We are delighted to share the wonderful news that our branch was awarded First Prize in the 2026 Branch Activity of the Year (BAY) Award from AAUW California. Celebrating our Young Women Leaders (YWL), Building the Next Generation Through a Student-Led Leadership Program, an initiative that began in 2018 and continues to make an impact. 

The application focused on the 2025 YWL Youth Leadership Conference, All the Places You Will Go, mentored by advisors Bobbie Erb and Carol Ferri who shared their time, knowledge, and wisdom—guided, encouraged and then stepped back so YWL student leaders could lead with confidence. Workshops included Learning About Your Core Values, Aerospace Engineering, A Path to Social Justice, Money Smarts, Believe. Overcome. Lead. Determine., and Climate Advocacy. This spirit of mentorship, reflected in many devoted advisors over the years, is at the heart of the program’s strength and impact.

At its core, YWL is a student-led, mentor-supported program that helps young women grow into confident, thoughtful leaders. Through monthly meetings, hands-on experiences, and the annual conference, participants learn by doing—exploring ideas, collaborating, and discovering their voices. What begins as participation often grows into leadership and into something more lasting.

We are deeply grateful to our partners, organizations, adult leaders, and volunteers who make it all possible.

The award was announced and the video premiered at the AAUW California online annual event on April 18, 2026. Members celebrated together at a watch party at the home of Suman Ganapathy, who led the submission and created the video. Seventeen other California branches also submitted activities in the competition.