A Message from the President

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-NYS Bylaws
Governance
AAUW New York State Board
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.
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 to roles like Director and Governance Officer at AAUW. She also served on the NY Leadership Council of Autism Speaks.
Sandy holds MS and Administrator’s degrees in education and is a licensed real estate broker. 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.
Suzanne Young-Mercer earned a BS degree from Baruch College, NY in 1988, and an 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 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.

As a member of the North Shore Branch for 14 years, Janet has held the positions of Recording Secretary, Director and co-chair of the Branch’s Nosh political action study group. As current President of the branch, she is serving in her second term with one year remaining.
Before joining AAUW she was a forty year veteran with the Board of Education as a classroom teacher, reading specialist and mentor/staff developer in schools around her district.
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.
Lynn Gore earned a BA at Hartwick College and a Master’s degree at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She taught French for 35 years and was involved with both local and state-level Foreign Language organizations. In retirement, she joined AAUW Kingston and has served as Membership VP from 2017-2019, and as President from 2019 to the present. She previously served on the AAUW NYS board as secretary for three terms 2020-2023.
She looks forward to serving on the board again.
Abby Hirsch has been a member of national, state, and local AAUW for over 25 years. She is currently the co-president of the AAUW Westchester Chapter. She has been an active member here and has served as corresponding secretary, a member of the STEM conference a member of the Running and Winning program to encourage young women to be involved in service among other things.She is also a member of the NYSAAUW state public policy committee where she has prevented on the topic of book bannings. This is an area that she feels passionate about.
Abby received both a BA and MA from New York University. She also has a counseling degree from Hunter College and worked for over 30 years as a school counselor. After retiring from that profession she became a counselor educator at Mercy University. She was associated with Mercy for over 15 years as an administrator and professor in the graduate program of school counseling.
Barbara grew up in Queens, married, became a mother, and later returned to Queens College to earn her BA degree. With a background in accounting, Barbara became an investment advisor with Merrill Lynch. After 40 years, Barbara recently retired from Merrill as a Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor.
Barbara joined AAUW in 2022 and hopes to make a valuable contribution to the organization.
AAUW-NYS 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.
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
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
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
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 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
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