Some Facts About AAUW For Speakers, Publicity and Reports (4 pages)50111E FACTS ABOUT AAUW
For Speakers, Publicity Chairmen, and Reports
MembersLip: Over 145, 000 members
1470 local branches, in 48 State Divisions, the District of (Jolurnbia., Hawaii.,
Alaska, and Guam.
It
Officers,
President: 'c'
Dr.
Anna Lo Rose Hawkes)
Orleans Vermont
lst vise --President
Dr.
Janet L. MacDonald,
Hollins College) Virginia
2nd Vice -President:
14rs.
Derrick A. Sherman,
Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania
Recording Secretary.*
Dr-.
r,
Minnie 1.11. 111iller, Emporia, Kansas
Treasurer,
Mrs.
Charles Concordia.,
Schenectady, New York
vice -Presidents from the Regions: North Atlantic, lfi,so Herbert W. Anderson; South
Atlantic, Mrs. Douglas Tomkiesc, Northeast Central., Miss Alice Beeman;
Southeast Central, �iiss Flora Rawls; Northwest Central, Mrs. Lawrence Et
Schneider; Southwest Central, Dr. Gladys Hicks Newman Rocky DIrs.
.9 .9
Earl A. Fredrickson,, North Pacific, Dr. Marion Fish Cox9 South Pacific) TAIrs's
Ray Winthrop Townsend.
Founded in 1882- More than seventy-five years of continuous work for r high
& e
standards in education and more effective and 'Intelligent participation of
college women in the processes of democracy*
Member of the International Federation of University 1--,7omen: Affiliated with 49
other nationa-I organizations of university women for the purpose of working
for international understanding and peace.
Enlists on its national Board and committees the services of over 100 women promi-
nent in education and public life,, from all parts of the country. The current
list includes 1 college president and 13 college deans (past and present).
Lists 470 American colleges and universities as meeting AAUP standards. (Member-
ship is drawn from graduates of these institutions.)
Awards some 1-00 fellowships each year to women scholars for advanced work. For
i.961-62., 50 awards were made to American women and 45 to women from countries
having associations affiliated v_it-h the International Federation of University
Women. Most of the awards to women of other countries are restricted to study
in the United States. The American Fellows may use their awards anywhere in
the woiold. Since the first fellowship in 1888, about 1.500 awards have been
made.
Has raised an endoiment fund of more than `$2,276,000 with a market value of
$2960 for fellowships to encourage gifted women
4�000 as of June 30, 19 0
scholars. Over $253,000 was contributed In 1959-60 for the Fellowships Programs
Co-operates with many national and intern at ional organizationofte is represented on
or holds membership in Association for Childhood Education International,
American Council on Education, Committee for Interchange of Tea.cj%iers., Committee
4/61
on Relations of Higher Education to Federal Government) Committee for
International Economic Groi�jth, National Citizens Council for Better Schools)
National Committee for Ea ' ual Pay, U.S. Committee for the UN, Conference Group
of U.S. National Organizations for the ni , Adult Education Association,
AAUW-ACEI Joint Committee on Children ts Books in the Library of Congress)
Council of National Organizations,, U.S. National Commission for UMESCOO
Has Observer at the UN.
WHAT THE AAUW DOES
For Higher Education In higher ediacation, AAW encourages sound academic standards,
a good foundation of liberal education, responsible posts
for women on faculties, and part icipation of women in administration, (T-1any
institutions have made changes in these directions to qualify for AAUW approval --
reo
.,uired if their graduates are to be eligible for AAUW membership.) AAUW branches
working in higher education are studying the need for college teachers, public
support of college teaching as a career., problems relating to the admission of
women to colleges, financial support for higher education, and the support of a
legislative item on Federal aid to higher education*
For Elementary and AAUVI branches work for bet -ter public schools, for community
Secondary Education understanding of school needs, more adequate means of financ-
ing schools, conditions to attract good teachers, preparation
of liberal arts graduates for teaching, and well-qualified school boards. Branches
also study needs of children, sponsor nursery schools and kindergartens, organize
study groups on child development and school problems9 aid libraries, help schools
obtain education and vocational guidance services, and find many other channels
for "Practical educational work."
For International Through study groups, public meetings, special programs, radio
Understanding broadcasts, and newspaper publicitylocal branches promote
study of American foreign policy and better understanding of
other countries, and support concerted action for peace through a stronger UN. In
1960-61, there has been special emphasis on "The emerging -Nations of Asia, and
African and the formation of U.S. foreign policy toldTard these nations,,
On Current Problems The Association stresses study and fact-finding on social and
economic problems, with special emphasis on aging., mental
health, and consumer problems.
In The Arts The AAblli Arts Resource Center provides members with study materials
and information to help them search out, study, evaluate, and apply
aesthetic experiences of fundamental importance to their growth as mature and
educated individuals. Programs developed by branches and states include studio
and discussion courses in the arts, as well as community projects to create a
favorable environment for the artist.
For Women The Association emphasizes women's responsibilities as citizens.
Branches develop lea,dersh-'-p training programs; encourage more active and
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intelli-aent participation in public affairs, including the seeking and accepting of
0
public office by qualified women and the appointment of more women to policy-making
posts; work to remove discrimination -- educational,, legal., economic., social, and
political -- against women. AAW supports "equal pay for equal work" legislation
on the Federal and state levels.
