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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Golden: Frances Sneed now has her 50-year pin from the AAUW.
Public Citizen
University Woman
Frances Sneed marks 50 great years with AAWW
By Moryt Milo
In 1950 when Francis Sneed graduated from UC-Berkeley, she left the university with two interlocking commitments that would shape her future. The first was a teaching degree. The second was a membership in the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
For the next seven years she would weave together her love of teaching in the elementary schools with her involvement in the AAUW. "This was a lifetime commitment for me. All this involvement in education was the love of my life," says Sneed. Now in her mid-70s, the organization has just awarded her its 50-year membership pin.
Sneed retired from teaching in 1957 to start a family. At the same time, she and her husband Bob moved to Campbell. They have been residents of the community for 40 years. She has two daughters: younger daughter Lorraine was a member of Campbell High School's last graduating class in 1980. When her children were young, Sneed was actively involved in their schools, becoming PTA president of Coventry School in the '60s and Castro Middle School in the '70s.
She chuckles, recalling some of the school activities that required parent volunteers, such as Tooth Brushing Days that was sponsored by the dental association. All the children received a toothbrush and "had to go into the nurse's office to brush with this special fluoride toothpaste, which was really disgusting."
All her school volunteering was connected to her work at AAUW, an organization established 150 years ago to lobby and advocate for education and equity among women and girls. Sneed, a member of the San Jose branch, says that in the early years members would meet at different homes. But today, the local office can be find on Minnesota Avenue next to the Willow Glen Library.
Sneed, who was the San Jose branch president in 1977, says that some of the most rewarding experiences with the organization come through their scholarship program. Each year the organization sponsors an essay contest for high school students. Sneed has both proctored and judged the contest. "[The essays] are delightful, ingenious and well-written. When people start talking about how horrible young people are it just raises the hair on your head. These are boys and girls who come up with articulate, beautiful things that are very inspiring."
She's been involved with the program since its infancy and is very proud of what it's become. Going from "one squeaky little scholarship" to what has now turned into an annual event that's promoted in all the local high school English departments. Sneed emphasizes that AAUW has always been about giving young people--and women and girls in particular--an opportunity to further their studies. She also cites the importance of AAUW's work in women's legal advocacy funds and in promoting women's health.
When asked how current membership in the local branch is doing, she expresses excitement about the age diversity, which ranges from recent college graduates to members over 90. "I may be a grandma but I love the young people and I love the young women that are coming into the group."
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Campbell, California
