Event Details
These are exceptionally challenging times for AAUW Public Policy, both nationally and statewide. Our speakers, Ms. Karen Kortsch and Dr. Ken Olson,AAUW-IL Public Policy Co-Directors, will update us on the AAUW (American Association of University Women) 2026 initiatives for Public Policy nationally, as well as for Illinois. Along with the updates, these are some of the questions they will be addressing:
- What is Public Policy?
- Are there any upcoming bills that may affect women's access to education and economic security?
- What can our local branches specifically do regarding Public Policy?
Our speakers, AAUW-IL Public Policy Co-Directors Karen Kortsch and Ken Olson, will address these questions and answer any questions that come up during their presentation.
Karen Kortsch is a graduate of the College of DuPage and received her nursing degree in 1989. She specialized in mental health and retired after 30 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs. For several years, she served as president of her local nurses' union, National Nurses United. She has always been an enthusiastic advocate for gender justice/ social justice.
Dr. Ken Olson currently serves on the AAUW IL State Board as Co-Director of Public Policy and on the Schaumburg Area AAUW Board as Policy Director. A native of Wisconsin, he was a professor on the faculty of the Animal Science Department at the University of Kentucky, then the national Dairy and Animal Health Specialist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. He is currently Principal of KEO Consulting, working in dairy and research policy.
Members will be sent an email with the Zoom link a day or two before the event. Non-members can request the Zoom link by sending an email to WGE-AAUW@comcast.net.
More information about the AAUW Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch, its mission, and activities can be found at https://wheatonglenellyn-il.aauw.net