The affiliate generally schedules one special meeting per month, autumn through spring.  Here’s what we have for 2025-26 so far.

Thursday, August 27 2025 – 5:30 p.m. –  Welcome Fest

Porter County Community Foundation, 1401 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso

We start off the new AAUW program year with a gathering of members and guests at the Porter County Community Foundation.  A light supper will be provided. The programs for the coming year will be presented.  Members who bring a guest will be entered in a special drawing.

Monday, September 15, 2025  6:00pm      WHAT CAN WOMEN DO NOW?

Porter County Community Foundation, 1401 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso

After a light supper, we will join speaker Lisa Maatz live on Zoom to learn “what can women do now?” as woman’s rights are being challenged both politically and legally. Lisa Maatz served as director of public policy and government relations for AAUW for several years. As the organizer’s top policy advisor, she lobbied on Capitol Hill and in the White House and did similar work for the NOW Legal Department.

Saturday, October 11  10:00am   Field Trip: True North Stables

927 N 150 W, Chesterton

Join us as we tour True North Training Stables. True North is a loving, nurturing environment that provides equestrian therapy to mentor children and their families. This therapy makes use of horses to promote emotional growth. We will learn how they provide a safe environment for at-risk youth and their families to train in life skills and spiritual awareness in an equine setting.

Wednesday, November 12, 3:45 PM   Sister to Sister

Gelsosomo’s  Pizzeria, 2605 Laporte Ave, Valparaiso

This annual event is an opportunity to hear young women’s thoughts about a book that both they and our members have read. Enjoy pizza and a lively discussion with local high school students about The Downstairs Girl by Stacy Lee.

Sunday, December 7   2:00 PM        Madrigal  Dinner Holiday Show

Chesterton High School , 2125 S. 11th St., Chesterton

For the 53rd year, the Chesterton High School cafeteria will be transformed into a 16th century manorial great hall, where a Christmas Madrigal of Old is recreated by a cast of 100 CHS music students dressed in Elizabethan costumes.  The minstrals will sing, play, juggle, amuse, and serve a full course meal. Members are welcome to invite friends and family, but all tickets must be ordered and paid for by October 31.

Thursday, January 15, 10:00 AM      Three Moons  Fiberworks

402 Broadway Ave., Chesterton

Three Moons Fiberworks specializes in all things fiber. Meet owner Rebecca Riley Vargas as she tells us about the history of weaving, demonstrates some of her looms, answers questions about fiber crafts, and explains why she still “having fun”. There will be time for breakfast/lunch at the Third Coast Spice Café following the tour.

Wednesday, February 4, 6:30 PM     Mary Ann Pals, Artist-in-Residence

Valparaiso Creates Center, 256 Indiana Ave., Suite 5, Valparaiso

Members and guest are welcome to join us for a tour of the Valparaiso Create Center and a talk by Mary Ann Paul, an Artist-in-Residense for the Indiana Dunes National Park. She uses pastels and charcoal to create lifelike scenes of the natural beauty of the Dunes.

Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 PM     Title IX and Women’s Sports

Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso

In recognition of Women’s History Month, AAUW and the Valparaiso Public Library will collaborate to host Valparaiso University professor Kelly Ballinger for a presentation on the history and challenges of Title IX entitled “Women’s Sports: It Wasn’t Magic and We’re Still Reaching to Level the Playing Field.” Representatives from Girls on the Run and Valparaiso University’s women’s sports programs will also discuss the lasting impact of athletics on women across all age groups.

Monday, April 6   Hilltop Mission Kitchen

Hilltop Mission Kitchen , 606 Union St. Valparaiso

Hilltop Neighborhood House has offered valuable resources for children and families in the community since 1995. The Hilltop Mission Kitchen serves free, hot meals to community members every Monday. On this date, our members were roll up their sleeves to cook, serve, and clean up at this community meal.

Wednesday, May 6,     5:30 PM     Annual Banquet

Porter County Community Foundation, 1401 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso

Come celebrate a successful program year, elect new officers, and honor our Person of the Year   Porter County Community Foundation president and CEO, Bill Higbie, will explain the Foundation’s funding and endowment program, and members of our branch will highlight how our fundraising has changed since partnering with the Foundation.  

Wednesday, June 10,  Carpool at 9:00 AM    Lunch and Garden Visit

Wellfield Botanical Gardens, 1011 North Main St., Elkhart, IN

Members and guests will enjoy lunch (location to be announced), followed by a stroll through the Wellfield Botanical Gardens. The half mile Promenade paved trail offers a view of lovely flora and fauna along with themed garden spaces. This 36 acre garden is also a working source of hydropower and drinking water for the city of Elkhart.

Tuesday, July 21,  Carpool at 9:00 AM     Raclin Murphy Museum of Art,

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, Saint Andre Way, Notre Dame, Indiana

Join us to visit the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art on the Notre Dame campus in South Bend. We will meet our docent for a “highlights tour” of this delightful space. Exhibits range from early American crafts to 1900’s American art to religious art, and there will be time for you to explore on your own. Lunch and a possible walking tour of Notre Dame will follow depending on weather and group interest.