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The American
Association of University Women promotes equity for all women and girls,
lifelong education, and positive societal change.
AAUW, founded in 1881, is open to all graduates who hold an
Associate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or
university. In principle and 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, or disability. The
association proudly celebrates its 125th Anniversary in 2006
AAUW is composed of two corporations:
The main
corporation contains 3 entities:
The Membership, a 100,000+ member organization
with more than 1,300 branches nationwide.
AAUW Funds,
which funds pioneering research on girls and education, community action
projects, and fellowships and grants for outstanding women around the globe.
THE AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund,
(a program of the AAUW Funds) provides funding and a support
system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher
education. AAUW Funds work hard to combat sex discrimination through community and
campus outreach programs, a resource library of online advocacy tools, a
Legal Referral Network and various research reports.
AAUW provides a group that lobbies and advocates for
education and equity.
The Deerfield Branch of AAUW was founded in 1958. It was renamed the
Deerfield Area Branch in 1987 because members live not only in Deerfield but in surrounding communities. Currently,
there are members who reside in
Highland Park, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff,
Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Libertyville and Glenview, etc.
The Deerfield Area Branch is proud to be a charter member of the "Eleanor
Roosevelt Fund" which supports greater participation by women and girls
in actively shaping the future. The fund stresses partnerships between women
and girls in activities which focus on dissolving barriers in education,
promoting greater understanding of the way women and girls think, and
transcending the boundaries between generations, races, classes and cultures.
In addition to our AAUW Funds and Legal Advocacy Fund contributions, the
branch gives an amount of money specified each year to a deserving female
senior graduating at each of our three area high schools. The recipients are
chosen by the specific High School based on their scholastic achievements and
in some cases financial need.
Deerfield Area Branch Community Programs
1990 - Awarded $1000 Scholarship to a local woman returning to college.
1991 - Co-sponsored with League of Women Voters a program "Women in
Politics".
1993 - Co-sponsored a community program on "Street Smarts: How to Avoid
Being a Victim," by Chicago Police Detective J. J. Bittenbinder.
1995 - In conjunction with Deerfield
School District 109,
provided the program "Examine Your Options," a career conference
for girls in junior high school which highlighted careers in math and
science.
1995 - Sponsored a community program, "Gender Equity at Home and in the
Classroom," by Dr. Irene Beck.
1998 - Sponsored joint program with the League of Women Voters,
"Candidate Forum for State Representative for the 60th District".
1999 - Organized "Get In the Game, Girls," a program for junior
high school girls encouraging participation in sports.
2002 – Seminar on Social Security and Financial Management for Women. Panel
discussion on the special needs and current solutions for women.
2007 – Sponsored a community program on
Immigration with other area AAUW branches and the League of Women Voters
2009 – Sponsored a community program on
"Future Careers in Politics - A Program for Young Women Interested In Political
Careers" presented by Susan Garrett
Every year the branch networks with branches from surrounding communities at
a luncheon. Speakers have included Bill Kurtis, Dawn Clark Netsch, Elizabeth
Brackett and Deborah Carr and Illinois Supreme Court Justice, Anne Burke.
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