Socorro Branch

    

    
Founded in 1949

 

  

  

    
    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    

    

    
    
    
History of the Socorro 
    Branch of 

     AAUW 

	

	The first meeting of the Socorro branch of AAUW was held in September 1949 
	with twenty charter members. Over the years topics of personal, local, 
	state, national and international concern have been covered. Many local 
	projects were also initiated, such as a story hour for children at the 
	Socorro Public Library. 

	

	

	1957 saw the first awards of the Margaret McCulloch Scholarship, named for 
	one of the original members.  Besides her efforts to help establish the 
	Socorro AAUW in 1949, Margaret was a public health and school nurse and 
	tirelessly served the community.

	
 

	

	These scholarships honoring the highest scholar in the senior class at 
	Socorro High School are still awarded today.  In 2003 this scholarship 
	award was renamed to honor Betty Clark.

	

	 

	
Over the years there have been a 
	variety of money raising activities.  For many years an annual rummage 
	sale was held in August and the Visitas de Navidad (holiday home tour) began 
	in 1968. Both events have raised generous funds for scholarship awards. 
	

	
 

	
Beginning with the 1950's, the 
	Socorro branch has hosted state events such as  the State Convention, 
	and most recently the State Fall Workshop in October 2004. 

	
 

	
Among the many events hosted by 
	AAUW have been teas and career days at the high school and junior high 
	stressing further education; essay contests; sponsorship of art exhibits; 
	youth concerts; and local and state political candidate forums. The AAUW 
	Book Club was organized in 1963 and still meets regularly today.  

	
 

	
A survey of the needs of older 
	citizens in 1965 eventually resulted in Socorro's Good Samaritan Village. 
	Also in 1965 the NM Tech Scholarship for Women was established. 

	

	 

	

	A local woman, Laurel Wilkening was awarded an AAUW National fellowship in 
	1970. Laurel earned a PhD. in Cosmochemistry and went on to become the 
	Chancellor of U.C. Irvine. Since 1982 the branch has donated funds to the 
	AAUW Educational Foundation for a named gift in her honor.

	

	 

	

	Current Interest Groups:  Book Club, Singers, Recorder Group, and Great 
	Decisions Discussion Group.

	
 

    
 

  

  

    
    

    Contact Information

    Email: aauw@nmt.edu