Projects

Expanding Your Horizons

Expanding Your Horizons conferences are nationally affiliated programs for middle school or high school girls with hands-on activities in the math, science, and technology fields. Locally, three Eastside AAUW branches coordinate two conferences at Bellevue Community College, usually in March. Since its beginning in the early 1980's, thousands of young women have enjoyed this special event. Members are encouraged to help on a one-day or on-going basis - no March meeting is scheduled to facilitate this effort; contact the branch EYH chair.

Book Drive

Each spring the Kirkland-Redmond Branch sponsors the collection of "nearly new" children's books for delivery to local women's shelters. The branch cooperates with local elementary schools in this effort and also publicizes the book drive to the community, so that additional books can be dropped off at elementary school collection sites.

Fund-raising

The Kirkland-Redmond Branch raises funds each year for three purposes:

• Educational Foundation (EF):
  Our national AAUW Educational Foundation was established in 1958 to increase AAUW's philanthropic activities and to promote educational opportunities and equity for women and girls through research, fund-raising, and the fellowships and grants programs. Since its inception, the Foundation's support has enabled more than 7,000 women from approximately 120 nations to pursue their personal and professional goals. In 1998-1999, the Foundation awarded $2.8 million to 290 women. Foundation programs include Research & Project Grants, the Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowships, Selected Professions Fellowships, American Fellowships, and International Fellowships.
  
  The Eleanor Roosevelt Fund within the Educational Foundation also funds research into gender equity issues in our schools, including the following studies:
  • The AAUW Report: How Schools Shortchange Girls
  • Hostile Hallways: The AAUW Survey on Sexual Harassment in America's Schools
  • Growing Smart: What's Working for Girls in School
  • Girls in the Middle: Working to succeed in School
  
  Branch Goal: An annual $500 "Named" grant in honor of a branch member.



• AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF): The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, launched in 1981, supports women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education. Programs include case support, a volunteer network of attorneys and social scientists, and the Progress in Equity Award for institutions that advance equity on campus.
  
  Branch Goal: The recommended per capita contribution ($3/member) for "5-Star" branches.
  
  
• Local Scholarships: As a means of supporting AAUW's goals locally and raising visibility of the branch, the Kirkland-Redmond Branch gives a scholarship to a graduating senior woman from the Lake Washington School district for her college needs.
  
  In May, 1999, this scholarship was awarded to Redmond High School senior Lia Thao. While Lia was born in the United States, her ethnic background is Hmong. She performs Hmong dancing at many cultural events, while maintaining good grades and assisting her parents with their floral business. One of five children, she plans to attend Bellevue Community College and eventually obtain a B.A. degree in Business Administration.
  
  Branch Goal: One $400 local scholarship to be awarded annually.

English as a Second Language Conversation Class

Beginning in the fall of 1998, Kirkland-Redmond Branch has sponsored free English as a Second Language conversation classes in partnership with Lake Washington Technical College. The college already has a strong ESL program, but there are often waiting lists and large classes. The AAUW program, which emphasizes personal interaction and life skills, is open to both Lake Washington Technical College students and non-students. The conversation class uses the workbooks entitled Community Life in the USA, which were created under an AAUW Educational Foundation Community Action grant. The Branch expects to continue offering the ESL class as a series of 10 classes two or three times per year. Offered during daytime hours, the exact times and dates vary depending upon the availability of volunteers.

ESL student prepares for class.