Dana Cox

2022 Outstanding Volunteer Honoree - Adult Division

In 1979, Dana Cox helped found the Diamond Bar-Walnut charter of the American Association of University Women, a non-profit organization geared toward advancing the education of girls and women. Dana, who was a teacher and mother of young children at the time, wanted to get involved in the community, create an outlet to connect with others, and contribute to society. She found that a community effort would yield the greatest results.

To date, Dana has served in almost every position on the organization’s board, including president.

The AAUW provides scholarships for women in graduate study programs and is aimed towards promoting equity for girls and women. It offers programs like Tech Trek, which allows young girls to participate in a math and science camp to promote their interest in these topics. Currently, the AAUW is undertaking a new program called “Leadership” to encourage women to be more involved in local, state and national politics.

“That’s what I love about [AAUW], I can never give a grant to a young woman to finish her studies, but my contributions, my fundraising, will do that… It’s not just me, it’s everyone together,” she said.

Dana also serves as parliamentarian for the Friends of the Library Board of Directors and, for the past five years, chairwoman of the Friends’ annual signature Wine Soiree fundraiser. She also recently volunteered to be parliamentarian of a local quilt guild. A quilt that Dana helped create will be hung in the Friend’s bookstore to commemorate the organization’s service to the community.

Throughout her time within the community, Cox has met community members who, through their actions, inspire her to be even better. “Meeting these people, that just amaze me and humble me, make me realize that I still need to give,” she said. 

Some of her favorite accomplishments include helping spark passion within the girls involved AAUW’s programs. “The daughter of one of our members went [to Tech Trek] and she went into environmental studies and is doing a lot with that, so that’s very rewarding. 

Dana’s advice to young people interested in getting involved with the community is to simply start off with something that interests them. “Find something that you’re passionate about and find out how you can get involved in that … you’ll find your way.”