What is it?
The Branch Activity of the Year Award is the recognition of a signature branch activity presented during the period of one year ending on March 1, 2023. The program provides branches an opportunity to showcase and share an activity that is novel, inspirational, reproducible, and promotes AAUW’s mission and image. The activity may be a one-off program or event or a sustained recurring project for which the branch is known. Note: the application deadline has passed for this year.
Awardees
Congratulations to the awardees who were announced at the 2023 Academy AAUWards Annual Event!
Projects submitted
Click on the title to view the description and contact information.
28th Math & Science Conference for 8th grade girls
Greater Whittier Area
Contact: Nadine Wilcox
n.m.wilcox462@gmail.com
We emailed more than 30 area middle school contacts and each could bring up to 14 eighth grade girls and one advisor to our 28th Math/Science Conference. It was “first come, first served” until we reached 400 participants. Ten classrooms at Whittier College were used including seven in the Science Building. We have served approximately 11,000 young women throughout the years, so it has been very worthwhile. On the day of the event, the attendees receive a nylon backpack imprinted with the AAUW symbol for them to keep and use. A brief orientation is held when the attendees arrive, and they hear a bit more about us before they leave to pick up a snack and attend the first workshop. Many branch volunteers help on the day of the event to serve as a hostess in the ten workshops, at registration, to guide the attendees from building to building, and to help prepare packets the week before the conference.
A Phenomenal Woman and a Coaching Legend
La Mesa-El Cajon
Contact: Suzanne Sutton
ssutton1950@gmail.com
In honor of Black History Month and 50 years of Title IX our program featured two diverse women to share their stories. First was Precious Jackson-Hubbard, principal of Bell Middle School in east San Diego. Precious was named a phenomenal woman by the Women’s Museum of California in conjunction with the San Diego Union Tribune in 2021 and in 2022 Middle School Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators. Our second featured speaker was Mimi Test who was named a Coaching Legend by the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2000. Mimi compiled a won-loss record of 149 wins against one loss. Her story began with playing sports with her brothers and twin sister because there were no organized sports for girls. She spoke about becoming the first woman to coach a boy’s sport in San Diego County and shared stories about her athletes and how Title IX framed her career.
A Yearlong Celebration of Title IX
Brandman University Virtual Branch
Contact: Elise George
egeorge@umassglobal.edu
This year our branch took the theme of embracing the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. Two of our members created a calendar of events which focused on Title IX. For each general membership meeting, 15 – 45 minutes was allotted for the activity. At our first meeting we read the AAUW Proclamation of Title IX. It was also shared at a faculty meeting for the School of Arts and Sciences with a discussion about maintaining rigor for all students including our pregnant and parenting students. In November, we discussed ways our branch could support the Pregnant and Parenting Scholars group on campus. Several members volunteered to help decide the scholarship awards recipients for the Pregnant and Parenting Scholarship. In December, we focused more on public policy and completing the 2 minute activist activity in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. In January, our Title IX chairs led a discussion on the passing of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and what that entailed. In February, everyone read and discussed an article entitled “Colleges Brace for More Pregnant and Parenting Students.” Membership discussed how this would impact our faculty and what we could do to better assist our P and P students. In March, we hosted a guest speaker, Dr. Max Langdon, who spoke about women and mental health, with specific ideas about self care for educators. In April we will be hosting a book discussion on Chanel Miller’s book, Know My Name.
AAUW UKIAH Mascot Contest FUNdraiser
Ukiah
Contact: Sulin Bell
sulinbell@gmail.com
With newspaper articles, posters, radio interview, emails and texts, we invited residents of Mendocino County to submit photos of their pets and make a donation to enter the contest to win the title of AAUW Ukiah Mascot 2023 and the prize of a pet portrait by a pet portrait artist. The voting began and you had to “buy” votes with donations to support the work of our chapter. We had a Finale Celebration Party, an in person event with final voting, donations, refreshments, take home pet treats, announcement of the winner(s) and prizes.
