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Special Activities
Educational Foundation (EF)
The AAUW Educational Foundation is one of the largest private sources of educational grants for women. When you support the AAUW Educational Foundation, you (1) promote academic excellence; (2) help women scholars pursue research that enriches their fields and betters their lives; (3) demonstrates your commitment to the community; (4) help women enter professions that offer greater independence, security, and prestige, and (5) support innovative public school teaching and community programs to enrich girls' education.
This year our local branch fund-raisers will include monthly raffle items and individual donations from branch members.
International / Diversity
The international group provides multiple opportunities for AAUW members to expand their knowledge and awareness of other countries and cultures, specifically in relation to the lives of women, education for women and girls, and equity. We act on the AAUW mission and vision statements to learn more, connect more, and do more about reducing global poverty and improving the lives of women and girls worldwide. We are interested in geography and developing Branch activities with HSU's Geography Department and the National Geographic Geography Bee for students in grades 4 to 6. We are beginning with materials and the local schools and hope to facilitate a regional bee in various ways, perhaps in the spring. Anyone interested is encouraged to join in an activity that should be educational and fun.
As part of our Diversity efforts, we encourage a broad spectrum of membership and will expand our communications and connections to "broaden our base." Also, woman-to-woman gatherings will provide opportunities to meet women from other paces and cultures.
Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF)
The LAF fund was created in 1981 as a result of a case filed by a group of 11 female professors against Cornell University alleging sex discrimination in the denial of tenure. The AAUW Ithaca Branch of New York was determined to support the "Cornell 11," as the case became known, and was instrumental in setting up a fund for that purpose. The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund became a two-year pilot project and was made permanent at the 1983 convention. The current statement of purpose from AAUW is tht "LAF was conceived and implemented as a fund that aggregates member contributions for investment in activities that prevent and combat sex discrimination and promotes gender equity."
Public Policy
Legislative activism has a long history in AAUW. Members first lobbied for women's suffrage in 1892 and have continued to be responsible to the critical issues of the times. AAUW California's priorities for action complement the Association's Public Policy program and are chosen according to the criteria of viability, critical need, and strong member support. The three areas are: Equity - requires an application of legal definition; Education - builds the foundation of a democratic society; Societal Change - promotes the social, economic, and physical well-being of all individuals. Each area includes 5-10 specific issues, including the right to determine one's reproductive life.
Tech~Trek
Tech-Trek is a math/science camp designed to develop interests, excitement and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. It features hands-on activities in math, science, and related fields. Each potential camper, nominated by a teacher or administrator at her school, writes an essay and then is interviewed by a group of AAUW branch members. In 2001-2002, the Tech-Trek Scholarship was renamed to the Susan Freeman Tech-Trek Scholarship to honor Susan Freeman.
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