In 1881, seventeen of America’s first female university graduates met and
created an organization to expand women’s opportunities in higher education
and in the workplace. The first branch
was formed in 1884 in Washington, D.C. The organization has expanded and evolved,
formally taking the name, AAUW, in 1921.
Early initiatives included research to debunk the notion that higher
education impairs women’s health, the promotion of legislation to further educational
opportunities for women and girls, and reports on pay equity issues. Over the years, AAUW has advocated for such
issues as the appointment of women to the diplomatic service, and has
supported the passage of such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act
and the Voting Rights Act.
Funds raised by AAUW members have supported such noteworthy women as
Marie Curie who received $156,413.00 in 1920 toward the purchase of one gram
of radium. Astronaut Judith Resnick
received an AAUW Educational Foundation fellowship in 1975. The following year Donna Shalala, former
secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, received the
AAUW Recognition Award for Emerging Scholars.
In the 21st century, the American Association
of University Women continues to be a national organization that promotes
education and equity for all women and girls.
AAUW is composed of three corporations:
·
The Association, a greater than 100,000-member
organization with more than 1,300 branches nationwide that lobbies and
advocates for education and equity.
·
The AAUW Educational Foundation, which funds
pioneering research on girls and education, community action projects, and
fellowships and grants for outstanding women around the globe.
·
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, which provides
funds and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex
discrimination in higher education.
Fox Chapel Area Branch:
This local branch of AAUW was founded in 1958 and is one of fifty-seven
branches in the state of Pennsylvania.
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