The uniqueness is obvious, it was very successful financially, it opened people’s hearts and generosity and since we support animals in many ways, it was an opportunity for animals to support humans! It was great fun – we had two winners, a goat who win Grand Patron and a dog who won People’s Choice. The goat actually attended our finale “in person”!
This idea can be used by other branches and it is a welcome change from auctions, bake sales, holiday parties… and was all-inclusive since it even embraced other species!
Auburn AAUW Conversation and Connections
Auburn
Contact: Sharon Watson-Hamilton
hammynzippy@suddenlink.net
We established a monthly Community Television Program providing interviews and conversations promoting AAUW missions, value of membership, and advertising the upcoming Auburn AAUW events. Member Sharon Watson-Hamilton, reached out to the local Auburn Community Television Station requesting an application to produce and video a 1/2 hour program regarding Auburn AAUW. Easy way to reach a broad audience.
Bright Futures for Women Career Series
Livermore-Pleasanton-Dublin
Contact: Tina Amber
tmamber6@gmail.com
Our program consisted of three virtual zoom sessions, each featuring a panel of three young, professional women, sharing their career experiences, primarily in the tech field.
Each speaker was given 15 minutes to explain to the audience what they did, how they arrived at their career, including choice of college major, their post graduate education and how they overcame obstacles along the way. The remaining time was allocated to questions from the audience. We also asked that each participant mention how they maintained a work-life balance.
Our branch has been focused on encouraging young women to explore careers in tech. We wanted to share some of the amazing careers available. This also allowed us to establish (or re-establish) relationships with community resources, such as our community colleges and the Livermore Lawrence Laboratory.
Circles of Engagement
Palm Springs
Contact: shelley mitchell
shelleydmitchell@gmail.com
The program was broken into 2 components: The first component was a two-sided handout, prepared by Sharrell. It focused on AAUW’s mission, vision and values. Her brief presentation used a new slogan that everyone found memorable. She began by asking how do members respond when asked what AAUW stands for? She enthusiastically suggested that we proudly begin to say: “We ARE”!! She explained this means the AAUW is about Advocacy, Research and Education. Sharrell wanted our members to come away with an easy way to answer that question with a real appreciation of how their donations to the AAUW Fund are reflected in “We ARE.” The second component of the program was also unique. Sharrell proudly reminded us that our Branch Book Group had, during the pandemic, made a real effort to read a wide variety of diverse books that broadened members’ understanding of the depth of what DEI really means. She went on the share two books she had recently discovered that raised the same moral, eithical and DEI issues. Following a brief presentation about Michelle Obama’s book, All the Light We Carry and Nina Totenberg’s book, Dinners with Ruth. Sharrell asked attendees at each table to participate in a guided discussion of these issues.
Coffee & Convo
San Jose
Contact: Sonia Wrigh
sonia.wright.59@gmail.com
The AAUW San Jose Branch Membership Committee has been hosting Coffee & Convo events for current and prospective members almost monthly starting back in Sept. 2022. It started with the Coffee & Convo with Local Scholarship Recipients in September. After two years of pandemic lockdown, it was finally an opportunity to meet and see people in person. We did it outside in the parking lot of our Headquarters. People still didn’t want to be inside, but outside was okay. The first one was so successful they began offering monthly Coffee & Convo gatherings the last Saturday of the month for 2 hours; providing beverages, fruit and pastries. There is no set program or agenda, but they usually invite one of our Community Action Projects or Interest Groups to share what they are doing and how it aligns with our mission (Gifts for Teens, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Local Scholarships, Tech Trek, Public Policy, Great Decisions).
Collaborative branch program with United Nations Association Chapter of the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
Contact: Ginny Hatfield
ginnyaauw@gmail.com
Our branch partnered with the UNA-USA SFV chapter to produce a program on Food Insecurity: How are we meeting this challenge? We approached this topic from a global perspective and a regional one (meaning the greater LA area) We invited two panelists for the Zoom meeting: Shaza Moghraby, Communications Officer NY, with the World Food Program, and Roger Castle, Communications Director for the LA Regional Food Bank. Global population reached 8 billion by the end of 2022. Of that number 33.8 million people live in food-insecure households – the majority of which are women and children. Since November this number has only increased due to natural disasters and conflicts. On the regional level Southern CA food insecurity has increased due to the crisis we are facing with the unhoused. We wanted to educate our members on the scope of the problem both globally and near to home in order to learn how we could help contribute to the solution. We felt the timing was especially significant in that we held the program the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the holiday synonymous with the abundance of food.
