The Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon Branch (ORE), founded in 1962, is committed to the educational, cultural and environmental improvement of our area as well as our world. We offer thought-provoking programs, varied interest groups and the opportunity to socialize with a diverse group of educated, interesting women. We share a common commitment to continued learning, women’s issues and community betterment. Our common mission in AAUW is to break through barriers for women and girls. Our branch’s primary function is to support and mentor young girls from our community, beginning in junior high with Tech Trek and continuing through high school and college.
Our membership base draws from the three Central Valley towns – Oakdale (population 22,936), Riverbank (population 24,482) and Escalon (population 13,657). There are no barriers to membership based on gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. We are privileged to share membership in the National AAUW and the California AAUW communities.
Current Events – 2025
2024 -2026 officers – Leah Silvestre Franklin, Co-President; Sharon Hawley-Crum, Treasurer; Carolyn O’Neal, Secretary; (not pictured, Mary Wolgamot, Co-President)
Tech Trek Alum Quinn Gagos Founder of Earthians Care: Thursday, January 16, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Big problems can make you feel small. I felt that deeply when I started paying attention to climate change conversations at the age of 11. But there was one thing that made me not feel so small – Knowledge. And one way that as a child I could take action was to share knowledge . – Quinn Gagos
Quinn Gagos, Earthian Cares Founder
Tech Trek alum, class of 2010, Quinn Gagos, is delighted that we have invited her to speak to us this month and to have the opportunity to share how in 2008 at the age of eleven years old she and Megan Rivera of Oakdale were motivated to start the organization, which Gagos now spends the majority of her time operating – Earthians Care.
Earthians Care is an organization dedicated to fostering an informed, environmentally-aware society. Through their two-pronged approach, they strive to educate both their youth volunteers and the global community. Inspired to share their love and curiosity for Earth and nature, Quinn and Megan aspired to create a resource for reliable environmental advocacy and nurturing through a positive lens. Since then, Earthians Care has expanded its mission to provide mentorship and a platform for middle school to college aged youth to develop key information dissemination skills. The youth volunteers’ work culminates into online newsletters and social media content. Volunteers live all over the world and come from a wide array of backgrounds, which lends to a dynamic variety of researched content.
After graduating from Oakdale High School in 2015, Gagos received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in Dance and Art History from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She then returned to Oakdale where she has spent her time working in nonprofit arts, pursuing creative outlets, and volunteering – all areas of life that have been important to her from a young age.
Ms. Gagos says: “Tech Trek was an empowering experience for me. I am grateful to AAUW for providing such an incredible program and the network it continues to build in my life.” She also wants us to know that we can join the Earthians Care Community by becoming a team member, reading their bimonthly newsletters, following them on Facebook and Instagram, and supporting Earthians Care Scholarships. All things Earthian can be found at www.EarthiansCare.com.
We’ll gather at 6:00 P.M. in the multipurpose room at the Escalon Branch Library, 1540 Second Street, Escalon, CA for refreshments and a short business meeting followed by Quinn Gagos’s talk.
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS and PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS!
Individuals wishing to learn more about the program, AAUW or our ORE Branch can email our Membership Director, Gail M. at gmarganelli@att.net for information.