President's Message

It's been a great five years of service! While it took me a couple of years to understand the rhythm and flow of the AAUW and branch "year," I was very proud that in year 4 of my presidency our branch was recognized as a 5-Star Branch for the first time! What an achievement for all of us! And this year, with so many personal challenges with my dad and mom, I could not have been more blessed and grateful for the many outpourings of condolence for the loss of my dad and good wishes for my mom's recovery, as well as your patience and flexibility with delayed and combined newsletters, etc.

The work of the branch is truly a group effort, and the following individuals stepped up in so many ways this year and in years past:

Gail Wakefield - Membership VP, whose commitment to our branch includes now stepping up to be next year's President and leading us through a possible merger

DD Patrick - Financial VP
Jenny Lapidus - Secretary
Shelly Johnson - Communications, Editing, and All-around Support
Erin Egelkrout - Newsletter Coordinator and Website Manager
Susan Updegrove - Tech Trek Coordinator
Cindy Treichler - Tech Trek Co-Coordinator
Peggy Papathakis - Tech Trek Alumnae Group Coordinator
Diane Howard - Cuesta Scholarship Coordinator and Adopt-A-Poll Wrangler
Esther Pudlo - Dine Out Coordinator
Nancy Page - Brown Bag 'n' Books Coordinator
Patricia Ponce - Sunshine Coordinator & College/University Liaison with Cal Poly
Delfina Medina - College/University Liaison with Cal Poly
Mary Howell - CAPSLO Holiday Gift Bags Coordinator
Sue Fong - Cuesta Scholarship Co-Coordinator
Bette Kulp - Bridge Group Liaison
Diana Kaiser - Bridge Group Liaison

And their titles do not begin to capture the remarkable effort, creative energy, and positive attitude that they bring to their work! Words cannot express my deep and sincere gratitude!

And my gratitude extends to all of our branch members. The very act of being an AAUW member is meaningful and significant. Thank you!

As we look to the future, especially in an election year, it is important use our voices and votes to support our values, the values of AAUW, and our shared commitment to equity for women and girls through education, advocacy, and research. As AAUW members, we recognize that this commitment to equity reaches across all areas of diversity, too: gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, age, religion, ability, and more. We need to elect and support leaders who also hold and support these values and, thus, embody true leadership. With that I mind, let me leave you with this quote by Faye Wattleton, the former President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (1978-1992), who was the youngest, first woman and first African American to hold the position.

“The only safe ship in a storm is leadership.” — Faye Wattleton

Again, thank you!

Debra Valencia-Laver
AAUW SLO Branch President 2021-2026

I was presented with these lovely flowers in a hand-painted and inscribed pitcher, along with a lovely card with many kind messages of thanks! Thank you all!