AAUW
Advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, research and philanthropy.
Written By Robin Shepherd
H
ere in America, women and girls
enjoy freedoms and opportuni-
ties that don’t exist for females
in many other countries. But we didn’t get
where we are today by luck or accident.
Generations of women blazed a trail for
us to follow.
Throughout American history, women
have joined influential organizations such
as the American Association for University
Women (AAUW). Working together they
won the right to vote, the right to pursue
an education and career path of their own
choosing, and the right to equal pay.
The origins of AAUW date back to
1881 when 17 college alumnae made it
their mission to advance equity for women
and girls through advocacy, education,
research and philanthropy. That mission
lives on today among the women of South
County.
The Gilroy and Morgan Hill AAUW
chapters boast more than 200 volunteers,
mentors and leaders who are active in our
community. Membership includes women
who have distinguished themselves in
healthcare, architecture, high technology,
law, financial services, philanthropy, edu-
cation and more.
While the history of AAUW is rich, the
organization is very much forward-looking.
Areas of Focus
Education
Last year, local GEMS participants visited
sites including Elkhorn Slough, Monterey
Bay Aquarium, the Computer History
Museum and Joseph Grant County Park.
On March 13 the current crop of GEMS
participants will visit San Jose’s Tech
Museum to learn about one of the most
challenging issues of our time: cybersecurity.
• Tech Trek. A one-week summer camp
that engages girls in Science Technology
Engineering and Math (STEM) activities.
It began in California and has been
so successful that it is now a national
program. Each year our local AAUW
chapters offer scholarships to girls
completing 7th grade. The camp is held
at Stanford University.
“I the late 1960s I received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from
UC Davis. At the time there were very few careers available to women.
AAUW has empowered thousands of girls and women to explore a
wide range of career paths.”
Penny Lockhart, Co-president
Gilroy AAUW
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• Speech Trek. An annual speech contest for
high school students; organized, funded
and judged by AAUW. Contestants are
judged on speech content, organization
and presentation. The contest provides
opportunities to compete at local and
state levels for cash prizes.
• Girls Engaged in Math & Science
(GEMS). An enrichment program
for middle and high school girls in
Morgan Hill and Gilroy Unified School
Districts. Field trips and presentations
by accomplished women of math and
science provide girls with a vision of the
possibilities that await if they pursue this
path in their careers.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
• Scholarships and Grants. Each year a
number of different awards are made
to new or returning female students
in associate/ bachelor degree college
programs, and in Gavilan College’s
nursing program. Additional grants provide
past scholarship winners with follow-on
support in completing their degrees.
Community Outreach
• Outreach/Action Grants. Competitive
grants that support local non-profits
such as Community Solutions, Discovery
Counseling Center, Learning & Loving
Education Center, and the Gift of
Reading program.
• Voter Education. Organize election
forums, register voters, and educate the
public about non-partisan issues.
“It was guys telling jokes and saying, ‘Oops…there’s a woman
in the room.’ We’ve made a lot of progress but we’d like to see
more women in engineering.”
MARCH/APRIL 2016
Sabra Dupree, Co-president
Gilroy AAUW
gmhtoday.com