Membership article           Outstanding Ladies in our History

As I write this article, it is International Women’s Day. This brings to mind the outstanding AAUW members in our history. AAUW began in November 1881 with a goal of joining together to help other women break through educational barriers and attend and graduate college as well as assist those who had already graduated. 

Marie Curie was not an AAUW member, but she benefited from the AAUW when a committee, International Federation of University Women American committee, within AAUW took on the project of raising the money for a gram of radium so she could continue her research.  They raised $156,413.54 for her. The radium cost $100,000. After her death, the remaining funds were granted to AAUW to fund the Marie Curie Fellowship.

Jane Addams was an AAUW member. She established the Hull House (a settlement house) in Chicago, and became the 1st American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in 1931.

Two AAUW members were on Joseph McCarthy’s famous blacklist, and he considered the organization itself a threat calling our members “The Pink Ladies”. The two members were Esther Brunauer ( AAUW fellow) of the state department, and Judge Dorothy Kenyon (vice-president of AAUW national board). McCarthy accused the women of being tied to communist front organizations. He felt AAUW operated in the manner of a communist front organization because of its “progressive ideals towards education and socialist leanings”.  AAUW spent much time and money into the mid 1950’s as it defended these two members, and the organization itself against his accusations.

Eleanor Roosevelt was also an AAUW member. She had been educated privately and had not attended college. However, she received 45 honorary degrees in her lifetime, and the AAUW membership criteria included a ruling that stated membership was open to women who had received honorary degrees from a list of approved colleges. (This is also how Lilly Ledbetter is an AAUW member.)  Mrs. Roosevelt actually attended numerous branch meetings at various locations as she traveled across the country, and spoke at AAUW national convention. 

We have many hard working women in our organization that have paved the way for us. It is an organization that I am proud to be a member.

(Newsletter image from AAUWMI’s Card Fundraiser and can be purchased here)