Anniversary Story -- by President Janet Heinicke 

On November 28^th 125 years ago a group of strong minded women, recently graduates from colleges in the northeastern part of the country, agreed to form an organization. They decided to call it the “Association of Collegiate Alumnae”. This handful of women, eight in number, were pioneers in every sense of the word, anticipating decades ahead of their generation the emerging needs that would occur in education for women; they were pioneers, insisting on equity to access in curriculum at the undergraduate level (no china painting or lampshade making if a girl wanted to study biology or prepare for a career in medicine!) These pioneering women insisted that there be equity in housing opportunities on campus. Long before the national accrediting associations were formed they created a "Committee on Standards" that did on site visits to assure women that there were equal opportunities for women faculty, equal opportunities for suitable housing, and uniformly high standards for performance. (No girly-girly stuff would be sufficient for this Committee on Standards!)

The early American Association of University Women pioneered in opening doors for women and girls. It established the (now) oldest foundation devoted to graduate level fellowships for women scholars, scoffing at the idea that women were not physically able to undertake graduate level work. The AAUW influenced public debate on critical social issues, and in the mid century championed issues in civil rights, worked later in the century toward the approval of Title 9 legislation and strongly supported equal access to public education for people of all racial groups. In mid century many states and branches supported kindergarten reforms and legislation to assure high standards in day care provision. When migrant working mothers found child care an issue, AAUW championed reforms.

The pioneering spirit still prevails in AAUW. On November 27, 2006 Governor Thomas Vilsack signed a proclamation declaring November 28^{th American} Association of University Women Day in Iowa. Across the state AAUW members have celebrated the occasion. The Des Moines celebrated with birthday cake and invited former Association President Mary Grefe to speak to them. She arrived at the occasion wearing the suit she wore at the 100^th anniversary celebration of the AAUW! Marshalltown branch celebrated with a community wide event; while Ames branch had a celebration which featured Peggy Faden their own member in concert. Waterloo branch celebrated with an event that addressed the cutting edge issue of minimum wage for working women through a dramatic reading based on a recently published book on the topic.

AAUW has never been reticent about addressing tough issues. Not once throughout it’s 125 year history. Now as the 126^th year begins a new strategic plan is underway. Ideas abound about changes in structure, changes which will address the challenges of new technology, workplace employment, utilization of technology and changes in family life. The Phoenix convention scheduled for June 29 to July 2 will address some of these issues in interesting and important ways. None of us will want to miss it.

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Iowa AAUW has celebrated AAUW's birthday and will continue to celebrate through the Association Convention in Phoenix. Click the images for larger photos.
 

Florine Swanson, Janet Heinicke, and Sandy Keist Wilson received Governor Vilsack's  proclamation declaring November 28^th American Association of University Women Day in Iowa. There they are with Lt. Governor Sally Pederson in her office:

 

 

Clarion Branch celebrated AAUW's anniversary with a proclamation by the Clarion Mayor and a portrayal of Marion Talbot by Jeanie Ahrens:

 

 

 

 

Marshalltown celebrated with a Mayor's proclamation and posted it on the Association website: http://www.aauw.org/images/aauw125th/iowaProclam.jpg

 

 

 

Denison Area celebrated by honoring their youngest member, Sarah Cox, and their oldest
member, Alice Watje, who is 100! 

 

Cedar Falls held a Christmas Open House, displaying AAUW's history, and invited prospective members.

Nancy Henderson, Treasurer and Jane Close, President

 

How did your branch celebrate our birthday? Submit your photos or stories to website manager.

 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.