Historical Note

Founded in 1882, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has headquarters in Washington, D.C. The AAUW is an association of women graduates from regionally accredited colleges and universities. The purpose of the association is to conduct programs of interest for members in the areas of international relations, education and culture.

In 1926, at the North Pacific Sectional Conference in Portland, Oregon, members of Washington branches met and formed a temporary state organization. Subsequently, on January 27, 1927 in Longview, Washington, members of Washington branches including Bellingham, Cowlitz County, Grays Harbor, Lewis County, Olympia, Pullman, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Walla Walla, and Yakima met, creating and adopting a Divisional Constitution and bylaws.

Acceptance of bylaws and election of state level officers led to the appointment of the first state committee chairs for education, international relations, legislation, history, membership, publicity, and fellowship. The individual branches soon duplicated these chairs. From the first, the branches followed closely the pattern of the National organization, working to further its programs. The Washington State Division and the Washington branches changed in accord with the National structure through the years. When the National Association shifted emphasis in the study-action program, the branch programs followed suit.

As the United States became involved in World War II, the activities of the branches turned wholeheartedly toward the war effort. Some of the war effort activities included selling war bonds and stamps, raising money for the USO, serving on Red Cross committees, holding full-time positions vacated by men in the armed forces, aiding in the survey of places of refuge in community homes in the event evacuation of nearby cities became necessary, and setting up nursery schools. There was also a continued interest in community problems as well as state and national legislation. The branches worked to raise the minimum wage law for women, establish kindergartens in schools, and found nursery schools.

In the 1950s, a growing interest in civil defense and community affairs prompted AAUW members to lead in their communities through speaking, planning adult forums, and sponsoring lecture series. An interest in radio, TV, and films become evident by 1957 with half the branches participating in the activities of the American Council for Better Broadcasts. Some branches presented programs on local stations.

In the late 1960s, interest in legislation and in various phases of education, particularly those having to do with school programs, continued to grow. During the 1970s, both branch programs and those of study groups broadened their scope to include topics of interest to both men and women, including ecology, environment, nuclear energy, economic development and employment. Issues of taxation, educational standards and school funding, judicial reform, alternatives for Washington (constitutional reform), and other political issues remained important. Programs dealing with foreign countries, art exhibits, theater productions, and social activities continued.

Individual branch members became involved in community, county and state governmental affairs. Instead of merely making themselves knowledgeable on legislative issues and the political views of the candidates, branch members offered themselves as candidates for offices and services on state and local boards and commissions.

The American Association of University Women continues to promote equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.