AAUW Funds: Our branch raises money to support various national AAUW funds,
including the Greatest Needs Fund, the Education Fund, which provides fellowships and
grants for graduate study, and the Legal Advocacy Fund, which provides financial
support for women seeking judicial redress for workplace sex discrimination.
Cuesta Re-Entry Scholarships: Our scholarship program was created to assist re-
entry Cuesta students in their pursuit of a college education. Scholarships of $2000 are
awarded annually to students who are at least 25 years old and have attended Cuesta
College for one year or more. This scholarship program is funded by an endowment that
was originally conceived in 1990. Two named scholarships honor Bette Kulp and Fran
Johnson, members who were present at the start of this program and were crucial to its
development.
AAUW SLO Branch Lynn S. Janeway Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was
established in 2022 to support transfer students from local community colleges
continuing their education at Cal Poly who have an interest in advancing gender equity
and higher education opportunities for women. It was renamed in 2023 to honor former
AAUW San Luis Obispo Branch president Lynn S. Janeway, who was passionate about
equity for women and girls. Lynn joined the branch in 1972 and became an Honorary 50
Year Life Member in 2023. Lynn served AAUW as President of the San Luis Obispo
Branch five times, as Central Coast District Director, and as a Board Member and
Program Director for AAUW California. Lynn helped bring the $tart $mart Pay Equity
Workshop to Cal Poly and the Tech Trek STEM camp for Middle School girls to San
Luis Obispo.
San Luis Obispo High School Scholarships: Each year, our AAUW Branch raises
money for ten $500 scholarships for San Luis Obispo High School girls going on to
college. We focus on girls who are not receiving other scholarships and work closely
with the teachers and counselors to select the best candidates. Even though the
amount may seem small, the award of a scholarship helps to inspire the young women
to pursue their educational dreams.
Tech Trek: Tech Trek is a science and math camp designed to develop interest,
excitement and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall.
This one-week summer camp features hands-on activities in astronomy, engineering,
marine biology, robotics, and environmental studies. All Tech Trek camps are located on
a California university campus where our campers live in a dorm setting and explore the
university experience. Our Branch raises the necessary funds and works with middle
school science teachers to select the participants.
Holiday Gift Bags: Each year at the holiday season we collect, sort, and gift wrap
toiletries and small accessories for people in our community who are in need. We
donate over 150 of these “care and comfort” bags to individuals at the Prado Day
Center.
Adopt-A-Poll: During elections, our branch staffs one or more voting precincts.