SEASIDE – The Seaside branch of the American Association of University Women has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Shari Paredes-Moyer. She will use it to pursue an electrical engineering degree at Portland State University.

Paredes-Moyer worked previously as a semiconductor process engineer before she moved to the North Coast area. She works at Warrenton High School. She was considering going into teaching, but gave that up.

“They (teachers) don’t make any money,” Paredes-Moyer said. With two children to support, that is an important consideration.

Karen Beck, a member of AAUW, said while she wished all seven candidates could have received scholarships, she was most impressed by Paredes-Moyer’s poise and confidence in her application.

AAUW is a national organization that helps with scholarships for women and offers legal assistance to women who face discrimination in the workplace. Women going back for a high school equivalency are eligible for scholarships as well, member Jean Gill said.

The Seaside group holds a conference in September with the Astoria chapter to let women know about educational opportunities, including online possibilities, grants, scholarships and day care. Attendees have one college credit paid for by AAUW.

The state convention at the Seaside Convention Center April 29 through May 1, which celebrated the 100th year of AAUW in Oregon, raised $18,000 for the Legal Advocacy Fund and Educational Foundation, Gill said. They sent that money to national headquarters for distribution.

“It’s a nice way to meet other women who have interests that you have, and then you feel like you’re doing some good work,” Gill said.

A former teacher, Gill said her degree improved her life greatly. “I think it opens a lot of doors for you and gives you self-confidence,” she said. “The more educated you are, the better job you can get.”

Funding for local women is not good, Gill said, but higher education is still possible. “If they really want to, there are resources out there and there’s a lot of help,” she said. She said Clatsop Community College has good options for day care. “I think that community college does a lot to get people back,” she said.

AAUW supports forums to educate the community, such as the U.S. Highway 101 forum March 16, which was notable for the orderly discussion of the divisive highway expansion project. Gill attributed the calm atmosphere to the work of the organizers, especially June Stromberg and Libbie Allen.

The AAUW would welcome new members, Gill said. For more information, she can be reached at 738-6062. Men can join the group, though it is rare. “We don’t discriminate,” Gill said.

Beck manages the fundraising aspect, including a used book sale in the fall, poinsettia sales at Christmas, wine tasting in February and miscellaneous donations. She welcomes donations of any size at 861-2653 or at 33247 Silverspot Lane, Warrenton, OR 97146.