2&
About Mass Media The Association encourages study of the mass media of communi-
cation, and action to extend their educational and cultural use
Study groups consider such topics as the use of television as a, teaching tool., the
effects of TV entertainment on children) local press coverage of national and inter"
national affairs, and the relation of government to the mass media -- FCC regulation
of broadcasting and problems of access to government information, Action has
been directed toward developing the educcatl`_onal potentialities of the broadcast
media: expanding educational, cultural and informational programming over com-
mercial stations and developing nonconnercial educational broadcasting stations.
In Legislation At local,, state and national levels, AAUW supports legislation
related to the Associationts program. Propos . als for the national
Legislative Program for 1961-63 were drafted on the basis of a branch opinion poll;
theprogram is voted by delegates at the national biennial conventions. Through
-1-eferendurn procedures, a local branch may initiate addition or removal of items
from the national Legislative Program between conventions, decision is by vote of
-IL-,he majority of the branches. The 196163 program 'Includes support of federal aid
for tax -supported schools under state control; constructive measures to improve
education beyond the high schoolincluding making funds available to colleges to
assist in meeting the greatly increased operating expenses caused by rising student
enrollments; support of the UN and its affiliated agencies; measures to ensure
protection of rights guaranteed to individuals by the Federal Constitution; legis-
lation in the interest of the consumere measures designed to do away with dis
cr ain
inations against women; and equal pay for equal work. Emphasis is on education
to develop informed opinion as a basis for action.
TJW
SOME SPECIAL AAt PROJECTS -1
More Reading and AAW branches are engaged in surveying library facilities in
Better Libraries schools, in public libraries, and in homes, and developing pro-
grams to encourage reading. The Association supports the Library
Services Bill, and participates locally in developing demonstration libraries in.
rural areas.
Foreign Languages AAW branches are concerned with the why, when, and how of
in Grades 1-12 introducing foreign languages in elementary and secondary schools.
The Gifted Child AAUW branches are taking an active part in organizing groups to
study the educational needs of gifted children. A study guide
and kit of reference materials on educating the gifted has proven popular.
Aing The Association's program on aging includes a kit that contains background
the aging, of legislation� and
material 1_1
material, surnmaries of Federal programs for
of interesting and unusual local prorpraras. AALAW was represented by five delegates
C)
to the White House Conference on Aging.
Consumer Problems The Association is concerned with educating the consumer in the
great variety of new processing and production techniques which
have developed since the war. Members are studying Federal and state programs on
behalf of the consumer.
'Mental Health More than a, quarter of the AAW branches have been working on mental
health -- contributing to public understanding through study groups
and committees that make use of book reviews, films, panel discussions, and radio$
30
Many have worked for adequate state facilities and services for care of the mentally
ill. The Association has cooperated with the Mental Health Board in conducting a
series of evaluations of mental health films., and AAUW groups have answered ques-
tions about the effectiveness of the films and of the discussion following. The
Association also participated in the Conference on Volunteer Services for
Psychiatric Patients called by the American Psychiatric Association.
Prior to this conference AAUW had organized a project of its own to investigate in
nine states the present role of the volunteer and his or her potential role in
providing services for psychiatric institutions. After the conference was called,
the Association directed its own findings to the larger group.
For University Women In keeping with World Refugee Year, AATJVJ branches contributed
Abroad funds to provide assistance for university refugee women dis-
placed by the war or escaping from iron curtain country dicta,-
torships, such as Hungany, This follows the pattern of AAUVaid through packages of
food, clothing, books, and the like', sent to university women during and after
1,4orld War II and the Korean War. The AATJW arranged distribution of the Freedom
House Bookshelf to IFbVJ federations in Asia., Africa.,, and Latin America for use in
school and college libraries. For the year 1960-61, the German Federation of
University `Jomen., in appreciation for AAUi assistance to German women, offered for
the second time the Agnes Von Zahn-Harnack Fellowship of 3000 German marks (about
'$725). This Fellowship was for award to an AATJVI member by the AAIMT Fellowships
Awards Cormiittee.
1ATomen and Their Money In answer to the need for a broad study program through
which women might find guidance for effectively meeting
their financial and economic responsibilities, the Association has developed a
money management study program and has published a -Money 114anagement, Portfolio.
This portfolio deals with general money m8nagement,, bank services, investments,
insurance, wills, and home ownership. It is appropriate for use by individuals
and study groups.
AAUW and College Branches are at work on a, f1crusade" to develop and spread better
Teaching appreciation of teaching in higher education as a career. AAUW
can do this better than most groups because members have the
necessary information about higher education., they are thoroughly and locally
organized, and they can reach families, who are the ones that set public standards.
Earned Doctorate Roster
To help colleges and universities locate women hicptDhly
qualified academically for teaching and administrative
positions, AA'UW maintains a Roster of Women Holding Earned Doctorates. Lists
of women holding Doctorates in specific fields are available on request to educa-
tional institutions.
Assessment of State
Arts Resources
The AAal Arts Resource Center provides
with a. guide by which they may assess
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resources for use bar their branches,
states have undertaken such an assessment.
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AAM'l State Divisions
the availability of arts
More than twenty-one