On April 13, AAUW California recognized AAUW San Jose’s Strong Girls, Strong Women high school girls’ leadership conference as one of the top 10 mission based programs in California for 2013 at the AAUW CA Convention. The leadership conference focuses on equity issues faced by girls and women, empowering them to be leaders in their community. On May 3, AAUW San Jose sponsored another very successful leadership conference at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, attended by over 300 girls and mothers. 2014-05 May BONFIRE

“Transforming Nonprofits for the Millennial Generation” Professor Linda Alepin, Santa Clara University Professor of Leadership and the 2013 recipient of AAUW’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award for her role as founder and Director of the Global Women’s Leadership Network, will discuss the challenges we must face to preserve the vital role of AAUW San Jose as we work for equity for women and girls. 2014-04 April BONFIRE

National Women’s History Month’s theme this year is”Celebrating Women of Character, Courage & Commitment” is the 2014 theme of the National Women’s History Project. In 1980, The NWHP was joined by hundreds of organizations and individuals when it spearheaded the movement for March to be declared as National Women’s History Month. The 2014 theme honors the
extraordinary and often unrecognized determination and tenacity of women. Women demonstrate their character, courage and commitment as mothers, educators, institution builders, business, labor, political and community leaders and CEOs. Read More in the March BONFIRE

Support AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund which works to combat sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace as you enjoy an afternoon of performances from countries around the world, many never seen in this country and never all in one event. Read more in the February 2014 Bonfire

Get a head start on your holiday shopping and make a difference in a college woman’s life! Your purchases benefit AAUW San Jose Branch Local Scholarship program and will help provide scholarships to deserving women to further their college education at four-year institutions. Read more in the November 2013 newsletter.

After calling our first meeting of the year to order, President Geri Madden introduced keynote speaker Patrick Schmitt, Chancellor of West Valley College, whose remarks were followed by expressions of thanks from our current Local Scholarship winners and four of our six Tech Trek campers. Many members agreed that hearing these young women was a highlight of the morning. Read more in the October 2013 newsletter.

Founded in September 1996, Tech Excellence is a Community Action Project for seventh grade girls at the John Muir Middle School. This project aims to introduce girls to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) early in life. Professional women present theories, applications and interactive learning activities in the classroom. Field trips reinforce the lessons learned. Classroom volunteers steer the girls to ask questions, clarify instructions at each station, and help facilitate learning. Read more in the September 2013 newsletter.

Abisaid Esquivel, from Sylvandale Middle School, is dissecting a squid on her first day of camp. She is one of six girls our Branch sponsored to attend “Camp Marie Curie” Science and Math Camp at Stanford University from July 7 – 13. They are home now with wonderful stories to tell. Meet them at Fall Event on September 7. More information in the newsletter.