Colorful Stories
Alhambra-San Gabriel
Contact: Kathleen Doty
dotyk@sbcglobal.net or dotyk2@gmail.com
Alhambra-San Gabriel Branch, in the persons of Jim and Kathleen Doty, conceived of a project to provide books for elementary students featuring protagonists of color to local school districts. We started small with just $250 in seed money and worked with Alhambra Unified School District in school year 2020-2021. We contacted the school district, offered to pay for however many books $250 would buy. They could choose the schools and classrooms that would receive the books. Encouraged by our first year success, the branch got behind the project in a big way and donations began to flow. In the 2021-2022 school year we contacted Alhambra Unified (again), San Gabriel Unified School District and Montebello School District offering each district $500, again for the purchase of books for elementary school students featuring protagonists of color. San Gabriel Unified responded right away, providing a list of books along with an invoice for just over (by about $4) the $1,000. The books and book plates were presented at Washington Elementary School on September 15, 2022. Alhambra Unified was a bit slower, but provided the list and purchased their books for just under (by about $3) the $1,000. Due to scheduling conflicts at the school, the Alhambra Unified presentation of books and book plates to Park Elementary School occurred January 10, 2023.
DEI – Conversations, Education, and Action
Morgan Hill
Contact: Suman Ganapathy
sumanmitraganapathy@gmail.com
Tasked with the DEI challenge from AAUW National, from May 24, 2022, onwards, AAUW Morgan Hill presented a series of programs conversations about DEI, moderated by the 3 DEI committee members who prepped and studied all issues intensely, starting from all the exceptional DEI resources shared by National & California AAUW. These conversations were held in the library in small groups with members and the public invited.
The very first event was an eye-opener and a success. It covered race, color, gender and education. The second was a conversation on the overturning of Roe v Wade, personal experiences and how it affected people unequally based on their experiences and their life situation. This powerful & memorable event truly opened minds to the need for reproductive freedom, and the issue of the current nationwide situation. The third event focused on Privilege, Elitism & allyship led to a decision to do things together including monitoring City Council meetings and upcoming legislations.
The fourth event about Missing, Murdered and Indigenous Women tackled this grave and not widely known issue – focused on violence, sexual assault, discrimination, racism of indigenous women, and inclusivity issues of our first peoples. It also shared ideas about what to do and how to support them.
The previous event led to a desire for a follow-up – which will take the form of the Red Dress Art exhibit in the library on May 5/6 and a follow-up discussion on May 23.
Diversity in Dining
Napa County
Contact: Melinda Dittman
Medittman@aol.com
In October 2022 our DEI officers introduced a new section called Diversity in Dining, a monthly lunch group that explores cuisine from different cultures. Restaurants are chosen in the Napa area – so far we’ve tasted food from Nepal, Thailand, Mexico, India and France, with upcoming plans for Japanese, MIddle Eastern, Greek and Moroccan experiences. Before the meal is served, our leaders present Fun Facts about the country’s cuisine. A section of Diversity in Dining is easily reproducible in your branch (everyone loves to eat!). Just look around your local area for different restaurants that intrigue you. Our section reached its 12 member maximum quickly and we have a wait list for cancellations or to start a second group next year. It inspires us to think outside our typical realm of restaurant choices and fits our AAUW goals to a “D” (for Diversity!)
Ending the Gender Gap in STEM
Oakland-Piedmont
Contact: 1-214-682-6246
We consulted with two of the most esteemed scientific institutions in the East Bay – the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Chabot Observatory and Science Center- to develop a unique hybrid program. With their help and cooperation, we are using the Chabot Science Center as an inspiring setting for outstanding speakers who take us from high security nuclear weapons projects to sending astronauts into space. Hearing young and articulate women talk expertly about fusion and space travel makes the most unimaginable seem doable .
