By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Two Virtual Programs On AAUW’s February Calendar
Cabaj
Scheduled to present a virtual program for the local AAUW branch on Wednesday, Feb. 16 is Stacey Cabaj, an award winning actress, performance pedagogy specialist and 2021-22 AAUW California Fellow/Grant recipient. Photo Contributed

American Association of University Women (AAUW), Oakdale Riverbank Escalon Branch members and prospective members can double dip in February. At the Branch’s regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., two local chroniclers of the homeless population will share stories about several people from this community. Richard Anderson taught microbiology at Modesto Junior College and Columbia College for many years; Eric Caine taught English and Critical Thinking at Merced College. Leaving the world of “Ivory Tower academia” as Anderson called it the two became involved in community issues and concerns, one of which was homelessness. Several years ago they, along with Leng Power and Frank Ploof teamed up to make an hour-long documentary, Homeless in Modesto. At the AAUW presentation Dr. Anderson will share the story of two homeless meth “tweakers” who were rescued through their own determination and the help they received from many others at the Modesto Outdoor Emergency Shelter (MOES). Caine, who now covers a myriad of area issues in his blog “The Valley Citizen”, will provide a counterbalance focusing on some folks who are more chronically homeless, more resistant to rehabilitation because of the difficulty of extracting themselves from being homeless and drug addicted.

Then on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m., Stacey Cabaj, an award winning actress, performance pedagogy specialist and 2021-22 AAUW California Fellow/Grant recipient, will discuss her current research project with the branch members. Professor Cabaj’s topic is “The Sound of Touch.” She asks “What does it feel like to be you in the 2020’s? How has your relationship to touch changed?” She explores these questions through the lens of a theatre professor and investigates tools for technological synesthesia and their application in theatre education. In less academic language, the questions she is trying to answer are:

What does meaningful and compelling storytelling look/sound/feel like in 2022?

What are, and how do we support, the needs of our next generation of creative professionals?

How do we best teach about learning and learn about teaching?

Cabaj is an arts leader and theatre pedagogy specialist. She is currently an American Fellow in AAUW, and Assistant Professor of Acting and Pedagogy at Loyola Marymount University. She is the co-author of a forthcoming book, Lessons from our Students: Meditations on Theatre Pedagogy.

Both of these presentations will be held on Zoom. To attend Anderson and Caine’s discussion on Feb. 10, prospective members may call (209) 847-0271; to hear Cabaj’s talk on Feb. 16, they may send a request to the registrar at gmarganelli@att.net.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Its nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university members. Graduates holding an associates or higher degree from an institution of the AAUW list of qualified institutions and persons holding an honorary degree are eligible for membership in AAUW. Learn more at www.aauw.org. Branch information is at http://ore-ca.aauw.net or by emailing the branch at AAUW.ORE@gmail.com.