About Assn

The American Association of University Women

What is AAUW?

AAUW is a national organization of more than 100,000 college graduates which promotes equity for all women and girls, life-long education, and positive societal change. Membership is open to all graduates who hold a associate's or higher degree from an accredited college or university. Student-affiliate status in AAUW is available for anyone now studying for a bachelor's degree at a qualified institution. Until graduating with that degree, a student-affiliate may participate in all AAUW activities except for holding office or voting.

AAUW is the oldest and largest national organization working for equity and the advancement of women through education.

The Association

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At the national level, the Association provides legislative influence and guidance to capitol hill and a framework to support state and local activities. Fellowships and grants to promote educational opportunities for women are available though the AAUW Educational Foundation. Funds for women fighting discrimination in higher education are available though the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund.

AAUW Educational Foundation
The Educational Foundation is the "heart of AAUW." Moneys raised by branches support fellowships for advanced study and research grants. The Educational Foundation awards over $2.5 million each year to women for graduate education, community projects and international academic exchange.
AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund
The Legal Advocacy Fund provides funds to women who are in higher education and need to legally contest discrimination and harassment. Such litigation is very costly. Not only does AAUW assist these women by providing them with funds, but we provide them moral support, which is often sorely lacking in today's society.
Voter Education Campaign
The 1994 elections brought into office a Congress that threatens to devastate every initiative that AAUW has worked on for decades. Responding to this new political climate, AAUW launched the AAUW Voter Education Campaign. The campaign uses a nationwide Get the Facts fax and e-mail network to educate women voters, mobilize the grassroots, launch organized get-out-the-vote drives, and get more women to the polls in 1996. To expand our reach, working with the Council of Presidents, AAUW has built a nonpartisan, issue-based coalition, the Women's Network for Change.
Research

Through widely respected research, the AAUW Educational Foundation and the Association have drawn national attention to the problems girls face in school and the problems women face in the workplace. Since 1992, almost 20 research publications have been released.

California AAUW

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At the state level, AAUW provides legislative support and guidance to state lawmaking bodies. California AAUW was launched in San Francisco in 1886 and began lobbying immediately. With 30,000 members and over 175 branches, CA AAUW is a strong and meaningful force within the Association. Membership from our state represents over 20 percent of the national total.

Local Branches

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AAUW has a grassroots network of 1,600 branches nationwide. Our local branches offer an individual flavor, as each branch is unique, tailored by the interests and concerns of its members. Local branches provide immediate implementation of AAUW's goals of equity for women, education and self-development over the life span and positive societal change by training women to be leaders, offering educational experiences and promoting projects which aid the local community. Friendships formed in AAUW tend to be life-long, based on common values, education, and working towards common goals.

The Association website has a list of local branches.