LPD Livermore- Pleasanton-Dublin
Projects
Livermore-Pleasanton-Dublin Branch
Projects
ASSOCIATION
PROJECTS
AAUW EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (EF)
LEGAL ADVOCACY FUND (LAF)
AAUW-CALIFORNIA PROJECTS
TECH TREK SCIENCE CAMP
COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS
MECCA
TRIBUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD
AAUW EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (EF)
The
EF Vice Presidents for 2009-2010 are Evie Bakken
and Doris Ryon.
AAUW Educational Foundation is the largest source of funding
exclusively for graduate women in the world, supports aspiring scholars
around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at
critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where
women are underrepresented.
With the approval of the Foundation, branches may establish endowments
which are then supported in their funding by branch fundraising and
donations and financial support from other branches. Scholars may apply
for Foundation support by contacting the Foundation directly. More
information is available on the websites AAUW California and The
Association.
The Livermore-Pleasanton-Dublin branch has supported the AAUW
Educational Foundation (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation)
with the establishment of the three endowments supporting research and
education for women:
The Dawn Gordner Branch Research and Projects Endowment, the Joan
Kavanaugh Zehnder International Fellowship, and the Patricia Ann Mann
Research and Projects Endowment. Refer to LPD
EF Endowments for more details.
EF MISSION STATEMENT: The Educational Foundation provides funds to
advance education, research, and self-development for women to foster
equity and positive societal change.
YOUR HELP WANTED: If you have a heart for EF, have fundraising ideas,
and would like to be a part of a group of like-minded folk, please call
us. It is in conjunction with others that we can realize our goals,
that means our time and our dollars must follow our hearts.
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LPD EF Endowments
In 1981, the Dawn Gordner-Livermore Pleasanton (CA) Branch Research and
Projects Endowment was established. The Gordner endowment became fully
funded in 1988 and has supported scholars since then. Elizabeth McGee
is pursuing a project through the Dept. of Biological Sciences at San
Jose State University with her grant from this endowment. "Young Women
Mentors in Science" will recruit and train high school African American
and Latina girls chosen to serve as mentors forthe Echo Lake Youth in
Science program. The young women will work closely with the camp
instructors and mentor fifth- and sixth-grade girls from California who
attend the summer science camp.
In 1991, the branch established the Joan Kavanaugh Zehnder
International Fellowship. The Zehnder endowment began to support
International scholars in 1994. Eun Othelia Lee from Korea is the
current fellow supported by this endowment. Blind since birth, she is
pursuing a Ph. D. in social work at Columbia University. She is
examining the predictors of psychological well-being among women with
disabilities n Korea and exploring barriers to education, employment,
marriage, and social services.
In 1997, the branch established the Patricia Ann Mann Research and
Projects Endowment. At the April 1999 AAUW-CA convention,it was
announced that this endowment has been fully funded. The first
recipient of a grant from this endowment is Erika Riddington, who is
pursuing a M.L.A., landscape architecture from the University of
Virginia. She is interested in post-industrial landscapes and the role
of design in their revitalization.
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LEGAL ADVOCACY FUND (LAF)
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) provides financial and emotional
support for women seeking redress in the courts for sex discrimination
in academia. LAF, established in 1981, is the largest legal fund
focused entirely on this objective.
This fund is also a 501(c)(3) foundation administered by our national
organization. It provides case support to women involved in sexual
harassment or discrimination cases in academia.
The LAF began the Campus Outreach Program in 1997 which will bring sex
discrimination awareness and prevention programs to colleges and
universities.
For further information, visit the LAF page on the AAUW-CA website.
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MECCA
(Making Electives Count for Career Achievement)
The MECCA chair for 2009-2010 is Robin
Morgan.
MECCA was created in 1994 by a grant from the State Commission of
Gender Equity. The Pleasanton Unified School District and LPD AAUW
co-sponsored the program to stimulate female student interest in
non-traditional technical, scientific and math careers.
This project was begun by LPD member, Fran Trout, prior to her
retirement from the Pleasanton Unified School District. Initially it
was implemented at the two high schools in Pleasanton as an opportunity
for girls to have exposure to technology careers outside of the
classroom and keep interested in math and science classes.
State budget problems caused the loss of grant money in 1998, reducing
MECCA programs in California from 65 to three. The Dublin and Livermore
School Districts and the Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Programs
(ROP) joined The Pleasanton School District and AAUW LPD to continue
the program. Currently only the Valley program survives. In the
meantime the number of young women referred by math and science
teachers in the Valley has doubled. The LPD board decided that they
should continue their support of the program and is looking for ways to
offer more support.
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TECH
TREK SCIENCE CAMP
The TECH TREK chair for 2009-2010 is Vickie Drake.
Tech Trek Science Camp is a project of AAUW California. Local branches
send girls who are currently in seventh grade to one of several summer
camps. The girls sponsored by LPD attend a camp at Mills College in
Oakland.
Through this experience, hundreds of seventh grade girls in California
are becoming more interested in science and math, developing new
friends from all over the state, and increasing their self-confidence.
Many girls want to be counselors to the next group of girls to help
make a difference in their lives.
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TRIBUTE
TO EXCELLENCE AWARD
2005-2006 Chair: Elva Cooper
Each year, our branch recognizes an outstanding graduate of Las Positas
College with the Tribute to Excellence Award. The recipient is chosen
by the faculty and we present the winner with a plaque.
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