These two signature programs, coming at the beginning and end of the year, track progress in AAUW’s mission to see more women and girls consider a career in STEM. The Kickoff meeting introduced our four returning participants in the 2022 Tech Trek summer science camp and heard the new found self-confidence and ambition of young women beginning to chart their lives in a totally different direction than they ever thought possible. The Wrap-up meeting will allow us to revisit them nine months later, this time with a female astronaut who proves that what was once thought outer worldly can really be outer worldly!
Equal Pay Day Movie and Panel
Healdsburg
Contact: Laura Tredinnick
latredinnick@gmail.com
We showed the movie “Woman of the Year,” starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. This movie demonstrates how women often give up their career ambitions for societal reasons. We sold tickets for $20 each (the event sold out) and included a glass of wine and popcorn in the ticket price. The movie screening was followed by an hour-long panel discussion. Panelists were three young women: Ariel Kelley, Mayor of Healdsburg; Erica Gutierrez, Corazon Healdsburg; and Denia Candela, Sonoma County Health Dept. They had a facilitated conversation to answer several questions. This was a unique event in that we had women who were not even born for decades after this movie was made discussing the very same issues that existed in 1942 from a 2023 perspective. We included a DEI component in the choice of our panelists. We also invited and donated tickets to other young women associated with our local non-profit which serves the Hispanic Community, Corazon Healdsburg.
Field trip to “The Museum of Making Music”
Carlsbad-Oceanside-Vista
Contact: Seena Trigas
historiantrigas@gmail.com
Our focus as an organization is now including STEAM, with the arts included with the sciences and math. This year we decided to connect again with the arts and we are fortunate to have in Carlsbad the NAMM Museum “celebrating the people who make instruments, who bring them to the marketplace, and who use them to color our world with sound.” The Executive Director Carolyn Grant presented a power point and gave us a powerful presentation on the role of the museum as it focuses on the history of the instruments from their manufacturing through the musicians reflecting social and cultural changes. There was discussion on how individual members were introduced to musical instruments and the impact music had on their lives. The branch members were then given a guided tour through the newly renovated museum (2021 renovation) and were enthralled by the interactive galleries and videos presented to help us understand the cultural and social roles that music plays in our lives.
Honoring Women: Our Families, Our Heroes, Our Friends – A Day of the Dead Community Altar
Petaluma
Contact: Jean Reed
jjkreed3@gmail.com
AAUW Petaluma created a Day of the Dead altar as part of the October exhibit at the Petaluma Art Center. As part of our DEI outreach, we connected with local artist Irma Vega Bijou who has experience teaching about the meaning and construction of altars of remembrance. In a September meeting with members, she shared her personal altars and examples of altars made by groups. She provided guidance in creating a communal altar to honor our loved ones.
The altar was constructed at the Petaluma Art Center where it was displayed for one month as part of the exhibit “Honoring Life: Love and Remembrance”. AAUW was one of 9 community groups from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The AAUW altar honored the mothers of ten current members, branch members who passed away over the past 10 years, and public figures important to women. Information about AAUW was included in the “wall text” posted with the altar and literature about AAUW was available for visitors.
Latino Youth Leadership Group
Thousand Oaks
Contact: Peggy Buckles
yourmom12345@aol.com
Member Sandra Martinez – Galven teaches Spanish for Spanish Speakers at a local high school. She and several members run the Latino Youth Leadership Group to inspire students to become leaders and achieve all that they are capable of. This was started a few years ago but about five years ago membership was waning, so it was decided to tell the students that they had to apply to join this group. There are currently thirty students in this group. The students meet in the fall, elect a president and vice president and are encouraged to invite informative and inspiring speakers to their twice monthly meetings. Branch members help the students find speakers, provide snacks for the meetings, encourage the students to volunteer to enhance their resumes, mentor students and write college recommendations for the students. The branch provides scholarships for at least two seniors who have been accepted to either a community college or a four-year college or university.
