The Morgan Hill Branch of the American Association of University Women was chartered on December 7, 1981, with 41 members.

We will celebrate our 40^th anniversary on December 5, 2021. Save the date!

Five years ago, Carol O’Hare and Carol Holzgrafe conducted interviews with the eight charter members who had maintained their branch membership for 35 years (and still belong today). Read stories from four of these members below; the remaining four stories will be included in the next issue of our newsletter

Barbara Cate, Co-Founder of AAUW Morgan Hill Branch

Barbara Cate founded the Morgan Hill Branch with Irene Blaine in 1981 and was its first president. “It was a fun time and gave me a raison d’etre,” she states about starting the branch. “It was a labor of love. I have only good memories.”

Marilyn Gadway, Founder of the Wildflower Run

In 1984 Marilyn Gadway was searching for a way to raise funds for AAUW fellowships and came up with the idea of a run for women and girls. Now the Wildflower Run is in its 33^rd year. She says, “I had no idea that the Run would last so long.”

Nancy Foster, Charter Member

“AAUW is a wonderful organization for women to expand their relationships, to increase and use their leadership abilities and to explore their talents with other women. I especially have enjoyed my experiences with interest groups that encouraged greater friendships.”

Nancy and Bob Foster came to Morgan Hill for a “one year trial” in 1965 — and never left.

Judy Garrett, Charter Member

“AAUW is very important. It encourages women and girls to be educated. . . It means friendships. I’ve met a lot of great women.”

Judy [Sachtleben] Garrett believes that her education kept her out of poverty and gave her power.

By Carol O’Hare, Branch Historian/Archivist