AAUW Petaluma Branch, women, junior, senior high, girls, education, scholarship

Who We Are

This Petaluma Branch was chartered in 1955 and today has over 150 members with diverse skills and backgrounds. Our members are represented in all fields of endeavor including education, healthcare, science, engineering, insurance, community non-profit agencies, and many more. Additionally, our members are active in numerous leadership roles throughout Petaluma and Southern Sonoma County. Membership in AAUW is a great way to have fun and make life-long friends. We have attended nearly 200 colleges and universities.

AAUW MISSION STATEMENT: AAUW advances equity for women and girls, through advocacy, education and outreach. View this video on the history and mission of AAUW nationwide.

AAUW VISION STATEMENT: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.

What We Do

Annually AAUW Petaluma is involved in numerous activities to promote education and lifelong learning. We do this by:

Funding scholarships for Junior High School girls in Petaluma to Tech Trek, a week long math and science summer camp sponsored by AAUW California.
Encouraging participation in the annual Expanding Your Horizons math and science conference for Junior High School girls in Sonoma County.
Funding a scholarship at Sonoma State University for a local woman returning to school and a Community Achievement Award for an outstanding graduate of a local High School.
Sponsoring fundraisers for the national AAUW Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund.

AAUW Petaluma in coalition with other local organizations coordinates and moderates a successful series of "Candidate Forums" during election years for Petaluma City Council, School Board, Superintendent of schools and other elected positions. We have also worked with the American Lung Association and American Cancer society to conduct educational programs on the dangers of smoking for the local elementary and junior high schools and have most recently joined with others to promote adoption of a ‘nuisance ordinance’ with the aim of reducing teen binge drinking and the serving of alcohol to underage and intoxicated persons.

We hold a minimum of six meetings each year highlighting topics of general interest and sponsor multiple sections of more specific interest to individual members. The public is invited to many of our general meetings. See Programs and Sections.

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