Welcome to the San Luis Obispo (CA) Branch of AAUW!

March Branch Meeting

Successful Women in Business

Saturday, March 16h, 10:00 am

House of Bread 1025 Farmhouse Lane SLO

We are all looking forward to our in person meeting in March, which is Women’s History Month.  To honor this, our topic is Successful Women in Business.  It will be a panel discussion with four very qualified women owners whose businesses are here in San Luis Obispo.  Our President, Debra Valencia-Laver, will be the moderator for the panel, and there will be question time following the presentation.

The following Bios were submitted by the presenters, so you will know about each one prior to the meeting.  Enjoy leaning about each one.

    After five years as a trial attorney, Sheila McCann decided to leave the conflict-driven scene in pursuit of opening her own bakery cafe.  Her goal was to find an opportunity to share her love of bread with the small California community that she lived in.

    Sheila was raised in Montana and grew up on fresh healthy bread made from flour that was locally-grown, without chemicals, GMOs, or other preservatives.  She arranged to use the same type of flour, and she drew upon her grandmother’s recipes to open the doors of the first House of Bread in San Luis Obispo in 1996.  Since then, she has franchised the concept, as well as opened the new cafe concept at the Farmhouse location.

    Alicia Aragon is a Latina entrepreneur who has been shaping creative landscapes since 2008.  With a dynamic background spanning commercial photography and the vibrant world of ballroom and Latin dance, she has left her mark across San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Nevada.  As a visionary leader, she continues to innovate and inspire through her entrepreneurial endeavors, bringing together artistry and passion in all that she does.

    Alicia calls San Luis Obispo home with her husband and 8-year-old twins.  She is passionate about giving back to the local community through volunteer work and her dance studio, Nexus SLO.  She began the business with one intent – to connect people in SLO County through the vehicle of dance.

    Cindy Edwards is the founder and president of CK Builders and Efficiency First Solutions.  Ms. Edwards has spent 40+ years in the construction industry in both the commercial, aerospace/industrial, and residential markets.  She was the second female apprentice carpenter to be accepted into the carpenter’s union local 2477. Cindy credentialed as a journeyman carpenter, then worked her way up to project manager.  23 years ago, she co-founded CK Builders, a residential remodeling construction company, which she still operates in San Luis Obispo County today.

    Cindy started her own business because she was unhappy with working for companies that got the job by being the lowest bidder.  The environment in construction can be a “race to the bottom.”  That was something she saw as a lose/lose proposition.

    Cheryl Vines, a native Californian, has lived on the Central Coast most of her life.  She is Owner/Interior designer of Mesa Design Group, a full service interior and landscape design firm since 2008 (Black owned and operated).  Cheryl received her formal education in Interior Design from UC Riverside.  In 2022, she established WICK-IT CANDLE CO, where she creates luxury, handcrafted soy candles.

    Cheryl grew up in Nipomo, where she resides with her husband of forty years.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, dancing, biking, and taking long walks on the beach or a country road. She is an active member in her community and is one of the founders and a charter member of the NAACP of SLO County.

Our AAUW Branch has been a part of the community for over 75 years.

The branch was instrumental in the creation of Mission Plaza and the Art Center of San Luis Obispo.  We also initiated Art Park, a summer arts program for children, and were founding members of the SLO County Women’s Legacy Fund.  We continue to sponsor candidates’ and issue forums.

Today the branch consists of more than 60 women from varied backgrounds who promote the Association’s goals.

Our current community actions include:

    • Tech Trek:  is a math and science camp for middle school girls
    • Adopt-a-Poll: staffing a voting site during elections
    • San Luis Obispo High School Scholarships: our branch raises money to provide scholarships for college-bound high school girls.
    • Scholarship & Loan Committee: was created to assist re-entry students at Cuesta College. The Committee is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
    • Support for the Educational Foundation: Provides fellowships and grants to women for graduate study and community action
    • Support for Legal Advocacy Fund: Provides support for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in academia and the workplace
    • Friends of the Library/AAUW In-School Reading Program: Volunteers read with children in a classroom setting to provide literacy experiences that encourage, support, and celebrate children’s efforts to learn to read.

Branch meetings are generally held once a month on either Monday evening or Saturday during the day at various locations around town. These monthly programs provide opportunities for members to discuss and learn about critical issues affecting women and the community.  For more details on upcoming programs please see the programs page. All meetings are open to the public. If you would like to talk to a branch representative before attending a meeting, please feel free to contact us.

We also have a variety of special interest groups you may enjoy.  These include two bridge groups, two book clubs, craft group, hiking, and dining out.  Please join us!

Like us on Facebook     social-facebook-box-blue-icon