Library volunteers at Burckhalter Elementary School
Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette
Contact: Peggy S Cabaniss
pcabaniss7@gmail.com
For over 30 years, our branch has provided librarians, volunteers, and tutors to run the library at an inner city school in East Oakland. The project is aligned with AAUW’s mission in that it seeks to promote education and equity for all, young girls and young boys. The students at this school are primarily of color and from disadvantaged economic backgrounds. The program is unique in that many of our volunteers are professional librarians and understand the needs of elementary students and their having materials that relate to their lives.
Marketing & Communications Strategy
Beach Cities
Contact: Jina Wakimoto
wakimotojina@gmail.com
With this in mind we formed a Marketing and Communications Team who began by laying out a marketing strategy to tell our story and establish our brand identity. The discussion of this marketing strategy involved agreeing on the following:
1. The 4 Ps of branding – Purpose, Position, Personality, Promise
2. Clarifying our target audience (primary, secondary, tertiary)
3. Establishing measurable marketing goals
The consensus from these discussions resulted in a coordinated communications strategy, with our new brand message: “Advancing the Lives of Women and Girls Through Advocacy and Education”.
Meeting Our Sisters in Alpha Kappa Alpha
La Mesa-El Cajon
Contact: Suzanne Sutton
ssutton1950@gmail.com
Working with one of our members who also belongs to Alpha Kappa Alpha we planned a meeting with the sorority to explore common interests and goals. The sisters of AKA brought year books, memorabilia, and through a power point presentation shared with our membership their history, philanthropic work and mission. We spoke about common interests between the groups and how we could collaborate in the future.
This was a wonderful opportunity to education both groups about the other, and to learn of the cultural similarities and differences, not only in our organizations but also in our communities. This was also a salute to Black History month.
Pros and Cons of Propositions on Nov 8 Ballot
Tustin-Santa Ana-Orange
Contact: Tarry Goeden
tarrygoeden@yahoo.com
The Tustin Santa Ana Orange Branch has often provided information to our community about elections. In October 2022 we partnered with the local League of Women Voters to present the Pros and Cons of the Propositions. November 2022’s ballot propositions included important topics such as access to abortion, arts education and vaping limitations. The program was held at the community room of the Tustin Library and was open to the public. There were more than 60 attendees from our branch, the league and from the community.
About two weeks after the program our Urban Explorers interest group arranged a tour of the Orange County Registrar of Voters. Staff Guided us through the steps that a voted ballot would undergo. We learned that every step of the way the ballots were protected by multiple personnel and duplicate checks to secure our ballots. It was a fascinating and educational experience.
STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette
Contact: Peggy S Cabaniss
pcabaniss7@gmail.com
Our branch planned an all day conference at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA, for over 150 middle school girls, that featured hands-on workshops, a keynote speaker, and a parents’ program. The participants from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade middle schools came from our local communities as well as from underserved communities in nearby counties. In addition to the participants, high school volunteers who had participated in the program in previous years worked as Ambassadors to monitor and guide the young girls throughout the day.
The purpose of the conference was to introduce, inspire, and encourage young women’s interest in STEM programs by introducing them to topics presented at the various workshops. Workshops varied in scope from physics to computers to engineering to math and biology.
In addition to the workshops, the conference also presented a program for the parents featuring a panel of experts discussing the challenges and issues faced by young women in today’s society.
Last year’s conference was the fifth year that our branch has sponsored a day of STEM workshops for middle school girls. We have seen the impact of introducing 150-200 young women each year to science related topics, of encouraging them to continue taking classes leading to STEM career as they enter high school and then college, and of developing leadership opportunities as Ambassadors for future conferences.
Tech Trek 25th Anniversary Celebration
Long Beach
Contact: Valerie Armstrong
valeriebeth@verizon.net
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Tech Trek, AAUW Long Beach held a special event at the Long Beach City College Planetarium. Nine former Tech Trek campers spoke about their experiences at Tech Trek, describing how the program influenced their future career goals. They also shared their favorite aspects of the camp and talked about lasting friendships that were made. Their family members attended, as well as the teachers who nominated them for Tech Trek.
