Willamette Institute for Continued Learning - The Salem Branch of the AAUW- Empowering Women and Girls through Education and Equity

"American Association of University Women is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to empower women and girls through education, equity, economic security, research, and leadership. Willamette University became the key to establishing a local Salem Branch, which has a rich history of advocacy in the state of Oregon and in our community. We will share some of the accomplishments of the past century, and some highlighted events planned for the coming year. In coordination with the City of Salem Parks Department and the Stephens-Yoshikai schools in northeast Salem, and the Neighborhood Association, AAUW members have arranged to plant 75 trees and native plants as well as place pathways and benches to enhance this park between schools, It has been a four-year project, and a commitment made to assist the City with their Climate Action Plan. Peggy Shippen earned a BA in Special Ed and an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arizona. During her career she was an investigator for SAIF Corporation in Roseburg; a Personnel Director for Umpqua Community College; an investigator for Montana Human Rights Bureau. Peggy has been a member of AAUW for over 30 years, and has engaged in many leadership roles in Oregon and California. In Salem, she has led the Tree Planting Program and has researched and developed the Volunteers First program. Joyce Zook grew up on a farm in Nebraska and earned her BS in Medical Technology at Hastings, College. She worked in Health Care in the Willamette Valley, specializing in Microbiology, and served asLaboratory Manager at the Oregon State Hospital. She and her husband Tom enjoyed many years as members of WICL. Joyce has been a member of AAUW for about 40 years and has taken a number of leadership roles in the Salem branch and AAUW Oregon."