AAUW Tustin Santa Ana Orange branch has been named a 5 Star Branch!
This distinction reflects exemplary leadership and impact across Advancement, Public Policy & Advocacy, Governance & Sustainability, Programming, and Communications & External Relations.
We were recognized for our mission-aligned, sustainable work that strengthens our community and AAUW nationwide.
Please go to the Program page to get the directions for our meeting place
Hello Everyone:
As we begin the new year, we continue with our outreach and community efforts. The Tustin-Santa Ana-Orange branch will partner with the other four Orange County branches to staff a table at the Great American Write-in on March 14, from 9:30 to 1:30 at the Delhi Center in Santa Ana. The GAW will have many organizations advocating for issues related to their specific areas of interest. We will have a printed postcard to advocate for AAUW priorities. Attendees can add a personal note to our local, state, and federal legislators. We will need a couple of volunteers to help set up, staff, and take down our table. Please let me know if you are available to assist. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
We are also collaborating with the Tustin Community Foundation to support the Sip & Stroll event in Old Town Tustin on February 28. Our work will be done before the event so our members can enjoy shopping and the event.
Mark your calendar for the AAUW-CA Annual event on the morning of April 18. Please take the time to review the newsletter, as it contains considerable information about upcoming AAUW events you won’t want to miss.
Thank you for all you do to make our AAUW branch a success!
Rebecca “Beckie” Gomez, PhD
President, AAUW TSAO
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AAUW FUNDS ACTIVITY!
SAVE THE DATE – MARCH 7, 2026, 12:30 – 4:30.
We’ll attend the Zonta Club of Newport Harbor Film Festival, held at Chapman University’s Marion Knott Studio, 283 N Cypress St, Orange, CA 92866.
ZONTA CLUB OF NEWPORT HARBOR, a member of ZONTA International, shares the AAUW purpose of creating equality and opportunity for women. They invite AAUW TSAO to stand as a beneficiary in the upcoming Annual Film Festival. Funds raised will support these two stated philanthropies, and all published information will cite that all contributions support:
• Scholarships for Women in Film (ZONTA CLUB OF NEWPORT HARBOR)
• AAUW Fund and Tech Trek on behalf of AAUW TSAO
ZCNH held, first, the Luna Fest, sponsored by Luna Bar Company, and now the ZCNH Film Festival, for over 15 years. The Luna Bar Company ceased offering the Luna Fest in 2021, and in 2022, ZCNH decided to give it a try – create a Film Festival in partnership with Chapman’s Dodge School of Film. In 2024, ZCNH decided to name a philanthropy as a beneficiary – they’ve included Laura’s House and Working Wardrobes, and now, AAUW TSAO. In 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, the Film Festival offered 4 scholarships to Chapman University women in film, to assist in the costs of their Capstone projects or Master’s Degree projects, and separately, donated funds to a named philanthropy. The 2026 philanthropy is AAUW TSAO.
The afternoon, held in the Chapman University’s Dodge School’s Marion Knott Studio, offers appetizers, a no-host bar, a wine pull, a silent auction with the chance to bid on displayed gift collections – usually about 20 gifts; and a super prize opportunity drawing – last year’s super prize was lodging for a week’s trip to Hawaii. You’ll watch four films that each discuss a topic about women; written, produced, filmed and acted by women; and enjoy presentations byfilmmakers, and an interview with a highlighted director.
Attendance Tickets: $50 per person Early Bird/ through February 20, $60 per person later. Opportunity Drawing Tickets: 1 ticket $50 / 3 tickets $100
Biddable Gift Collections: a silent auction, a wine pull, and a grand prize drawing (item yet to be determined).
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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) empowers women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and 800 college and university partners. Since AAUW’s founding in 1881, our members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.
AAUW’s Mission
AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
AAUW’s Value Promise
By joining AAUW, you belong to a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women and girls have a fair chance.
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