The program began with a presentation in the Planetarium by Asst. Professor Jorge Ramirez on the constellations. Following the presentation, a panel of nine former Tech Trek campers spoke about their experiences at UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, and Whittier College. The students talked about their favorite activities, which included a boat trip to observe dolphins, workshops about careers in STEM fields, living in a college dorm, and making lasting friendships with other Tech Trek campers. The students were given certificates and gift bags following their presentation. We also honored their teachers and our Tech Trek volunteers with gift bags.
The 1619 Project – An Introduction in Rhythm, Sound and Words
Thousand Oaks
Contact: Peggy Buckles
yourmom12345@aol.com
We invited Dr. Greg Freeland of California Lutheran University to speak at the city library and give us a background in the history of slavery before we began reading the book, “the 1619 Project”. After Dr. Freeland’s presentation we asked the audience to sign up for book group discussions to be held both in-person or on Zoom. We partnered with the library so that they could help advertise the event to the public and we invited the Camarillo and Simi Branches to participate as well. About 125 people came to the event including two City Council members and one School Board member. Seventy people signed up to join the book groups and these will meet monthly led by branch members for six months.
Watch Abortion and Womens Rights 1970
Berkeley
Contact: Karen Weinstein
Karenweinstein.berkeley@gmail.com
Because Self Determination in Reproductive Health is such an important AAUW policy, our Berkeley chapter decided to sponsor a film Abortion and Womens Rights 1970, made by one of our members,that was shown at the Berkeley Film and Video Festival. The film itself is unique in that it was made before Roe V. Wade and it is a powerful reminder of the conditions and demands that inspired the movement for abortion rights and reproductive justice. It also speaks to the obstacles facing women of color, and that 80-90%of women who died from illegal abortions were nonwhite, poor women. AAUW Berkeley reached out to other organizations such as the League of Women Voters, YWCA, Planned Parenthood, UC Berkeley, and UCSF to let them know about the film and it was a full house at the showing. It worked because this is such a critical time to be standing up for reproductive rights.
What is the Importance of Women’s History Month?
Laguna Beach
Contact: Sigrid Moranz
sigridmoranz@aol.com
We created a zoom event in partnership with the “Women’s Journey Foundation”, a local organization that promote equity for women and girls and offers many programs in the community. This event contained several media components. I have attached a video of the meeting. You can see it here at this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/IjtDDu5QrIE
It starts with the video “What is a Woman?” then proceeds to read excerpts from a 16-year-old girl writing to the Washington Post about how women are portrayed or omitted from her high school AP History course. We then pulled together a collection of scenes from a series of videos produced by “Womens Journey Foundation”. It is in the format of a journalist testifying in court. The judge is Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the witnesses are women in history you should know about but don’t. The “witnesses” include an Admiral in the Navy who invented the computer language, COBOL; an African American woman who was a civil rights activist, and many others. We had more clips than we could incorporate due to time restraints. We incorporated audience reactions and input throughout the program. We posted the video on our website for those who could not attend the live production.
Women in the Media
La Mesa-El Cajon
Contact: Suzanne Sutton
ssutton1950@gmail.com
Using a Hollywood glitz and glamor motif our branch welcomed Delana Bennett from I Heart Radio 94.1, Regina Yurrita from KFMB News 8, Lisa Deaderick from the San Diego Union & Evening Tribune and social media entrepreneur, Carolyn Carpenter to speak about what it is like to be working in the media.
Women. Life. Freedom (Zan. Zendegi. Azadi): Women’s Rights in Iran
Santa Maria
Contact: Lata Murti, Laura Selken
latamurti@gmail.com, laura.selken@gmail.com
For International Women’s Day 2023, we collaborated with two other organizations–Women’s March Santa Maria Valley and the Santa Maria Public Library–to host an Iranian-American professor from several hours away to talk in person about the current state of women’s rights and the women’s movement in Iran. The speaker, a member of AAUW-University of Massachusetts Global, spoke from personal and professional experience and educated a diverse audience, both in person and virtual, on the lives of women in Iran. Most knew little about the topic, as there is not a large or concentrated Iranian-American community in the Santa Maria Valley. Also, international media coverage of this topic in our region has been minimal.