PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Moving Forward Together: Advancing in Equity and Inclusion is our theme for the GWA-AAUW branch this year. We certainly moved forward in celebrating the kickoff of our 100th anniversary at the branch meeting on September 13. Starting with a delicious brunch, thanks to Marian Locke, Hospitality VP, Pat Dudley then led us in equity and inclusion with table-talks about the meaning of names, and Ann Topjon organized presentations of all the sections. Everyone is welcome at any one of the interest groups.
The results are in! We received four stars in the AAUW Five-Star program, and the following announcement from Tremayne A. Parquet, AAUW Deputy Director of Advancement:
“I’m delighted to share that the Greater Whittier Area AAUW (CA) Branch has earned a Public Policy & Advocacy, Governance & Sustainability, Programming, and Communications & External Relations Star in the Five Star Program for FY25! This achievement reflects your branch’s commitment to advancing gender equity and aligning your programs, advocacy, and sustainability efforts with AAUW’s strategic priorities.
During the coming year, in FY26, we will be using the guidance of the Five-Star program to make sure we provide activities, programs, and leadership that advance the mission of AAUW.
The AAUW Fall Member Gathering on Zoom was inspirational and informative. In these trying times of disagreements and division, AAUW presented its unwavering commitment to advancing our mission, identifying where support is needed for political, but non-partisan, actions. If you missed the meeting, a recording will be available soon on the aauw.org website. As a matter of fact, be sure to log on and check out the many webinars that have been presented addressing social justice, advocacy, professional development, STEM, and membership. You can go directly to the webinars page at https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/webinars/.
One of my goals for this year is to get more members involved in leadership and governance for our branch. For me, it’s been truly rewarding to be involved with great people in sharing ideas and actions to keep our branch going. But we need you! We need more voices and new ideas. Today, I am focusing on one position, Tech Trek Coordinator. The MLSF has budgeted to send six girls to attend Tech Trek, but currently, we do not have the position filled, and we won’t be able to move forward with the program without a Tech Trek Coordinator. You will attend monthly AAUW California Tech Trek peer group meetings on Zoom and have the support and mentorship of our experienced GWA-AAUW Tech Trek Committee. Get motivated and check out the Tech Trek website at https://www.aauw-ca.org/tech-trek/. Contact me with your interest and questions at pocampo@aol.com.
We have a lot going on and new ideas coming in all the time. Let’s hear yours. Plans are moving ahead for a big 100th Anniversary celebration at our April meeting. Do you have photos, videos, newspaper clippings, or mementos that show the history of our marvelous 100-year-old branch? Send them to me or to Claire Koehler, Program VP, who is in charge of planning the program.
Paula Ocampo, Branch President
AAUW MISSION STATEMENT – To advance equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.