Special Interest Groups are a hallmark of the AAUW experience, and a unique opportunity for members to learn, share, and grow. These member-driven, member-facilitated groups meet regularly to gain insight into their topics, expand their horizons, and their friendships. Guests are welcome to participate in SIGs for up to 3 sessions. After 3 sessions, they are expected to join AAUW.
1st Thursday Book Group
Book Group meetings are normally held on the first Thursday of each month (September thru May) at 1:30 PM. An additional meeting is held in June to finalize selection of books for the next year. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the October and January meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 2 PM after the monthly Hendersonville program meeting. Be sure to double-check the scheduled dates below.
The meeting location is at the Church of Christ Annex at 1975 Haywood Road (across from Pi-Squared Pizza).
Encourage other AAUW Hendersonville members and guests to participate. Participants do not need to join the discussions every month. Contact Mary Ann Bents (mabents@verizon.net), 667-967-0147
Special Book Author Event – Tuesday, September 9 from 1:30 – 3 PM 
The 10th book selected, The Truest Pleasure, will be the focus of a special event with the author, Robert Morgan, on September 9 at 1:30 PM. Please reserve this date and plan to attend this event and request a seat reservation.
Where
* First Congregational Church of Hendersonville, Fellowship Hall
* 1735 5th Ave W, Hendersonville, NC
Everyone is Encouraged to:
* Come meet our guest author, Robert Morgan; event is open to the public so bring a friend
* Read “The Truest Pleasure” book in advance so that we can discuss the characters and storyline with the author and each other.
Request a Reservation – Deadline September 5, 2025
* Send an email to mabents@verizon.net
* Identify contact name and number of seats desired
Author, Robert Morgan, Biographical Tidbits
* Born in Hendersonville, North Carolina, October 3, 1944.
* He attended the University of North Carolina at both Chapel Hill and Greensboro.
* Kappa Alpha Professor of English Emeritus: Taught at Cornell University since 1971, where he is Kappa Alpha Professor of English. At Cornell he has taught courses in American literature, modern poetry, autobiography, as well as poetry and fiction writing.
* Author of fifteen books of poetry, most recently Terroir and Dark Energy. He has also published nine volumes of fiction, including Gap Creek, a New York Times bestseller. A sequel to Gap Creek, The Road From Gap Creek, was published in 2013. A new novel, Chasing the North Star, was published in 2015. In addition he is the author of three nonfiction books, Good Measure: Essays, Interviews, and Notes on Poetry; Boone: A Biography; and Lions of the West: Heroes and Villains of the Westward Expansion, 2011.
Explorers of the Arts
Long a source of enjoyment for members, this group explores the art scene throughout the area by visiting different artist’s studios for talks and demonstrations, and guided tours of various art galleries, museums and special exhibitions. For more information on upcoming plans, contact the Arts SIG lead. The lead position is currently open. New participants are welcome.
The planned visits for the 2025-26 year is as follows:
- September 18, 2025 Asheville Art Museum – Asheville
- November 20, 2025 The Glass Dragon Studio – Hendersonville
- February 19, 2026 Studio 116 Gallery – East Flat Rock
- April 16, 2026 Amanda McLenon Art Studio – Asheville
Reminders and more information about each trip/outing will be sent by email closer to the time of each trip/outing (Watch the branch newsletter for updates.)
Public Policy
This group focuses on Public Policy and AAUW community programs like Work Smart, Start Smart, and STEMEd. With so many of our rights being threatened at this time, this group will help us advocate for our mission and our vision of equity for all. Dates, times and meeting places vary. For more information, contact the Public Policy lead. This lead position is currently open.
Community Outreach
We reach out to the community as part of our mission. Some of our community partners are Project Dignity, the Felicia Reeves Home for Female Veterans, and the League of Women Voters. We welcome opportunities to serve our community.
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- Project Dignity Volunteering: Third Thursday, 9am, May to December, 2025. Any question, please contact Princess Ferguson (text 828-301-8695). Thanks to everyone who volunteered in 2024!
Mah Jongg SIG – 2nd & 4th Tuesday
A group of us are hosted by Cecile Masters-Webb at Carolina Village for International Mah Jongg. Princess Ferguson is guiding the group in learning the International Game which doesn’t require a card. We welcome anyone who would like to learn or relearn this enjoyable game. Inquire via the Contact Us webpage on this website.
New SIGs can be formed by three AAUW Members. Do you have a passion you would like to share?
Join AAUW and the Hendersonville Branch