A Message from the President
AAUW-NYS History
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
A historical summary from the 1970s (low quality scan).
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 Seventies: Women on the Move
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.
The Cornell 11 litigation in 1981 catalyzed the founding of The Legal Advocacy Fund. Convention titles were "Choices + Challenges = Action," "Priorities," and "Momentum for the Future." Topics included "Money Talks" and "Taking Hold of Technology." Task Forces were developed for Public Support for Public Education, Peace and National Security, and Women’s Work/Women’s Worth.
The Educational Foundation started 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
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.
The Nineties: Taking the Initiative
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 instituted by Pres. Fortunato to bring branch leaders and NYS Board together. The Task Force for the Future was convened by Fortunato to evaluate the organization of AAUW NYS and recommend changes. As computer usage expanded, communication between the Association, NYS Board, and members was more rapid. The use of computer communication was greatly encouraged by Pres. Currie. Currie’s by-word slogan “Living the Mission” reminded us all of why we are members of AAUW.
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@aauw-nys.org
Dear Esteemed Members of AAUW-NYS,
I am deeply honored and humbled to accept the presidency of AAUW-NYS. Together, we stand at a pivotal moment in our organization's history, poised to define a new way forward that will shape the future of AAUW-NYS and empower women and girls across our state. I am committed to fostering collaboration and partnership with our branches as we embark on this journey. By working hand in hand with our branches, we can harness the collective wisdom, strengths, and resources of our diverse membership to drive meaningful change and advance our shared mission.
Furthermore, I believe in the power of collaboration with like-minded organizations that share our vision for equity and inclusion. By forging strategic partnerships and alliances, we can amplify our impact, leverage our collective influence, and broaden our reach to effect positive change for women and girls in New York State. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that AAUW-NYS is at the forefront of the fight to make equity for women and girls a reality in our communities and beyond.
Suzanne Young-Mercer
Through advocacy, education, research, and empowerment initiatives, we will work tirelessly to break down barriers, challenge injustices, and create a more equitable and inclusive society for all. I invite each and every one of you to join me on this transformative journey. Although I was personally disappointed in the outcome of OpenUp AAUW, I still believe we have an opportunity to lift every woman through our advocacy. So together, let us roll up our sleeves, lift each other, and build a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Our collective efforts will be the driving force behind the positive change we seek to create.
Thank you for your trust, support, and dedication to AAUW’s mission. Together, we will define a new way forward, united in our commitment to making equity for women and girls a reality.
Let's embark on this journey together, with passion, purpose, and unwavering resolve. Thank you.
AAUW New York State Board
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…
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.
The Thirties: We Were Far from Depressed
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 Twenties: Not Quite a Roar
See Also
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.
2024-26 Suzanne Young-Mercer
2022-24 Carol Griffith
2018-22 Janice Brown
2016-18 Roli Wendorf
2014-16 Edwina Frances Martin, Esq.
2012-14 Mary Lou Davis
2008-12 Eileen Hartmann
2006-08 Diane Haney
2004-06 Nancy Mion
2002-04 Evelyn Currie
2000-02 Roberta Fortunato
1998-00 Kay Kraatz
1996-98 Elizabeth Harrel
1994-96 Vicki Marshall
1992-94 Suzanne Oliver
1990-92 Patricia Hogeboom
1988-90 Dr. Joyce Dayton
1986-88 Lois Waldorf
1984-86 Alice Ann Leidel
1982-84 Sandra Bernard
1980-82 Marianne H. Haslegrave
1978-80 Harriet Edwards
1976-78 Carol Stull
1974-76 M. Carey Howard
1972-74 Betty Dearing
1970-72 Louise Biederstadt
1968-70 Ruth McGraw
1964-68 Josephine Morrison
1962-64 Rosalind Fisher
