History — Charter Members —
Past Presidents — Back to ABOUT US
Branch History: AAUW Fremont established in 1961 and incorporated in 2024, was founded by a group of 13 local teachers. Fremont Branch’s founding members wanted to organize a group that would provide companionship for women with similar interests. The group researched several groups and associations, and decided to join the American Association of University Women and create a local branch. A major factor in the decision was that AAUW was not just a social club but provided an avenue to help others.
The first fundraisers were Christmas parties and dances, with husbands also participating. Another was a musical gala where the Fremont Branch partnered with an art association to showcase the musical talents of local youth. Fremont Branch handled the refreshments and received a share of the profits that were, in turn, donated to address the issues of the times.
In the 1980’s, the branch presented a yearly home tour at the holidays, which raised substantial donations for the Educational Foundation. Successful fundraising events in later years included fashion shows, performing arts events, and an authors’ tea. In recent years, an organized walk, dinners at local restaurants, and the sale of AAUW-themed items have helped to raise program funds.
Raising funds for the Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund as well as for local use, such as college scholarships and science camps, has continued to be a major emphasis for members.
Membership reached a high in the 1980’s, when nearly 300 local women were members of the Fremont Branch. Membership in AAUW dropped off substantially for some time after that, as women found more choices, and less time, for their involvement. A successful effort to revitalize the branch began in 2005.
Interest groups such as book and travel sections were popular from the beginning. The Fremont Branch continues to evolve a variety of new groups to provide members the opportunity to explore common interests. A recent example is provided by the well received “One Book One Community Read” Program launched earlier this year (2008) by the AAUW, the City of Fremont, and several other sponsors.
Continuing programs include a Math/Science Discovery Day for elementary school girls which is held each spring.
Check the calendar section on the site for information on the current year’s programs and fundraisers.
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Fremont Branch Charter Members
These women founded the Fremont Branch of AAUW in 1961:
| Gail Battle | Margaret Loosmore | Eldora Peters |
| Alice Docter | Lavonna Neeman | Marie Roth |
| Jan Gordon | Marian Neeman | Lucille Wood |
| Rita Harig | Betsy McGrath |
Branch Presidents 1988-2014
| Years | Branch President |
| 2024-22 | Phie Dai |
| 2022-20 | Kathy Garfinkle |
| 2020-18 | Kathy McDonald |
| 2018-16 | Elaine Wong-Eakin |
| 2016-15 | Kathy Bray, Steve Cho |
| 2015-14 | Randy Fewel, Kathy Bray, Steve Cho |
| 2014-13 | Marylouise Bailey, Linda Pearson |
| 2013-12 | Elaine Eakin, Randy Fewel, Kathy Garfinkle, Janice Longo, Mary Lynn Pelican, Elin Thomas |
| 2012-11 | Helen Yu, Jo Szeto |
| 2011-10 | Jeanne Delp, RoseMarie Everett, Shirley Gilbert, Carolyn Hedgecock, Sara Hinkel, Jo Szeto |
| 2010-09 | Jeanne Delp, RoseMarie Everett, Kathy Garfinkle, Carolyn Hedgecock, Mary Lynn Pelican |
| 2009-07 | Randy Fewel |
| 2007-05 | Mary Lynn Pelican |
| 2005-04 | Committee |
| 2004-02 | Patricia Bagwell |
| 2002-01 | Miriam Keller & Liz Poe |
| 2001-1999 | Leadership Team |
| 1999-98 | Kathy Bray & Alyson Kieft |
| 1998-97 | K. Alyson |
| 1997-96 | Judy Wolf & K. Alyson |
| 1996-95 | Judy Wolf |
| 1995-94 | Rita Hammer |
| 1994-93 | Erin Snider |
| 1993-92 | Liz Poe & Jan Van de Werfhorst |
| 1992-90 | Miriam Keller |
| 1990-89 | Kathy Garfinkle |
| 1989-88 | Elin Thomas |
| 1988-87 | Harriet Despeaux |
Fremont Branch Presidents 1961-1987
| Years | Branch President |
| 1987-86 | Leslie Graves |
| 1986-85 | Judy Woldin |
| 1985-84 | Dana Cagaanan |
| 1984-83 | JoAnn Houk |
| 1983-82 | Sue Fuller |
| 1982-81 | Genieve Angelides |
| 1981-80 | Joyce Holbrook |
| 1980-79 | Pat Vlastelica |
| 1979-78 | Janice Longo |
| 1978-77 | Carol Tibbits |
| 1977-76 | Claire McDonald |
| 1976-75 | Eleanor Haskell |
| 1975-74 | Pat Cavenaugh |
| 1974-73 | Fran Stone |
| 1973-72 | Ruth Edwards |
| 1972-71 | Joyce Wallace |
| 1971-70 | Robin Nelson |
| 1970-69 | Sherril Spellman |
| 1969-68 | Ruth Peterson |
| 1968-67 | Kathy Himelhoch |
| 1967-66 | Nancy Duggan |
| 1966-65 | Dolores Mueller |
| 1965-64 | Beverly Redgewick |
| 1964-63 | Thelma Barrick |
| 1963-62 | Alice Docter |
| 1962-61 | Lucille Wood |