The American Association of University Women
advances equity for women and girls through
advocacy, education, and research.
For more than a century, AAUW has been a catalyst for change. Today, with more than 100,000 members and 1300 branches committed to education and equity, AAUW members across the country contribute to a more promising future and provide a powerful voice for women and girls—a voice that cannot and will not be ignored.
Through its public policy program AAUW has influenced legislative debate on critical issues such as education, Social Security, sex discrimination, civil rights, reproductive choice, affirmative action, Title IX, welfare reform, vocational education, pay equity, family and medical leave, and health care reform.
The Schenectady Branch was founded in 1902 as the
Schenectady College Women’s Club, and then reorganized in 1923 as a branch of AAUW.
Please feel free to contact us about upcoming meetings or becoming a member of our group.
Board Members 2007-2008
Branch Meetings
General membership meetings/programs, which are open to the public, are selected to inform and encourage study of community and world issues affecting women and girls and to promote advocacy because equity is still an issue. Officers and members usually meet to discuss and plan the program during the summer for the coming year. Every effort is made to arrange timely and relevant presentations.
Branch Program
2007
Wednesday, October 24, 7 pm, Niskayuna Town Hall
Friday, November 9, with LISA MAATZ (AAUW National Public Policy Director)
Saturday, December 8, 10 am, Mohawk Golf Club (Breakfast)
2008
Wednesday, February 20, 7 pm, Schenectady County Public Library
Wednesday, March 8, 11 am - 2 pm, Golden Phoenix, St. James Square
Wednesday, April 16, 7 pm
Wednesday, May 21, Turf Tavern
Study and Interest Groups
For descriptive information about the groups and the meeting locations, contact Vice President for Study and Interest Groups Karen Huggins (kihuggins@aol.com)
Community Outreach/Special Projects
Children’s Plays 
For over 40 years the Schenectady Branch has arranged to fund a program of children’s plays in the Schenectady area. In recent years the plays have come from Theater Works and have been presented at the Schenectady High School for hundreds of elementary school students from the city schools, including parochial schools and schools in the surrounding suburbs. Charlotte’s Web was presented in 2006 and Junie B. Jones was staged in 2007.
College Caravan
Open to all area high school students, the College Caravan is organized each spring by the branch to facilitate college visits and to increase students’ understanding and ability to evaluate colleges and programs in general. The trip includes a visit to a SUNY campus and to a large and small private college, such as Cornell University and Ithaca College . At each college the group meets with an admissions counselor and takes a guided tour of the campus. Usually arrangements are made for participants to have lunch and dinner in college dining halls.
Other Activities
In addition, the branch participates in Niska-Day, a community-wide festival held in May at the high school. It also organizes a tour of outstanding gardens or conducts a community garage sale to raise money for the AAUW Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund. Among the most recent collaborative fund-raising activities was the successful dramatic program Breakfast with Eleanor (Roosevelt) held at the Turf Tavern in March 2005.
AAUW Educational Foundation
Mission: The AAUW Educational Foundation provides funds to advance education, research, and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change.
The AAUW Educational Foundation--the world's largest source of funding exclusively for graduate women--supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented. The Foundation funds groundbreaking research, fellowships and grants, community action projects, special awards and the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund.
AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund
Mission : The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination.
Founded in 1981, the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) is the nation’s largest legal fund working to eliminate sex discrimination in higher education. LAF has helped students, faculty, staff, and administrators in higher education challenge discriminatory practices such as sexual harassment, denial of tenure or promotion, pay inequity, and inequality in women's athletics programs. LAF believes that raising awareness of inequities and illegal behavior is the first step in promoting fair, healthy campuses for women and men.
Membership Information
Founded in 1881, AAUW is open to all graduates, men and women, who hold an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate, or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In principle or practice AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.
We invite you to join us. Share in the opportunities for networking with people coming from diverse backgrounds and professions but with shared interests and a commitment to work to promote equity.
2007-2008 Membership Dues |
2008-2009 Membership Dues |
|
| AAUW National | $47 |
$49 |
| AAUW NYS | $10 |
$10 |
| Schenectady Branch | $16 |
$16 |
| Total | $73 |
$75 |
If you would like more information about branch activities and membership, please request a membership packet by contacting Vice President for Membership Nancy Ottati at nottati@nycap.rr.com.
