AAUW Announces Book Events To Benefit Anne Arundel County Women

The Anne Arundel County chapter of the American Association of University Women has announced the dates and locations of its upcoming book events, a donation and sale, that help fund college scholarships for women in the county.

Scholarships from the proceeds of the book sales are awarded annually to Anne Arundel County women who are starting their higher education journey or have graduated from Anne Arundel Community College and are continuing studies at four-year schools.

According to the organization’s website, approximately 85 percent of the money raised at the book sale is awarded to women who apply for and are chosen to receive one of the scholarships. AAUW has awarded 11 scholarships this year alone.

The mission of the AAUW is to empower women through education and career development. In the case of a 2017 recipient of one of the scholarships, mission accomplished.

Arnold resident Stevie Fruehling was juggling the balance of being a single mom, going to school and working part-time jobs. That’s when somebody at her college alerted her to the opportunities that were available through AAUW. She subsequently applied, was interviewed and awarded a scholarship.

“It really came at a pivotal point,” Fruehling said.

Since graduating from Anne Arundel Community College, Fruehling has completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology and earned a Master of Social Work degree.

Fruehling credits AAUW for giving her the means and motivation to keep pursuing her education and career goals.

“They inspired me to continue and believe in myself,” said Fruehling, who was recently promoted to program director at the Annapolis-based Samaritan House.

In addition to her work in Annapolis helping men suffering from substance abuse and mental issues at the inpatient residential treatment center, Fruehling also teaches health sciences at Anne Arundel County Community College. She’s not ready to rest on her laurels just yet, though, as Fruehling is hoping to open a sister component of Samaritan House with a program in Anne Arundel County focused on women.

She credits not just the monetary aspect of scholarships that AAUW provides to empower women, but she also highlights the mentorship and advice from AAUW that continues indefinitely.

“I’ll shout from the mountaintop that their organization is wonderful,” Fruehling said.

Donations of used books in good shape can be brought to the parking lots of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church in Severna Park, the Anne Arundel County Community College parking lot in Arnold across from the Y in Central Maryland, and the Annapolis-based St. Philip’s Episcopal Church from 9:00am to noon on October 15.

The used book sale will be held November 3-6 at Park Plaza, 560-F Ritchie Highway. Thursday’s sale will be open from 8:00am to 10:00am for presale and dealers with the community sale open from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Friday and Saturday hours are scheduled from 9:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Additional information about AAUW and its programs can be found at annearundelcounty-md.aauw.net.