The Jamestown Branch of the New York State AAUW was formed in 1921. Each year our branch hosts the What’s New Fair, the proceeds of which are used for scholarships for area women. Also, this will be the eighth year our branch has sponsored and organized Get in the Game, an event stemming from the education and equity committee which joins area athletes with young girls for a day of learning about sporting opportunities and fun. Finally, we have an annual Holly Berry Brunch, Tri-Branch Brunch, and Membership social.
Want to know more about our branch history?
Updated: Nov. 13, 2008
September 17, 2008, Wed.
October 4, 2008, Sat.
October 27, 2008, Mon.
Nov. 8 & 9, 2008, Sat, & Sun.
Dec. 17, 2008, Wed.
Jan. 21, 2009, Wed.
Feb. 18, 2009, Wed.
Mar. 7, 2009, Sat.
Mar. 18, 2009, Wed.
April 4, 2009, Sat.
May 5, 2009, Tues.
May 20, 2009, Wed.
June 17, 2009, Wed.
The branch newsletter, TWIGS, is published 5 times per year. If you would like to receive a copy, please send an e-mail requesting our latest issue and include your name and mailing address.
If you are interested in joining our branch, please feel free to use our branch application form.
The Jamestown Branch was issued a charter in 1915, although the local branch did not organize until 1921. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, 25 college/university women from the Jamestown area met in the high school library to form a local branch of the AAUW. Eight days later, on Oct. 13, they held their "first regular meeting," elected officers, appointed a committee to work on the Constitution, and appointed a representative to attend a meeting of the North Atlantic Division of the national organization in New York City Oct. 29. Colleges represented among the membership included Oberlin, Wellesley, Bryn Mawr, Cornell, Syracuse, Mt. Holyoke, Elmira, Smith, Vassar and Goucher.
Membership in AAUW was limited to women graduates of approved colleges and universities. Strict rules applied in order to be deemed an approved institution:
Article I of the AAUW Constitution and bylaws stated that nationally the organization "shall be called the Jamestown Branch of the American Association of University Women." However, locally, it was known as “the Jamestown College Women's Club." Its stated purpose was "to unite the college women of the vicinity, for work on the educational, civic and social problems of the community,"- as well as to cooperate with the national organization.
In February, 1922, the College Women's Club entertained the girls of the senior class and also post graduate students of the high school at a Valentine tea. They encouraged the young women to continue their education and discussed various colleges with them. It was a tradition they continued for many years.
Jamestown residents have become very familiar with the annual What's New Fair, which raises funds for scholarships to help young women attending college. It is a tradition established in the first' year of the organization's history. Initially, the 'fund was a loan that was expected to be repaid at the recipient's "convenience." The first fund-raiser was an' "entertainment held April 1, 1922. It netted almost $2O0 for the fund.
The first recipient of a branch loan was Pearl Anderson, a junior at Cornell, in January 1923 She 'was granted a second' loan in October. Marion Spencer was the second recipient to assist her at Carnegie Institute of Technology. In 1928, the third loan recipient was Pauline Stitt, who was studying to become a doctor at Ann Arbor. Her co-recipient was Dorothy Rhoda, attending Albany Teachers College.
In the mid-1920s, AAUW local members were involved in a campaign to ban billboards and they voted to become part of the National Big Sister Movement in the high school. A number of the members volunteered their services for the worthy work of the Big Sisters. Again, the local branch was following policies and traditions established by the national AAUW. Early in its history, the national AAUW was involved in the abolition of child labor and in the forefront of establishing laws to protect children from exploitation in the labor market.
In November 1927, Elsa Nord opened her home for the "regular meeting." There were about 80 in attendance. The speaker was Dr. Bertha Stoneman, president of Huguenot College in Wellington, South Africa. Dr. Stoneman "drew a comparison of the different countries in furthering the cause of university women and the differences in custom which she had noted during her visit here." Dr. Stoneman, who is considered the founder of the South African Association of University Women, was born on the Stoneman farm in Lakewood. The Jamestown Branch has recognized and honored her multiple accomplishments by electing her to its Circle of Distinction 1987.
Dues for the organization during it first years were $3. In 1929, the dues were raised to $5. There has been a steady increase in dues over the years, reflecting the national trend of overall raising costs with in notable exception. In June 1932, dues were reduced to $3.50 in deference to the Depression and the resultant drop in the value of the dollar.
The members' interests, concerns and commitment of the Jamestown Branch of AAUW remain focused on educating and empowering women and girls.