History

In 1972, twenty-five local women formed the Healdsburg Chapter of AAUW. This chapter, reaching from Windsor to Cloverdale, is one of over 1,300 branches of the respected national American Association of University Women founded in 1881. Today, membership in the Healdsburg Chapter is 130 members.

In the past 10 years our AAUW members have raised over $130,000 for scholarships. These have been awarded to graduating seniors from Cloverdale to Windsor High Schools, to women re-entering college, and/or girls about to enter eighth grade to attend Tech Trek, a science and technology camp held each year at Stanford University. We also help provide financial support to the Healdsburg Education Foundation.

People of every race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, and level of physical ability holding an associate degree or higher and who support the mission of AAUW, that is: to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research, are invited to join.

For more information about the Healdsburg Chapter of AAUW, contact Membership Chair Mary Ann Mayo by email or phone (707-433-6047)or just visit our membership page.

Career Coaching - As part of our commitment to education, during the 2009 spring semester AAUW developed and presented 10 panels at Healdsburg High School to help teens learn about potential careers. Named Career Coaches, this program was developed by Dee McGuffey and Judy Edmonds.  This year we are partnering with Healdsburg Rotary and expanding the Career Coaching Program.

Reading Rocks - This program is designed to help children improve their reading skills in the first grade.  Many AAUW members volunteer weekly to go to the six first-grade classes at Healdsburg Elementary School.  They listen to children individually reading stories chosen by their teachers, helping them when needed, but mostly encouraging them one-on-one.  Since the introduction of Reading Rocks to the classrooms, reading test scores have greatly improved.  For more information, contact Jane Oriel.

Volunteers in Partnership with Community (Community VIPs) - In support of the local community, AAUW members often volunteer to help other non-profit organization with their main fundraisng events, such as luncheons, dinners, garden parties, fairs, etc.  Contact Judy Edmonds for more information.

Expanding Your Horizons - An annual one-day conference designed to nurture 7th & 8th grade girls' interest in math & science.  The Healdsburg Branch of AAUW supports the efforts of EYH with volunteer assistants and sponsorship for the participants.  For more information, contact Jan Garwin.

GEMS (Girls engaged in Math & Science) - This program, headed by Louise Lambert and Sue Campbell, takes middle- and high-school girls interested in math, science and technology on field trips to workplaces to meet professionals in these fields and to see how these skills are utilized.  Our Tech Trek graduates are the main focus, but other girls with similar interests are welcome and encouraged to join.

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