ABOUT AAUW
Benicia-Vallejo Branch
In 1976, three women from the Martinez Branch founded the Benicia Branch of AAUW. (Vallejo was added to the name later.) The three founding members have remained active in the organization. The Benicia-Vallejo Branch has been one of the fastest growing branches with over 60 members currently. Members participate in interest groups, fund raising activities and projects as well as serving as officers or committee chairpersons.
California AAUW
The American Association of University Women of California has over fourteen thousand members in local branches, along with our college and university partner members. AAUW-CA is a part of the American Association of University Women, headquartered in Washington, D.C. AAUW-CA has over 155 branches in communities throughout California, as well as an online branch. The Find-a-Branch page includes links to an alphabetical list of branches and to a separate list of branches by district. Branches are run independently with guidance from the state and national organization and they set their own priorities within those guidelines.
California Online Branch
The California Online Branch is a branch of the American Association of University Women that began in 2001 as an experiment in establishing a ÒvirtualÓ community. As with all AAUW branches, the online branch is dedicated to promoting AAUWÕs mission to promote equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.
AAUW National
Mission: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.
Vision Statement: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls. What started out as the Association of Collegiate Alumnae in 1881 has grown into a powerful nationwide network. In 1981, Marion Talbot and Ellen H. Richards invited 15 other women who had college degrees to a meeting in Boston to discuss creating an organization where women would join together to open doors of higher education to other women and to find greater opportunities to use their training. AAUW is now celebrating 125 years with more than 100,000 members in 1300 branches.
AAUW National is comprised of the network of branches and the Educational Foundation (EF.) The Educational Foundation includes the Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF.) Local branches raise funds to support these important causes.
AAUW Funds
EDUCATION: Funds are provided to programs that advance education, research, and self-development for women, providing opportunities for success. AAUW is the world's largest source of funding exclusively for graduate women, supporting 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 under-represented.
ADVOCACY: Supports programs that advocate for laws and policies that are fair to women, fostering equity and positive societal change.
PROTECTION: The Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for individuals seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination. LAF is the nation's largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination in higher education. Since 1981, the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund 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.
RESEARCH: Funds research on topics and issues important to women, such as gender equity in schools and in society, and provides grants for community action projects. This fund is also known as the "Eleanor Roosevelt Fund".
LEADERSHIP: Supports the development of women's potential to lead.
Donations can be designated by the above five categories.
AAUW Action Funds
Action Funds support the 501(c)(4) Lobby Corps and the Congressional Record. These donations are not tax deductible.
For more information and/or to select a specific program, please see the www.aauw-ca.org website.