What We Do
Through its 22 local branches, AAUW NYS supports statewide initiatives for women and girls at every stage of life. From awarding scholarships to hosting leadership training, equity forums, and skill-building workshops, AAUW NYS works to break down barriers and open doors. Members advocate for fair pay, inclusive workplaces, and policies that improve the lives of women and families.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a national, non-partisan, grassroots organization promoting equity and education for women and girls since 1881.
AAUW New York State is a vibrant community of changemakers dedicated to creating a world where every woman can reach her full potential. The NYS chapter of AAUW brings together members from across the state to champion equity in education, leadership, and economic opportunity.
Who We Are
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a national, non-partisan, grassroots organization promoting equity and education for women and girls since 1881.AAUW New York State is a vibrant community of changemakers dedicated to creating a world where every woman can reach her full potential. The NYS chapter of AAUW brings together members from across the state to champion equity in education, leadership, and economic opportunity.
Mission
Gender Equity and Economic Security.
Values
Intersectional. Inclusive.
Intergenerational. Empowering.
Focus
Economic Security, Education, Advocacy.
AAUW History
The Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA) was founded in 1881 in Boston by Marion Talbot who saw women college graduates drawn together in a great body for “the advancement of human folk.” Their first project was to disprove the commonly held belief espoused by Dr. Clarke that education seriously affected a woman’s ability to have children. Their research refuted the idea.
Within two years there were 320 members. Groups were organized across the country. State Divisions were developed for closer contact between branches enabling them to communicate problems that called for action. In 1920 the ACA branches here formed the NYS Division. In 1921, due in part to the availability of the telephone, many alumnae associations, college women’s group and college clubs felt the need to be joined into one national organization. When ACA and the others merged to form AAUW, we automatically became a part of the new organization.
The Twenties: Not Quite a Roar
Education standards were the main thrust. A loss of members nationwide called for new policies and methods. Marie Curie spoke at the Buffalo Branch as NYS raised money to help her buy a gram of radium. The Mohawk Valley Branch hosted the first official State Convention in 1928.
The Thirties: We Were Far from Depressed
Study Group programs were begun in 1931. It was recommended that the topic International Relations be included. The first Legislative Program (now called Public Policy) featured educational funding, consumer interest and opposition to legislation that discriminated against women.
We supported bills for establishing a state university system, state aid to libraries and state aid for public schools, the money to be spent only on public schools. 100% of the branches contributed to the Million Dollar Fellowship project. Branches aided university women refugees escaping the war.
The Forties: Life Begins at…
The Fifties: A Furious Pace
Fall Area Conferences, similar to those we attend today, were started in 1953. Branches focused on the United Nations. Efforts were made to place women in elected and appointed offices.
NYS supported the Civil Rights Bill. Branch programs were improved by focusing on four topics that evolved from member determined Emerging Issues. The topics were changed every two years. A two year statewide project, The Mature Woman and her Educational Needs, started in 1966.
The Sixties: Zooming Ahead
The Seventies: Women on the Move
Juvenile Justice was a state project. Issues of concern were: Status of Women, Education, Social Issues, and New Organizational Patterns. Workshops in Developing Effectiveness (WIDE) were started to help branches and members. NYS had 9,375 members in 73 branches.
The Educational Foundation established the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund for Women and Girls in 1988 to foster equitable education for girls-- especially in science and math-- through research initiatives and teacher fellowships.
AAUW’s 1975–76 American Fellow Judith Resnik made history by becoming the second female astronaut in space. After she perished in the 1986 Challenger tragedy, AAUW members raised $235,000 to fund the Judith Resnik American Fellowship endowment.
The Eighties: Making a Difference
The Nineties: Taking the Initiative
Diversity of membership and a heightened awareness of “otherness” were strongly promoted. Education and Equity became a prime action for NYS. AAUW became a major national force with the Education Foundation publication of Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America and 8 subsequent reports. Sister-to-Sister Girls Summits were held across the state. A Voter Education Director was appointed in 1996.
AAUW NYS Branch Archives
AAUW-NYS: Housed in the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections of the Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester
Albany Branch: SUNY Albany
Buffalo Branch: University at Buffalo Archives
Garden City Branch: Housed in the Adelphi University Libraries
Oswego Branch: Penfield Library, SUNY Oswego
Poughkeepsie Branch: History pages of the branch website
Smithtown Branch: Stony Brook University Special Collections & Archives
Other Materials
A history of AAUW-NYS from 1920-1952 written by Marie Rogers Vail, published by AAUW-NYS in 1954.
A historical summary from the 1980s.
A historical summary from the 1970s (low quality scan).
The Summer Leadership Conference at Delta Lake was established to bring together NYS branch leaders and NYS Board members. The Task Force for the Future was convened to evaluate the organization of AAUW NYS and recommend changes. As computer usage expanded, communication between the Association, NYS Board, and branch members was more rapid.
2000 and Beyond…
If you have stories, histories, photographs, videos, or other references to share about your NYS branch, please email comms@aauw-nys.org
Share your branch's history
To add your branch history materials to the AAUW NYS website, please email comms@aauwnys.org