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AAUW brochureu� �� .'i' gyp.• ri r ry r: iQn nnn n/iernIo^rn#-% • vr. • o evv. v ®vII /Vu 0// u vWLfaVJ 1 ■ v •W% m If i r i I ZI A 1 �TTT /--N ♦ -,& -Y ♦ l-*. Z --v - - - -- - _ . S . - -�m_ i -A— i ♦ ♦ N-1 l ♦ iLl 14 the largest and oldest national organization working for women Founded in Poston in 1882 by 65 women college graduates, AAUW now has 190,000 members located in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accred- ited college or university or from a foreign institu- tion recognized by the International Federation of University Women is a woman's key to mem- bership. AAUW is involved in the advancement of women education the community cultural interests international relations legislation We offer you • conferences and seminars on such subjects as the United Nations and the American family • fellowships for doctoral or postdoctoral work or final year in law, medicine, veterinary medicine, architecture or dentistry • Grants for members to return to school after a five year absence • Grants for public interest and community projects • A respected coalition of womanpower influenc- ing local, state, and national legislation • friends among university women in over 1900 communities and when you travel to 53 coun- tries around the world • the stimulating bimonthly AAUW Graduate Woman • access to thought-provoking publications and audio-visual materials • group insurance programs, book discounts, and exciting travel seminars and tours The AAUW Educational Center The headquarters for AAUW and the AAUW Edu- cational Foundation is a modern, eight -story build- ing in the nation's capital, just a short walk from the Kennedy Center. It houses a comprehensive library and archival collection on women. International Connections AAUW members are also members of the Inter- national Federation of University Women which the Association helped to found in 1919. IFUW links federations/associations in 54 lands, uniting women around the world in working toward com- mon goals and international understanding. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. FFOCUS�10N ADVOCACY/ACTION t RESEARCH t LIFELONG LEARNING117mAw" Our Long -Standing Commitments The five major association interests are + women • international relations + education • cultural interests + the community Concerns and issues within these areas range from day care, sexism in education, and quality vocational, technical and career education to conservation and wise use of resources, con- sumer protection, domestic violence, support of arts programs and the United Nations, and the participation of women in economic, social, and political development. Through the Committee on Corporate Member Relationships, AAUW furthers its commitment to higher education. Action on higher education is- sues and problems is a major focus. The 1977 study on equity for women on our college campuses updated a 1970 survey. It covered the total effect of institutional policies, programs, and practices on the lives of women students and staff, and the makeup of boards of trustees. Find- ings revealed change without progress. Action for women is the focus of the Association's Committee on Women. Activities include work- ing for ERA ratification, monitoring Title IX com- pliance by educational institutions, developing workshop models for skills for living and career development, helping establish data banks of qualified women, and stressing concerns of dis- placed homemakers. Topics Provide Action, Research, Learning AAUW members actively participate in determin- ing the study/action issues for each biennium. Since its inception, AAUW has been far ahead of the general public in identifying and analyzing important issues and acting to meet the demands of the times. The 1979-81 Topics reflect research and action. Managing Resources for To- morrow. The hard decisions on al- locating scarce resources and using them efficiently will be confronted by AAUW members. They will consider energy, environ- ment, human resources and technology as well as dealing with the political system and the diffi- culty of communication among different cultural and value systems. Nationally, the Topic will lead to an AAUW policy on resource management and by direction of the 1979 convention, on the energy question. @D Families Facing Change will in- volve members in understanding the varied styles of families in contemporary society and the myths about them, in dealing con- structively with change, and in choosing among values and options in relation to families. Mem- bers will examine the interrelationship of issues confronting today's families, from sexuality and teenage pregnancy to ethics and socioeconomic roles. In addition the Association is looking to- ward a survey of the American family that will contrast with a similar 1939 AAUW study. �. t : k Photo by Vickie Hagen We Work for Change Through the Legislative Program The biennial conventions adopt the AAUW Legis- lative Program which is derived from polling every member and branch. Major areas of the national program relate to the five major interests. Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment con- tinues as AAUW's top priority. Among conven- tion -established priorities are: + elimination of discrimination based on sex, race, ethnic origin, creed, marital and socio- economic status, age or disability • recognition and support of the contributing role of the homemaker in society + the right to individual choice in the determina- tion of one's reproductive life • adequate forward funding of public educational programs at all levels • conservation, environmental pollution control, comprehensive planning, and wise utilization of resources including land, air, water, and both traditional and alternative energy resources. Resolutions Also Shape Our Policies n Major contemporary issues are reflected in the 1979-81 resolutions as well as in the LegislativeI 11 Program. The energy resolution adopted in 1977 was reaf- firmed, but opposition to permits for new construc- tion of nuclear power facilities for two years was added. The resolution calls on AAUW to support strong conservation measures as the primary en- ergy requisite, diversification, comprehensive planning, stringent limitation of the use of nuclear reactors, solutions of safety and waste disposal problems, and research by the Energy Depart- ment for new sources of energy. Women's concerns are reflected in numerous resolutions as are voting rights for D.C., rights of the child, and consumer issues relevant to food, nutrition, and agriculture. Advocacy For Women For nearly 100 years, AAUW has worked for the advancement of women, their recognition as first-class citizens, equal opportunity, and the right to choose from many alternative careers and life styles. Highlights of some efforts follow: 1882 Founded in Boston by Marion Talbot to open the doors of education to women, do ''practical educational work," meet societal needs 1885 Publish research on health of college women to refute Boston physician's charge that higher education will impair health of women! 1886 Advocate physical training for women 1888 Award first graduate fellowship for women 1891 Study women as factors in industrial competition 1909 Survey reveals low salaries and slow advancement for women; establish Committee on Vocational Op- portunities for College Women 1910- Call for equal pay for equal work in schools and 20 equal opportunity for advancement 1913 Vote to work for women's suffrage 1916 Advocate physical education training for children 6 to 18 years, equal treatment for girls 1917 Protest exclusion of women from Federal Civil Service examinations, unequal pay for equal work; call for creation of Women's Bureau 1922 Urge appointment of women to diplomatic service and of qualified persons to public office regardless of sex; cooperate in study on training women for chemistry careers 1943- Support women's units in armed forces with equal 46 pay, rank; equal civil service retirement 1944 Co-sponsor White House Conference on women in policy-making positions 1949 Urge naming women to high level State and Defense Department posts 1953 Initiate education of women in money management 1962 Publish Women's Education, a clearinghouse on education, jobs, legislation 1964 Hold first conference ever for women trustees of col- leges, universities 1969 Lobby for woman on Supreme Court 1970 Survey of status of women in academe reveals in- equality in pay, positions held, .opportunities 1971 Vote to support ERA; ratification named top priority in 1975 1974 Invitational conference focuses on women's access to graduate, professional schools 1975 Vote to hold conventions only in ERA -ratified states and relocate 1977 meeting; protest HEW's lack of enforcement of Title IX, help defeat crippling Con- gressional amendments 1977- Lobby President, Cabinet to appoint women to top 78 government posts; monitor local compliance with Title IX; vote to hold regional conference only in ERA - ratified states; survey of status of women in academe finds change without progress; first conference for former AAUW Fellows (1978) considers strategies for equity in academia; 1978 Conference on Women in Corporate World also a first; lobby, win ERA Ex- tension The AAUW Educational Foundation Members As Change Agents The AAUW Educational Foundation finances educational and public service programs, spon- sors conferences, and publications. Its assets ex- ceed $19 million, Members and friends contribute to Foundation assets and yearly provide financial support for the Fellowships and Research & Projects programs. The AAUW Educational Foundation awards and grants program is the largest in the country in � support ort of women. For 1979-80 a total of ; $909,000 was awarded. Fellowships reflect AAUW's long-standing commitment to higher education of women. This program is the oldest and largest graduate fellow- ship program for women. Since the first fellowship in 1888, more than 3460 women from 87 coun- tries, including the U.S., have pursued graduate studies. Competition for these awards increases yearly. For 1979-80 American Fellowships totaling $525,420 have been awarded to 98 women. In addition 59 International Fellowships amounted to nearly $264,000. Research & Projects Grants recognize the abil- ity of AAUW members to use