The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.[1] It was founded in 1882.[2] The organization has a nationwide network of 150,000 members[2], 1,500 branches[2], and 500 college and university partners. It's headquarters is in Washington, DC.
Contents |
It was founded in 1882[2] by Ellen Swallow Richards and Marion Talbot.
Originally known as the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, AAUW assumed its present name in 1921 after merging with the Southern Association of College Women.
The organization funds studies germane to the education of women.[3]In 1919 AAUW raised $156,413 as a grant to enable Marie Curie to purchase one gram of radium for her experiments.[4]
The AAUW Educational Foundation is one of the world's largest sources of funding exclusively for women who have graduated from college.[5] Each year the Foundation provides $3.5 to $4 million in fellowships, grants, and awards for women and for community action projects. The Foundation also funds pioneering research on women, girls, and education.
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF), a program of the Foundation, is the United States' largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination against women in higher education. LAF provides funds and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education. Since 1981, LAF has helped female students, faculty, and administrators challenge sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, pay inequity, denial of tenure and promotion, and inequality in women’s athletics programs.
AAUW sponsors grassroots and advocacy efforts, research, and Campus Action Projects and other educational programs in conjunction with its ongoing programmatic theme, Education as the Gateway to Women's Economic Security.[6] Along with three other organizations, it founded the CTM Madison Family Theatre in 1965. AAUW joined forces with other women's organizations in August 2011 to launch HERVotes[7] to mobilize women voters in 2012 on preserving health and economic rights.[8] In 2011, the AAUW Action Fund launched a initiative to encourage women to vote in the 2012 election. The campaign was aimed to increase the volume and direction of women’s voices.[9]
AAUW's 2011 research report addresses sexual harassment in grades seven through 12.[10]
AAUW's national convention[11] is held biennially. AAUW sponsors a student leadership conference,[12] designed to help women college students access the resources, skills, and networks they need to lead change on campuses and in communities nationwide. The student leadership conference is held annually in Washington, D.C.