1960-62 Jeanette “Figs” Hosler
1958-60 Elizabeth McLellan
1956-58 E. Grace Gould
1954-56 Virginia Sherman
1950-54 Florence Gilfether
1946-50 Barbara Evans
1942-46 Isabelle Kideney
1940-42 Blodwen Zeitler
1938-40 Henrietta Langner
1936-38 Marcia Taylor
1934-36 Alice Fite
1932-34 Jane Louise Jones
1930-32 Myrtilla Snyder
1926-30 Cora May Graham
1920-26 Juanita Bates
AAUW-NYS Presidents
AAUW-NYS Conventions
2024 Poughkeepsie & Virtual
2023 Virtual
2022 Virtual
2021 Virtual
2020 Virtual
2019 Cooperstown
2018 Corning
2017 Syracuse
2016 Saratoga Springs
2015 Buffalo
2014 Ellenville
2013 Lake Placid
2012 Rochester
2011 Glens Falls
2010 Cooperstown
2009 Bolton Landing
2008 Cooperstown
2007 Saratoga Springs
2006 Saratoga Springs
2005 Verona
2004 Albany
2003 Long Island
2002 Lake Placid
2001 Rochester
2000 Tarrytown
1999 Corning
1998 Niagara Falls
1997 Saratoga Springs
1996 Syracuse
1995 Long Island
1994 Lake Placid
1993 Rochester
1992 Binghamton
1991 Bolton Landing
1990 Buffalo
1989 Syracuse
1988 Albany
1987 Buffalo
1986 Glens Falls
1985 Albany
1984 Rochester
1983 Albany
1982 Buffalo
1981 Tarrytown
1980 Jamestown
1979 Binghamton
1978 Albany
1977 Syracuse
1976 Garden City
1975 Buffalo
1974 New Paltz
1973 Binghamton
1972 Glens Falls
1970 Rochester
1968 Binghamton
1966 Syracuse
1964 New York City
1962 Rochester
1960 Bronxville
1958 Schenectady
1956 Elmira
1954 Rochester
1952 Saratoga Springs
1950 Buffalo
1948 Poughkeepsie
1946 Bronxville
1944 Syracuse
1942 Albany
1940 Elmira
1938 Lake Placid
1936 Saratoga Springs
1934 Poughkeepsie
1932 Ithaca
1930 Rochester
1928 Utica
1926 Rochester
1924 Binghamton
Reports & Financials
2023 Annual Reports of the Board of Directors
Governance
NYS By-Laws
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Board of Directors Procedures
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Policy Book
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Articles I-VII are dictated by the national organization and were approved via a national vote in the Spring of 2023.
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Articles VIII-XXI were approved at the June 29, 2024 AAUW-NYS Annual Meeting.
Suzanne Young-Mercer earned her BS degree from Baruch College, NY in 1988, and her MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2005. She has had a 42-year career in the healthcare industry, including 23 years of administrative experience.
Suzanne joined the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in 2012 with the AAUW-Rockland, NY branch, serving as Program VP and Branch President. She was selected to join the AAUW-NYS Board as Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, holding the position for six years. She also serves on the AAUW National Inclusion and Equity committee. In June 2024, Suzanne began her term as AAUW-NYS President after serving as President-Elect.
Sandy Camillo is an advocate for women’s equity. Author of The Journey of an Invisible Woman and the upcoming THE SHOCKING TRUTH Behind What Men REALLY Think About Women, she has also published numerous articles exploring gender dynamics. Her commitment to advancing women’s rights led her to roles like Director and Governance Officer at AAUW. She also served on the NY Leadership Council of Autism Speaks.
Sandy also contributes as a micro-blogger to X, with a substantial following focusing on ageism and gender equity. Sandy holds a M.S and Administrator’s degree in education and is licensed in real estate. Her career spans roles from school principal to writer, paralegal, receivership specialist, realtor, court appointed special advocate and gender advocate. Her unusually diverse experiences enable her to realize that regardless of socio-economic backgrounds, there is a wide gap in men and women’s understanding of one another.
Carol, a Williamsville, NY resident, holds a degree from the University of Buffalo School of Social Work and SUNY Empire State College. She has served for over 40 years at the VA Western New York Healthcare System, including 18 years as Federal Women’s Program Manager.
Carol is a strong advocate for veterans and women’s rights, supporting the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and National Women’s Hall of Fame. She has volunteered for numerous veterans’ events and held leadership roles in AAUW. Recognized for her service, she has received multiple awards, including the 2018 Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award and the 2007 YWCA Community Volunteer Award.
