October 2024

Carol McMillan Co-President

Diane  Kellegrew Co-President

I am looking forward to the October Branch meeting where we will all have a chance to learn more about Tech Trek, and now the follow-up STEM project we have joined with Bright Futures for Youth to operate. AAUW realized many years ago that supporting women in science and technology careers was critical to the mission of helping each to achieve her highest potential.
Tech Trek began in 1998 in California to start to address the gap in women pursuing those areas. It is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. It features hands-on activities in STEM-related fields. The program inspired AAUW branches in many other states to create similar programs. Last summer, in California, seven in-person camps and one virtual camp enabled nearly 1000 girls to explore their possible futures. What a wonderful 26-year legacy for the future women of California.
While progress has been made over the years, women still only make up 34% of the workforce in STEM fields and the gap is particularly large in some of highest paid and most in-demand fields – Computers and Math – 25% are women, Engineers and Architects – 16% (Source, US Bureau of Labor Statistics). Although nearly 80% of the health care workforce are women, only one third of doctors are. Check the AAUW website for two important research studies: Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics– 2010 and Solving the Equation: The Variables for Women’s Success in Engineering & Computing – 2015, as well as many other resources on this topic.
I think we can be very proud of our efforts to make the work world inclusive. Tech Trek is a big step in this direction. The capable leadership of Martha Rees and our dedicated committee of volunteers makes this all possible. See you in October when we celebrate this year’s participants. – Carol McMillan

September 2024

Welcome Back!
From Diane Kellegrew, Co-President
On July 1, 2024, Carol McMillan and I began our term as new Co-Presidents of AAUW- Nevada County Branch. This summer has been filled with meetings and plans to prepare for the new term. Our single-minded mission is to ‘Engage New and Returning Members.’
Over the past two years our membership has grown by over 50%. New members are bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to every aspect of the Branch. However, there have been growing pains to include the need for larger meeting rooms and more Interest Groups.
In order to better engage all members, it is helpful to know more about members, both new and long-standing. This straightforward mission is not a simple quest. We ask ourselves why did you join AAUW? What keeps you engaged? What are your ideas to strengthen our organization? We invite you to share your thoughts as we reach out this year.
The AAUW Welcome Back Brunch Saturday, September 21, kicks off our new season. This lively, interactive meeting serves up excellent food, free drawings, and prizes, and time to meet new members and connect with friends. We will showcase ways you can join like-minded local women in Interest Groups, volunteer opportunities, or as active listeners during our Branch meetings. In addition, we will highlight AAUW’s State and national efforts to empower women and girls. Come hear about the ways this work is carried out in our community to include national and local scholarship awards, Tech Trek programs, and public policy partnerships. The Welcome Back Brunch is a rousing, crowd-pleasing tradition to launch our new AAUW season.
Please join us!