
*Those who are employed, not employed, students, and retirees.
Why join AAUW?
*To engage in our learning opportunities through programs and interest/action groups.
*To participate in fundraisers for local scholarships and AAUW funds.
*To form social groups for networking, career connections, camaraderie, interests, and fun.
Come and explore the possibilities at our AAUW Lynchburg Affiliate!
*For more information, contact the Membership VP at LYNAAUW@gmail.com.
*Our programs and events are held September through May of each year.
*Opportunities for involvement at the local, state and national levels.
* All are welcome, so please join us. We’d love to meet you!
“Together, we can make a difference in the lives of women and girls.”