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University Women celebrate 50 years
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The American Association of University Women has been supporting educational opportunities and equity for women and girls for the past 50 years.  
The Turlock Branch of AAUW was chartered in 1959, after breaking away from the Modesto branch. Members enjoy a variety of activities while supporting local women and girls by offering scholarships and sending local girls to Tech Trek camp.
“We are a very vibrant organization that makes a difference in Turlock,” said Marie Slate, vice president of the Turlock AAUW.  
AAUW is about raising money to help women pursue education further, Slate said. The Turlock AAUW typically raises about $3,000 a year for scholarships, said Valerie Doherty, president of the Turlock AAUW. They give out about six scholarships a year, four of which are for high school seniors, and two scholarships for junior high students to attend the Tech Trek program in Fresno.  
“We try to raise as much as we can every year for scholarships to benefit women in education,” Doherty said.      
When they aren’t busy raising money to help others, they have different activities throughout each month to better educate themselves. In October, they will have a luncheon with a guest speaker talking about breast cancer, Doherty said. In January, they will have a guest speaker about holistic medicine. And in February, they plan on having a meeting with the educational foundation to give away a scholarship. All AAUW meetings are open to the public.  
“Our programs are designed to educate our members and the public,” Doherty said.  
To be a member of the Turlock AAUW, the requirement is to at least have an associate’s degree, Slate said. The member can be a man or a woman of any age. Currently, there are about 60 members. The age group runs from 20 years old to 80 years old.
Additionally, the Modesto AAUW just joined the Turlock AAUW. There is also an AAUW organization in Escalon and Riverbank.  
“This is a stimulating, interesting and charitable organization,” Slate said.  “We welcome anyone to join.”  
To contact Maegan Martens, e-mail mmartens@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.