About Us

The American Association of University Women (AAUW), founded in 1881, is the nation's leading organization advocating equity for women and girls. Its national membership of 80,000 seeks to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. People of every race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, and level of physical ability are invited to join.

The young organization's second branch was established in San Francisco in 1886.  By 1921, with thirteen active branches in the state, branch leaders saw a need for a statewide organization.  The constitution for AAUW California was approved in October 1921. 

AAUW California is the state's most active and diverse organization for women with nearly 13,000 members in 140 branches, plus over 5,000 members-at-large.

 

AAUW Funds

The AAUW Funds provide educational opportunities and equity for woman and girls through research and support of fellowship and grants programs, including International Fellowships, American Fellowships, Selected Professions Fellowships and Research and Projects Grants.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Fund is a special fund under AAUW Funds which supports research on gender equity in education. 

The Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF)combats sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace through community and campus outreach programs, a resource library, online advocacy tools, and various research reports.

California's Gloria Weston Campus Outreach Fund, established in 2004, is used to create opportunities for education and discussion on topics of equity, discrimination and tenure at California universities and colleges.

Other funds include Public Policy and Leadership Programs.

 

AAUW and Public Policy

AAUW also encourages woman to become involved in every level of the political process. We actively support legislation on educational equity and diversity in public schools, pay equity, reproductive choice, child care, school-based health care, civil rights, and responsible funding for public education.

To further its objectives AAUW has established the Women's Network for Change, a coalition of 28 organizations working together to effect change.

Public Policy is a major focus of AAUW CA.  An important part of this focus is the employment of  Charlotte Newhart our effective lobbyist for legislation on issues regarding women and girls.

 

California State Programs

High school students compete locally for prizes and the opportunity to become one of three finalists to present at the AAUW CA convention.  The state-level first place winner will receive $500, while the second and third place winners will receive $300 each.

Parents, Teachers and Students: If you are not familiar with the AAUW branch in your area, please contact the Speech Trek Coordinator. 

  •  Tech Trek - Math and Science Camp for Girls

    With an initial $5,000 EF grant AAUW California established Tech Trek, a high-tech math, science and computer camp for 7th grade girls. Marie Wolbach was the founder of Tech Trek.  In June, 1998, 150 campers from across California, spent five days at Tech Trek on the Stanford University campus experiencing field trips and a full program of hands-on learning presented by a specially selected faculty. Since then the program has expanded yearly, and camps are now held on multiple college campuses. In the summer of 2010 camps will be held at Stanford University, Sonoma State University, CSU Fresno, Whittier College, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego and UC Irvine.

    Please contact the Tech Trek Coordinators for more information.

  • Financial Literacy - helping women and girls be financially fit for life. Currently, we're presenting $tart $mart workshops. 

      Please contact financialliteracydir@aauw-ca.org for more information.

 

California Special Projects Fund

Unique to California, our Special Projects Fund is a 501c(3) tax-exempt corporation which serves as a pass-through fund, enabling state projects to collect tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations without having to establish themselves as a separate non-profit entity.

 

Updated: 08/29/2010