features members of diverse ages and backgrounds discussing why AAUW still has work left to do — because equity is still an issue.
AAUW MISSION STATEMENT
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AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. ***************************************
AAUW Corporate Overview Who We Are For more than 125 years, the American Association of University Women has been one of the nation’s leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW is composed of three corporations: the Association and the AAUW Educational Foundation, and a supporting affiliate of the Association, the AAUW Leadership and Training Institute. Through its nationwide network, AAUW opens doors for women and girls and influences public debate on critical social issues such as education, civil rights, and workplace equity. AAUW sponsors community programs, publishes groundbreaking research on women and girls, is one of the world’s largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, and fights sex discrimination in all levels of education. Mission AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. This joint mission statement was adopted by both the Association and the AAUW Educational Foundation boards in October 2006. History AAUW began in 1881, when Marion Talbot called a meeting of 17 women graduates—the first generation of alumnae. The purpose was unique: to support each other and future generations of women in higher education. The Association of Collegiate Alumnae was formally established in 1882, merging with the Southern Association of College Women and the Western Association of Collegiate Alumnae in 1921 to create the American Association of University Women. What AAUW Does AAUW Association: The power of AAUW stems from its approximately 100,000 members, 1,000 branches, and 500 college and university partners nationwide. Branch members and members-at-large have an associate’s or equivalent, bachelor’s, or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Members range from recent college graduates to women in a variety of professions. Student affiliates are working toward their first degree. Higher education institutions can join AAUW through the college/university partnership program. Association activities focus on several areas: • Hosting programs that promote opportunities for women and girls in schools, at work, and in local communities. Training tomorrow’s leaders through professional development conferences, workshops, and materials, including the AAUW National Conference for College Women Student Leaders and the biennial AAUW National Convention • Mobilizing voters on issues of concern to women and their families through the AAUW Voter Education Campaign and Woman-to-Woman Voter Turnout program • Informing and influencing local, state, and federal policy-makers on AAUW’s policy priorities, including a strong system of public education; affordable, quality higher education; Title IX, reproductive rights, affirmative action, and other civil rights; a fair and balanced judiciary; work-place equity and equal pay; and retirement security • Convening coalitions with diverse groups, educators, parents, and businesses AAUW Educational Foundation: The Educational Foundation is one of the world’s largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women. Established in 1958, the Educational Foundation • Awards about $4 million each year in fellowships, grants, and awards to help women achieve their goals and to promote equity in schools and communities. More than 8,000 women from more than 130 nations have received support from the Educational Foundation. • Conducts landmark research exploring issues concerning women, girls, and education. Recent reports include Women at Work (2003), Tenure Denied: Cases of Sex Discrimination in Academia (2004), Gains in Learning, Gaps in Earnings (2005), and Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus (2005). Established in 1981, the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, a program of the AAUW Educational Foundation, provides funding and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination, as well as proactive campus programming to stop discrimination before it starts. LAF is the nation’s largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination in higher education, including sexual harassment, pay inequity, denial of tenure and promotion, and inequality in women’s athletics programs through the following: • Financial support for sex discrimination lawsuits against colleges and universities • Rewards to programs and leaders that improve the climate for women on campus and off • A network of volunteer attorneys and social scientists who consult with women on legal strategy, resources, and the strength of current or potential cases • Outreach to campuses and communities to raise awareness about sex discrimination in higher education AAUW Programmatic Theme The Association board and the AAUW Educational Foundation board approved a cross-corporate programmatic theme in 2005: Education as the Gateway to Women’s Economic Security. This commitment to build a coordinated portfolio of AAUW programs serves the mission of AAUW, supports and engages members and prospective members, and is designed to move the organization forward in a focused and strategic manner. According to research from a wide variety of sources, economic security is one of the main issues of interest and concern for all women. The issue’s appeal transcends demographic differences with high interest levels among AAUW members and nonmembers and spans age, race, income, and regional differences. The theme focuses on education and women’s economic security in three areas—campus/higher education, workplace equity, and community/lifelong learning. It serves as a guide for new AAUW programs to be developed at the national level and refined and implemented by states, branches, and other institutional and community partners, in much the same way that many of AAUW’s most successful research and program initiatives have been structured in the past. Governance Boards of directors govern each corporation in accordance with its distinct charters and bylaws. The Association Board of Directors consists of three officers and seven directors. The Educational Foundation president and AAUW executive director serve ex officio. The officers and five board members are elected by the membership at the Association’s biennial convention. Two regional directors appointed by the 10 regional directors also serve on the board. The AAUW Educational Foundation Board of Directors consists of five officers and six directors, with the Association president and AAUW executive director serving ex officio. Officers and three directors are elected by the membership at the Association’s biennial convention; three directors are appointed by the board. Professional Staff Executive Director—An executive director oversees both corporations. Management Team—The Management Team consists of the executive director and heads of key staff departments. Functional Staff—Employees cover the following functional areas: • Cross-corporate technical and support: communications, finance and administration, development, and information systems • Association: membership, programs, and public policy and government relations • Educational Foundation: fellowship and grants programs, research, and Legal Advocacy Fund operations and programs Structure and Tax Status The membership Association is a 501(c)(4) corporation with a supporting 501(c)(3) affiliate called the AAUW Leadership and Training Institute. The AAUW Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund was established as a separate corporation and then merged with the AAUW Educational Foundation in 2005. It is now a program of the Educational Foundation. While each corporation has its own bylaws, budget, and board of directors, both are committed to advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Sources of Support The Association is supported by member dues, affinity and other nondues revenue programs, and individuals committed to its work. The Association’s affiliate, the AAUW Leadership and Training Institute, accepts corporate and foundation grants, federal grants and contracts, and gifts from individuals. The Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund are supported by individual, corporate, and foundation gifts and grants. June 2007 1111 Sixteenth St. N.W. • Washington, DC 20036 202/785-7700 • Fax 202/872-1425 • TDD 202/785-7777 • helpline@aauw.org • www.aauw.org
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