If the Panama Canal is on your Bucket List, don’t miss AAUW (American Association of University Women) member Marilyn Saunders’ lively recap of her recent trip through the canal at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Miner’s Roadhouse 140. The event is free and open to the public. Avid travelers and historians are encouraged to attend.

Light refreshments will be served.

Ms. Saunders will captivate you with photos and information about the history of this epic man-made marvel that took 10 years to complete, and changed the world.

In 1880, the French, led by Suez Canal builder Ferdinand de Lesseps, dug 11 of 50 miles needed for a sea level canal, but disease, money and engineering problems forced them to abandon the project. Seizing an opportunity, the U.S. gained control and began working on a lock-based canal in 1904. The U.S. hired thousands to work on the canal when industrialization offered advanced machinery for digging and constructing the giant sets of locks. It took 10 years and over $350 million to complete, with approximately 26,000 lives being lost to malaria and yellow fever during its construction. The Panama Canal finally opened in 1914.
Founded in 1881, AAUW is a national organization dedicated to lifelong learning and advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. The Mariposa branchsupports projects such as Tech Trek, a weeklong science camp, Speech Trek, a high school speech contest and Dinner with a Scientist, an evening at UC Merced for girls interested in scientific careers.

To learn more, visit: www.aauwmariposa.com.