The annual DAW Branch Installation and Member Appreciation event was held on June 5, 2025. About 40 members and guests enjoyed a tasty Mexican dinner while celebrating the branch’s achievements in 2024-25 and the outstanding members who made it all possible. Several of this year’s Local Scholarship recipients were on hand to speak about their plans and how our scholarships will help them. Click here to learn more about the 2025 Local Scholarship awardees.
The outgoing board and branch committee members who were all instrumental in making the past year’s activities successful were recognized for their service. Many board members will continue with their roles in the coming year and the full incoming board was recognized as they pledged their support to the branch. Click here to see the DAW Board’s roster.
We anticipate many more accomplishments in the new 2025-26 year with able direction from the incoming board and all the many active, engaged DAW branch members.
Highlights of 2024-2025
Programs – We held informational programs over a wide range of topics related to AAUW’s mission of promoting equity and supporting quality education in our area. Besides arranging events on our own, we partnered with AAUW branches from San Ramon, Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette, and Livermore-Pleasanton-Dublin, and local PTA councils on several of the programs. Thanks to Program Co-VPs Monika Witte and Ogie Strogatz!
Local Scholarships – We awarded 11 scholarships of $2,000 each to local women; seven were Community Scholarships, three were CSU East Bay Renaissance Scholarships, and one was a Diablo Valley College Single Parent Scholarship. In addition, one awardee received an additional $1,000 for the Creative Endeavors Scholarship. Thanks to Local Scholarship Co-Chairs Ann Willoughby and Holly Sauer!
Tech Trek – We sponsored 14 7th grade girls to attend Tech Trek, the AAUW STEM summer camp. Thanks to Tech Trek Co-Chairs Lee Garverick and Kate Waters!
Public Policy/Advocacy – We represented AAUW’s values at all the San Ramon Valley School Board meetings over the past year. There were five to 15 DAW members at each meeting and with one of them spoke for the branch at most meetings. Because of this on-going advocacy related to the California School Board Project, we received a 2nd place award for Branch Activity of the Year (shared with the OML branch) from AAUW California. Thanks to Public Policy Chair Laurinda Ochoa and DEI Officer Ogie Strogatz!
Fundraising – We held our 23rd Garden Tour over the Friday and Saturday before Mother’s Day featuring six beautiful, varied gardens. The tour netted roughly $24,000 that will go toward branch projects in 2025-26. Thanks to Garden Tour Chair Anne Struthers!
Honoring DAW Members
We are proud that three of our branch members have been with AAUW for 50 years and are now recognized as Honorary Life Members. They are:
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- Jan Geahry
- Millie Lindsay
- Therese O’Meara
As part of the AAUW Fund program, four branch members were recognized as AAUW Fund Honorees for their outstanding work on behalf of our branch and in support of the AAUW mission. With their enthusiasm and energy, they’ve worked well beyond their basic role descriptions to help the branch over the past year. They are:
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- Laurinda Ochoa
- Ogie Strogatz
- Ann Willoughby
- Monika Witte