AAUW (American Association of University Women) promotes education and equality for women. Founded in 1881 by 17 alumnae of 8 colleges, AAUW is open to all college graduates who have earned their associate’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
The AAUW Educational Opportunities Fund supports educational and lifelong learning opportunities that give women a chance for a lifetime of success.
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination.
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There are no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or socio-economic status.
Anne Arundel County Chapter of the AAUW
Every year, our chapter awards scholarship money to women transferring from a 2-year to a 4-year institution and to women continuing their college education. The money for these scholarships is raised by holding a used book sale for 5 days in November. All of the books sold at the sale are donated by the residents of Anne Arundel County, libraries, and businesses.
Approximately, 85% of the money raised at book sale is awarded to women who apply for and are chosen to receive one of the scholarships. Because of the generosity of the community, scholarships were awarded to 12 women after the 2020 used book sale.
In addition to awarding educational scholarships, the Anne Arundel County branch annually provides registration moneys for young college women who are student leaders at AACC and/or St. John’s College to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders held in early June at the University of Maryland.
The branch is also a member of the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women, which promotes legislation supporting women and family issues in Maryland. Several of our members join the National AAUW organization in lobbying federal legislators weekly, on Thursdays, when Congress is in session. The national organization has over 100,000 members who decide through referendum what legislation should be supported.