MISSION STATEMENT

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education philanthropy, and research.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to any graduate holding an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate, or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students who are enrolled in an associate's or bachelor's degree program at an accredited two- or four-year institution can join as Branch Student Affiliates. In principle and in 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. Membership is not by invitation.

AAUW'S VALUE PROMISE

By joining AAUW, you belong to a community that breaks through educational economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

ORGANIZATION

AAUW is a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institution partners. AAUW includes the primary membership organization, a Section 501(c)(3) public charity, and the AAUW Action Fund, a smaller section 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that may engage in limited activities related to member activism and voter education. For more information about AAUW, go to www.aauw.org.

HISTORICAL RECORD

In 1881, sixty-five college graduates came together to promote education and equity for all women and girls by founding AAUW. Since then, AAUW has had a long and distinguished history of advancing educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe. AAUW has continually encouraged women to reach their full potential and has tried to effect change that would help them do so. AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day-educational, social, economic, and political.

AAUW's voice has long influenced legislative debate on critical social issues such as education, sex discrimination, civil rights, reproductive choice, affirmative action, Title IX, welfare reform, vocational education, pay equity, family and medical leave, and health care reform. Each year AAUW provides millions of dollars in fellowships, grants, and awards for outstanding women around the globe and for community action projects. AAUW also funds pioneering research on women, girls, and education.

RETROSPECTIVE of the AAUW LANSDALE BRANCH

In 1963, thirty-five women came together to form a dynamic group that would enhance the Lansdale community in a multitude of ways. These interests have translated into many projects that have made a difference in the lives of our members and their neighbors, while earning our branch local and national recognition. The branch's activities are primarily in the area of improving the lives of women and girls on many levels, international relations, education, cultural interests and the community.

The branch has been involved with international relations by learning about and promoting international understanding through UNICEF sales and collections and studying the Peace and National Security Issue in the 1980s. This culminated in the production of a play called Peace Child, which told the tale of a Soviet child and an American child who united in peaceful understanding. Another highlight occurred in 1983 when the branch hosted two African educators for a week to help them learn about the American educational systems and return to their countries with knowledge to improve the lives of their students.

Branch activities for improved educational opportunities in the North Penn area began in 1963 with members supporting efforts to bring Montgomery County Community College to Blue Bell. The efforts of the branch for the North Penn school district were soon evident when AAUW began the Art Goes To School, Green Circle (a program designed to overcome prejudice and teach acceptance and tolerance) and Volunteer Aids programs. All of these programs are still in existence today, having been brought under school district jurisdiction. Career Shadowing for Girls provided the opportunity for high school girls to explore a career option for a day. This program, developed by the Lansdale Branch, was incorporated into Pennsylvania AAUW's Project 21st Century: Preparing Young Women for the Future, and also received national recognition with the award of a C-Flag by President Reagan's Citation Program for Private Sector Initiatives.

The branch has educated area youth about Women's History. In Celebration of Women, a booklet of biographies of important local women, was published in 1981 by the branch. Every March students in the North Penn School District are encouraged to learn about Women's History through books we present to each school depicting historically significant women.

Several activities of the branch have tried to help women balance career and family. In the 1960's the Lansdale AAUW conducted a study of local childcare options which assisted working mothers in evaluating the best way to care for their children while providing for their families. Career study workshops in the 1970's helped women develop skills to advance in their jobs at a time when many women were returning to the workforce. Families in our community are currently benefiting from the outcome of the Before and After School Child Care Survey, also conducted by the Lansdale AAUW, which resulted in both the North Penn and Souderton School Districts providing on-site child care for working parents.

Community activities have included being an early supporter of Laurel House and Nehemiah's Way, to organizations that shelter and support abused women. Members of the community faced with the challenges of caring for older family members learned about resources available to them at the forum: Aging: A Matter of Caring, which was presented in conjunction with the North Penn Senior Center in 1989. We have long partnered with the League of Women Voters to help with voter registration and candidate forums.

Today, the branch is visible in our community through the following annual projects: Curtain Time for Kids, an affordable professional children's theater performance for area families; Discover The Future, a hands-on math and science day for 5th-7th graders; Excellence in Writing, a creative writing competition for area high school students; GOLD (Girls Opportunity for Leadership Development), a leadership development program for 8th grade girls; Write-Read-Write, a correspondence and gift book exchange between branch members and remedial readers in third grade; Women's Project, supporting local women in need; and a scholarship program, offering scholarships to high school students as well as to women students returning to college. In addition to these projects and fundraising events, members enjoy monthly meetings that feature speakers on a wide range of topics, and they may join various interest groups. However, the most significant benefit of membership in AAUW is the opportunity to create a powerful network of educated women to effect positive change around them.