Interest Groups
Connecting Girls with STEM Careers
Alie Fohner , AAUW Gilroy Tech Trek scholarship winner now a PhD in Health Population Genetics
Live Oak High School senior Julia Leal
Alie Fohner attended Tech Trek on a scholarship from AAUW Gilroy in 1998 . Today , she holds a PhD degree in Public Health Genetics and works in the Department of Genetics at Stanford University . Her mom , Nancy Fohner , is a long-time AAUW member who has served as a camp director and instructor over the years .
Looking back on her time at camp , Alie said , “ Tech Trek introduces girls to the exciting and diverse things people are doing with science in the world . I can still picture myself at camp … learning about optics by building a pinhole camera and visiting a lab with huge and impressive equipment for studying biochemistry .” Fohner added that attending camp at Stanford introduced her to dorm life , dining halls , and navigating the campus ; an experience that she said for a middle school student was “ incredibly empowering .”
Live Oak High School senior Julia Leal plans to study Earth Systems when she enters Stanford University this fall . Leal will be the first in her family to attend college . She often looks back on Tech Trek as a life-changing experience . AAUW Morgan Hill provided her camp scholarship .
“ Stepping onto the Stanford campus and learning about the possibilities inherent in STEM careers inspired me ,” Leal said . Along with Tech Trek , Leal was also involved in the GEMS program and participated in a summer internship at Stanford in Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture .
Last month AAUW Morgan Hill held a special STEM workshop in memory of Lauren Jenkins , a branch member who passed away in 2015 . Jenkins founded the Girls Club , which later became GEMS , and was an early Tech Trek coordinator . “ The girls enjoyed a hands-on experience of an emerging area of science ,” Cox said . “ Afterword , they learned about environmental science careers from a panel of young women science professionals .” Both activities were held at Anarobe Systems in Morgan Hill . AAUW Co-President Mary Cox organized the event , which provided more than a dozen high school girls with insight into how agricultural crop waste can be naturally fermented to produce fertilizer and hydrogen for re-use .
Leadership , Advocacy and Philanthropy
• Sponsorships . Selected AAUW members have an opportunity to participate in leadership training programs such as that of Leadership Morgan Hill . Morgan Hill AAUW sponsors a college student to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders training .
• Education Foundation . The AAUW Education Foundation supports projects and research in alignment with the AAUW mission .
• Advocacy . Support of other AAUW priorities including public policy and legal advocacy related to equity for girls and women .
Interest Groups
According to AAUW Gilroy Co-president Sabra Dupree , “ I ’ ve never met a group that is more supportive of each other . I can take people to AAUW events and know they ’ ll be most welcome . It ’ s easy to start up a group based on member interests .”
Dupree shares the co-presidency with Penny Lockhart , who added that “ AAUW is a great organization for young moms who crave adult conversation and are looking for opportunities to network with other women involved in the community .”
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS give members a chance to share thoughts and reactions to books .
SYMPHONY AND THEATER OUTINGS provides members with an opportunity to enjoy virtuouso performances by South Valley Symphony , as well as award-winning plays and musicals at South Valley Civic Theater , Pintello Comedy Theater and Limelight Theater and other venues . “ Wine & Whine ” brings members together for a little libation and conversation at local restaurants and wineries .
LUNCH AND DINNER GET-TOGETHERS help members stay connected while enjoying a meal together . These include gatherings in member ’ s homes ( sometimes sharing recipes and cooking together ) as well as at local restaurants .
“ AAUW has connected me with several generations of women who have made positive changes in their lives and in the community . In the late 1980s I decided to pursue a graduate degree so I could transition from academics to a high tech career . A grant from AAUW helped me achieve my goal . ”
Jenny Redfern , Co-president Morgan Hill AAUW
“ I joined AAUW and was amazed not only by the group ’ s welcoming attitude , but also its diversity and the opportunities to connect with women I might not have met otherwise … women who are leaders in the community .”
Mary Cox , Co-president Morgan Hill AAUW
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH / APRIL 2016 gmhtoday . com
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