Latasha Elder is a financial professional and community leader with over 15 years of experience. A graduate of the University at Buffalo, she specializes in personal and small business taxes. Latsha's background includes over nine years working in finance at Jefferson Community College, where she honed her expertise in managing budgets and supporting financial operations.
Currently serving as a Town Clerk, Latasha continues to demonstrate her commitment to public service. Her passion for mentorship and leadership extends to her tenure as a Girl Scout leader, where she has positively impacted the lives of young girls for 13 years. Latasha is also an active advocate for gender equity and education. Originally a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Jefferson County Branch, she is now a proud member of the AAUW Greater Rochester Branch, where she supports initiatives aimed at empowering women and advancing their professional development.
Susan is a graduate of Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY, and later earned an MS in Special Education from the College of Staten Island. She taught Early Intervention to Pre-K students with special needs for almost 20 years. While her husband served as a US Army officer, Susan did countless hours of volunteer work at many different locations all over the United States and Panama. She is the recipient of the Boy Scout Thomas Powell Award for her work as a volunteer.
Susan has served on the Vestry at her church, and is a member of her church choir, as well as the Richmond Choral Society, where she is a board member. She has been an active member of the Staten Island Branch of AAUW since 2005, and has served as Membership Chair, and Vice President of Program Planning. She enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and listening to music. Susan is most proud of her daughter, son, and eight year old grandson, as well as her one year old Shih Tzu puppy, Becca.
Tracy is the Western NY Field Associate with the NYS CTE Technical Assistance Center, focused on improving access to and delivery of career and technical education (CTE). She holds a BA in English Education from St. Bonaventure University, an MA in English from SUNY Albany, and an administrative certificate from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Tracy retired in 2020 after 32 years in public education, including roles as Coordinator of Integrated Academics and Director of Career and Technical Education at Jefferson Lewis BOCES.
Tracy joined AAUW in 2009 and has served in various leadership roles, including president of the Jefferson County branch and membership VP of the Fairport Area Branch. She is passionate about supporting women and girls in leadership. Tracy and her husband Dan have three grandsons, raised by their daughter.
Dr. Jessica Sims completed a PhD in Continental philosophy at Stony Brook University in 2017. She also holds degrees in political science and philosophy from the University of Oregon. Jessica's doctoral research on Stockholm Syndrome in cases of domestic violence earned her a $20,000 American Fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in 2016. She has given lectures on her work to AAUW branches in NYC, Long Island, and Upstate New York. She currently serves as the Membership VP for the NYC Metro branch.
When she's not working with AAUW supporters and fellows, Jessica serves as the Development & Membership Manager for St. George's Society of New York (SGSNY) - a 254-year-old British charity - where she leads on fundraising and membership outreach. She also manages SGSNY's Scholarship Program, providing financial and professional development support to 30 undergraduate scholarship recipients annually.
British-born and Brooklyn-based, Raegan is a performing and teaching artist, advocate, and Fulbright scholar. She obtained her MFA from The New School in 2017, and is an alumna of the International House of New York, and a grantee of their Women’s International Leadership program. She was the recipient of the P.E.O International Peace scholarship in 2016, and her nonprofit project Sound Board NYC was featured by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation in 2017.
Raegan was the first to deliver an official TED Talk entirely in rhyming verse, has performed with Ice-T, and inspired thousands of students and a variety of clients, all toward the goal of making the world a better place. She has been an AAUW member since 2016, and in addition to her work with the NYS board, is VP of Programs for the NYC Metro branch.
Mary-Carol Lindbloom
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Home Branch: Rockland County
Mary-Carol earned a B.A. in Anthropology from St. John Fisher University and an M.S. in Library Science from Syracuse University. She has worked in diverse library settings across New York, Missouri, and Illinois, including university, public, museum, hospital, and library system roles. Currently, she is the executive director of a multitype library system based in Ithaca, serving on three school library advisory councils and Syracuse University’s iSchool Guiding Council.
Mary-Carol champions digital equity and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIJAB) initiatives. She is active in a regional diversity consortium and a local antiracist group. Her AAUW involvement began after earning her undergraduate degree and has included leadership roles in Missouri and New York. She now serves in DEI roles for her local AAUW branch and state organization, reflecting her lifelong commitment to fostering inclusion and equity in professional and community spaces.