Scheduled for Saturday, April 11, members and guests of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon (ORE) Branch will gather to hear Lisa McDermott, Executive Director of the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock speak not only about the role of women in the arts but how women are changing the very essence of the art world. McDermott has been an active member of the region’s arts community for more than 25 years. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Art History from Boston University and taught Art Appreciation there and also closer to home at Modesto Junior College and the Carnegie Arts Center (CAC). In 2001 she returned to her hometown, Turlock, to serve as the Community Arts Facilitator at the CAC. Since 2014 she has served as its Executive Director.
Also coming up on Saturday, May 2, the AAUW ORE Branch will hold its last program meeting until autumn by celebrating the year’s accomplishments, installing officers for next year, bestowing its Named Gift Honorees Award on two members who have gone above and beyond serving the organization this year, and recognize its two scholarship recipients. Each year the Branch chooses two former Tech Trek Camp attendees to receive a college scholarship. Recipients this year are Jocelin Cerceda, a senior at Oakdale High School and Daniela Duarte, a senior at Escalon High School. Cerceda has been accepted at Stanislaus State where she plans to major in Liberal Studies. Duarte has been accepted at UC Merced and plans to major in Biological Science.
Both meetings will start at 10 a.m. in a member’s home and are open to members, guests and those interested in possibly joining the organization. Light refreshments will be served at the April 11 meeting; brunch or lunch will be on tap at the May 2 meeting. Individuals interested in attending or who want more information about the meetings or AAUW’s mission are asked to RSVP by emailing membership director, Gail Marganelli at gmarganelli@att.net.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. The 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. Learn more at www.aauw.org.
Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon Branch information is at http://ore-ca.aauw.net. 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.
