In October 2026, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Thousand Oaks branch marked its 60th anniversary, a milestone that reflects six decades of service to women and girls in the Conejo Valley. As the current president of the local branch, Narda Fargotstein thanked volunteers who have tirelessly funded scholarships for high school and community‑college students since the organization’s founding in 1966.
Local scholarships and STEM opportunities
Since its inception, the Thousand Oaks branch has provided scholarships that help women pursue higher education and professional degrees. In addition to local awards, the branch contributes to AAUW National scholarships that support women earning doctorates. A signature program for younger students began in 2005: rising eighth‑grade girls are sent to Tech Trek, a one‑week summer STEM camp at the University of California, Santa Barbara, giving them early exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Historical advocacy achievements
AAUW’s national advocacy dates back to 1881 and includes landmark victories that have benefited women across the country. The organization helped finance Marie Curie’s purchase of one gram of radium for her pioneering research and supported astronaut Judith Resnik, the second woman to travel in space. Legislative successes championed by AAUW include the Equal Pay Act (proposed 1945, passed 1963), Title IX (1972), the Family and Medical Leave Act (1993), and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009), which is currently awaiting Senate action.
Local impact in Thousand Oaks
The branch’s influence is evident throughout Thousand Oaks. Two years after the city’s incorporation, founder Marilyn Carpenter served two terms as a Thousand Oaks planning commissioner and one term on the Ventura County planning commission. She also helped draft the city’s original General Plan, advocating for the preservation of open space and the protection of the iconic oak trees that give the city its name.
Preserving history and looking ahead
AAUW’s archival records are accessible online through the ArchivesSpace Public Interface under “American Association of University Women records.” The organization’s Profiles of Women Past & Present – AAUW Women’s History Monologues are available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary, the branch established the AAUW Thousand Oaks Education & Empowerment Fund at the Ventura County Community Foundation. Contributions to the fund are tax‑deductible and support the continued provision of scholarships and educational programs for the next generation of women in the Conejo Valley.
Join the next 60 years
Community members are invited to support the organization’s mission and help ensure that women and girls in Thousand Oaks continue to have access to educational opportunities, career advancement, and a voice in public policy. As the branch looks forward to its next six decades, it remains committed to the core values of education, empowerment, and advocacy that have defined its work since 1966.
Original reporting: Thousand Oaks Acorn — read the source article.
