AAUW marks centennial of women’s suffrage

The program for the American Assn. of University Women Literary Luncheon on Saturday at the Surf & Sand Resort will include information on women’s suffrage.

Money raised at the luncheon will help fund AAUW programs that help advance equality for women and girls in school and in the workplace.

Funding includes sending two Thurston Middle School students to science camps annually, as well as presenting scholarships to graduating Laguna Beach High School girls and women returning to higher education.

AAUW has been advocating for women since 1881, before women were allowed to vote just 100 years ago.

Luncheon Chairwoman Kimberly Salter wrote the text on the centennial for the program. Salter, a past president of California National Organization for Women, is a co-chairwoman of the California Women Suffrage Centennial. The program will also include the centennial website, https://www.ca2011centennial.com.

The centennial will be celebrated Oct. 9 and 10 in Sacramento, Salter said, adding that there are discussions underway about local activities.

Local organizations that might participate include the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club, the AAUW and the Laguna Chapter of the League of Women Voters.

“We are trying to get all Laguna women’s organization involved,” said Salter, who returned this week from Sacramento, where she attended a kickoff for Women’s History Month and the centennial.

For more information, e-mail kimsalter@cox.net or call (949) 230-1169.