American Association of University Women

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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.^[1]Founded in 1881 by Ellen Swallow Richards and Marion Talbot, AAUW celebrated its 125th anniversary^[2] in 2006-07 with an online museum^[3] commemorating its legacy of leadership, scholarship, advocacy, and action. The organization has a nationwide network of 100,000 members, 1,300 branches, and 500 college and university partners.

The AAUW Educational Foundation is one of the world's largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women.^{[citation needed]} It provides funds to advance education, research, and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change. Each year the Foundation provides $3.5 to $4 million in fellowships, grants, and awards for outstanding women and for community action projects. The Foundation also funds pioneering research on women, girls, and education.

The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, a program of the Foundation, is the United States' largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination 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 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.^[4] Along with three other organizations, it founded the CTM Madison Family Theatre in 1965.

AAUW's national convention^[5] is held biennially. AAUW also sponsors a student leadership conference,^[6] 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.

AAUW's headquarters is located at 1111 Sixteenth Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C.

[edit] History

Originally known as the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, AAUW assumed its present name in 1921 after merging with the Southern Association of College Women.

In 1919 AAUW raised $156,413 as a grant to enable Marie Curie to purchase one gram of radium for her experiments.^[7]

The organization funds studies germane to the education of women.^[8]