The branches honored on the 2008-09 Wall of Fame have held innovative and timely mission-based programs – programs that illustrate the unifying focus of AAUW: Breaking Through Barriers. In addition, our honored branches recognize the importance of community outreach. They have reached beyond quality programming for members to a broader audience that includes coalition partners and the general public, thereby insuring their community’s recognition and branch growth.
We, the 2008-09 Program Committee, congratulate and honor these fourteen innovative branches.
Arcadia – English Proficiency
The Arcadia Branch and the Arcadia Public Library co-sponsor a weekly community outreach program for adult residents who can read English but want to improve their speaking ability. The class combines large-group instruction with small group tutors.
In 2008, Arcadia Branch members dedicated over 1,000 hours to make this outreach successful! Congratulations, Arcadia.
Auburn – Community Outreach with Timely Topics
The Auburn Branch is taking a creative approach to community outreach. Many of their meetings are held in community settings at unique times like Saturday morning – 9:30 AM.
Most meetings combine two related topics and speakers. One program paired Heart Health withSafety for Women – featuring Officer Dalton of the Auburn Police Department.
For creative community outreach, we honor the Auburn Branch.
China Lake-Ridgecrest – Encouraging Girls in STEM Subjects
The China Lake-Ridgecrest Branch has sent over 70 girls to Tech Trek camp!
In celebration of their long term commitment to girls, members and Tech Trek alum joined to discuss the financial, family and competition restraints the girls may face in the future. The message: “never give up a dream, believe, and accept responsibility for it.“
For their long-term commitment to girls, we honor the China Lake–Ridgecrest Branch.
Laguna Hills – International Understanding
The Laguna Hills Branch explored the mores of two cultures – and the challenges women face in them – as part of their international women’s program. Taking their lead from the AAUW goal of involving branches in global issues, Laguna Hills brought together two women, one from China and a second from India, to explore how women in these two countries handled marriage, social justice and employment.
For advancing International Understanding, we honor Laguna Hills.
Napa County – Cyberbullying
AAUW Napa provided a one-day conference on cyberbullying. Their goal was to provide training and resources to the community, raise awareness and provide parents with coping strategies in order to decrease the occurrences and harmful impact of cyberbullying. Helpful information is available at www.aauwnapa.org
For timely topics and community outreach we honor the Napa County Branch.
Oakland-Piedmont – Safe Cosmetics
The Oakland-Piedmont Branch rocked an overflow crowd with a public policy program on Safe Cosmetics. The event was co-sponsored with East Bay NOW and motivated by AAUW’s public policy position on harmful chemicals in cosmetics. Speakers included: Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face, AAUW-CA Past-President Rita Wustner and Carly Wertheim from the Marin County Teens for Green and Safe Cosmetics.
Congratulations to the Oakland-Piedmont Branch – for the public policy advocacy.
Redlands – Literacy and Library Skills
The Redlands branch is celebrating 15 years of commitment to literacy. Fifteen years ago, branch members opened the doors of the Orangewood Continuation High School library in Redlands – five hours a day, five days a week.
Branch members ascertain a student’s interests and reading level, then recommend books for them. They also tutor and aid in research for class assignments. They have catalogued more than 4000 books and are completely responsible for the library as no school staff is assigned to the facility.
Add it up…that’s over 100,000 volunteer hours. For super human effort in the area of literacy, we honor the Redlands branch.
Sacramento – Equity in the Media
The Sacramento branch has begun breaking through barriers with women in the media. They brought together 3 women – high profile Channel 10 news anchor Cristina Mendoza, (pictured here), a newspaper political editor, and a former Deputy Chief of Staff for Gov. Schwarzenegger – to discuss the progress and status of women in the media. These women shared anecdotes ranging from having to quit a media job because of harassment to working for a news agency that is run by a majority of women.
Shedding light in dark and secretive places is the first step to breaking through barriers. Congratulations, Sacramento!
San Diego – Equity in the Military
The San Diego Branch has made a firm commitment to mission based programming. Everything they do is analyzed in light of their focus on breaking through barriers. One example is San Diego’s Women In America presentation at the 2009 AAUW CA convention Gala. Another program,Proud To Serve, will receive recognition at the AAUW national convention in June 2009.
For their firm commitment to mission based programming, we honor San Diego.
San Fernando Valley – Financial Literacy for Teens
The San Fernando Valley Branch collaborated with Budget Challenge Junior Achievement of So. CA, two Los Angeles Unified School Board members, four high schools, one private nonprofit organization and an LA City Council Member to hold a Budget Challenge – a day-long workshop on practical financial budgeting for 120 high school juniors and seniors. A press release was sent out, and the LAUSD TV channel filmed the day of the event.
For outstanding effort and achievement in the area of financial literacy for teens, we honor San Fernando Valley!
San Mateo – Improving the Lives of Incarcerated Women
The San Mateo Branch recognizes that barriers come in all shapes and sizes. Thus, they have joined with the League of Women Voters to support incarcerated women. The combined groups have viewed the overcrowded conditions inside their local women’s jail and educated themselves on the tremendous need for a new facility. In October they held a public meeting on improving the criminal justice system with Police Chief Susan Manheimer – pictured here.
San Mateo continues to provide craft materials, books and clothing to these struggling women. For breaking through barriers, we honor San Mateo.
Santa Maria – Leadership Skills for Girls
The Santa Maria branch partnered with Atascadero members and local Girl Scout leaders to examine the impact of leadership training on girls.
This Speaking of Girls event had three parts. First the Girl Scout Regional Vice President described current scouting programs; next, girl scouts spoke enthusiastically about leadership skills; and, finally, an overview was provided of Where the Girls Are, AAUW’s research on gender equity.
Thank you, Santa Maria, for advancing leadership skills in girls.
Sunnyvale-Cupertino – Mentoring Girls at Risk
Each month the Sunnyvale-Cupertino Branch honors two at-risk girls who are doing well in high school. This Girls of the Month program includes mentoring and trips to local college campuses.
For offering a loving hand to at-risk girls, we honor the Sunnyvale-Cupertino branch.
Thousand Oaks – Financial Fitness for Women
We honor the Thousand Oaks branch for fostering financial fitness in women. Their annual forum – Women’s Financial Fitness – raises local scholarship money, brings in new members and is educating women to take action to control their financial lives.
For fostering financial fitness in women, we honor the Thousand Oaks branch.