The American Association of University advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.

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.

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.

American Association of University Women is a 501(c) (4) Corporation and due to a 2007 vote of the Bylaws will change this 125 year old organization.

As a result of the restructuring vote, AAUW and the 501c3 arm, AAUW Educational Foundation, will combine many of their assets and activities to form a streamlined, mission-driven organization with a single set of elected officers. This vote gives the boards a green light to move forward with strategic initiatives that will help create a viable and sustainable organization. To implement these dramatic changes, delegates approved a measure establishing a transitional board of directors and the composition of the 2009 board.

Historical facts about AAUW

The name was adopted in 1921 through the merger of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (formed in 1881) and the Southern Association of College Women. AAUW has a membership: more than 100,000 individual members, 1,300 branches, and 500 college/university institution members nationwide.

The Educational Foundation was established in 1958 to increase AAUW's philanthropic activities and promote educational opportunities and equity for women and girls through research, fellowships, grants, and special awards. The Educational Foundation is one of the world's largest sources of funding for graduate women.

The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, launched in 1981, supports women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education. The Leadership Training Institute began in 2002 to sponsor leadership conferences for college women leaders and other leadership events.

For information on the national American Association of University Women go to: http://www.aauw.org.