their skills and tal- ents to match the needs of their communities through public service and special research proj- ects. Moreover, the Foundation recently enlarged its scope by supporting women returning to school after a lapse of five years to renew skills toward career advancement. Over $110,000 has been awarded to 138 mem- bers, branches, and state divisions for 1979-80. Among the impressive projects funded are survey of rural displaced homemakers • job sharing v non-traditional careers for women o a career role model filmstrip - an educational programs direc- tory for young children • a crisis support center art education in the elementary schools . a cre- ative communications workshop . and a pilot proj- ect on a trading program for senior citizens. Special Programs include the AAUW African Educators Program which also receives funds from the U.S. International Communications Agency. It is one of the first programs of its kind to recognize the need of developing African coun- tries by bringing African women educators and administrators to the United States for a two-way exchange of information on educational systems and community life. AAUW branches vie for the honor to host the visitors and introduce them to their communities. The Centennial Fund The goal of this decade-long program is to add $10 million in new endowment funds by the AJso- ciation's centennial year, 1982. Members and friends contributed more than $1.3 million toward this goal in 1978-79, bringing the total of the fund to over $8.1 million. Communities throughout the country have reaped the benefits of Association public service efforts. A sampling of the kaleidoscope of AAUW branch and state activities follows. The Buffalo, (NY) Branch battled a tough ad- versary when it undertook its TV project aimed at removing programs with sexual inuendos and "adult humor ,"from the early evening time period and the daily off -color promotional spots. Widespread support throughout the state has brought much success. Now interest is expressed by other areas of the country. ® Work to effect legislative change took the form of a series of six workshops on citizen participa- tion in the legislative process, sponsored by the Rhode Island State Division. • Junior high school girls and their families have been introduced to successful women role models by the Massachusetts State Division, which compiled an 80 -page book, Women on Their Way. More than 8,000 of the books were placed in schools and counseling centers. • The tenacity and planning of the Antelope Val- ley (CA) Branch resulted in saving the local Indian museum by convincing the state to pur- chase it. Now the members are involved in the museum's long-term operations. • The 36 -member Douglas (AZ) Branch, despite limited resources, mounted an Adopt -A -Book program to build up the library's collection of children's books and correct the lack of funds to acquire them. • "Public Policy and Working Women" was the subject of forums co-sponsored in seven Penn- sylvania areas by the AAUW state division and the state Commission on Women. As a result videotapes, cassettes and written reports have been provided to libraries, government officials, academic offices, and local community groups. • An Action Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families has been initiated by the Washington State Division with a federal grant from HEW's Region X. Holding town hall meetings across the state, the group will evolve a general policy statement for the Governor and legislature. • From North Dakota and Palos Area (IL) to the east and south, AAUW branches have spon- sored crisis centers, hot lines, and workshops about domestic violence, and have trained vol- unteers to provide counseling and assistance. • Statewide meetings in Hawaii dramatized the politics affecting food supply for citizens. Co- sponsored by the university Cooperative Ex- tension Service and the College of Tropical Ag- riculture and Human Resources, the forums covered government policy and support of food production, processing, and distribution and the effect of those policies on Hawaiian citi- zens. • A workshop on "Woman and the Challenge of Change" covering death and divorce, parenting the handicapped, single parents, role conflicts, financial planning, and similar subjects drew a wide audience in Wayne (NB), as well as media attention for the branch. • Concern about the condition and safety of local parks spurred the Norton (KS) Branch to initiate a campaign to correct safety hazards and ne- glect. Now the city and county are taking an interest in park improvement. A toll-free telephone line service has been se- cured for the citizens of Franklin County (NC) by the AAUW branch and it has helped to unify the community. Previously it was difficult and expensive for citizens to communicate with each other and contact governmental services. There were seven different telephone ex- changes! • An Educational Information and Referral Ser- vice, located in Lenox Square Shopping Center in Atlanta, GA, provides information about all post -secondary education in the area as well as counseling and referral. The entire project is the work of the Atlanta Branch.