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 23,045), Riverbank (population 25,001) and Escalon (population 7,246). 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
Celebrating 27 Years of Tech Trek, Thursday, October 13, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
221! That’s the number of girls our ORE Branch has sent to Tech Trek since it’s founding twenty-seven years ago in 1998! Come celebrate this accomplishment when we gather at Marsha Love’s home to greet and visit with several past and current Tech Trekkers including Quinn Gagos, McKenzie Mote, and Esmeralda Salcedo.
Tech Trekkers experiencing waves on a past field trip sponsored by our Branch
Zoe Kilkenny, one of our Tech Trek directors along with Clydora Hippler and Teri Curtis recently caught up with these exceptional young alums and offers us this preview.
Quinn attended Tech Trek in 2010. Last January she spoke to the branch about the non-profit organization, Earthians Care, which she founded in 2008 – two years before she went to Tech Trek! Earthians Care is an on-line newsletter focused on environmental issues. Its contributors have to be younger than twenty-six years old, at which time they graduate to become mentors.
In 2011, Zoe was on the Tech Trek interview committee, which selected Esmeralda Salcedo. She recalls Esmeralda attending the reunion parties, and telling her that she liked serving as a role model for those, who like herself, didn’t immediately choose the college path. Now, however, she recently completed her teaching degree and this fall started teaching Physical Education in Kelseyville.
The third young woman, who was molded by her Tech Trek experience is McKenzie Mote, class of 2018. She was a junior counselor in 2021 when the camp went virtual on Zoom, because of the COVID shutdown; and in 2024 she served as a camp counselor in person. Zoe remembers her as a shy young thing when she interviewed, and states “My how she has blossomed!”
Mote is currently going to school for Social/Behavioral Sciences. She states, “I want to work with other children who have experienced trauma such as me. My passion is children and I love watching littles develop. I am also in the process of getting my EMT License; I graduated EMT school at MJC in December 2023! I love emergency medicine as well. Just anything that makes an impact on people’s lives. I have learned so much from Tech Trek! I have grown from a very soft-spoken, shy girl to a very outspoken, confident woman; and I give most of the credit to Tech Trek for showing me I can achieve so much at such a young age.”
We’re inviting several organizations to attend the celebration to find out why they might want to make a financial contribution to Tech Trek – this endeavor that Zoe says for her is the heart and soul of AAUW.
You don’t want to miss this party. Be sure to reply yes when you get the reminder of the meeting. Socializing begins at 6:00 P.M. followed by our meeting and celebration.
Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon Branch Leaders
2025-2027 ORE Officers: Leah Silvestre Franklin, President; Mary Wolgamot, Co-Secretary; Sharon Hawley Crum, Treasurer; Diane Korupp, Co-Secretary
Meetings are open to members, guests and prospective members. Individuals wanting more information about meetings, locations, or about AAUW’s mission can email membership director, Gail Marganelli at gmarganelli@att.net .