History 2001-2011

AAUW of Wisconsin

Advancing equity for women and girls since its founding in 1921

A History

 2001–2011 Supplement

Remember when we had to fight for the vote? When a woman couldn’t own property in her own right, and when colleges were closed to her? Well, of course you don’t. Those fights were fought by generations no longer alive.  But perhaps you do recall when Rowe versus Wade was debated in the streets, as well as in the courts, or when girls’ sports teams were items on our wish lists rather than realities on our playing fields or in our gyms, courts, and pools? Or maybe you have a relative or friend who wasn’t admitted to her chosen field or denied a promotion of influence in a corporation or university in spite of being highly qualified.

There isn’t a branch, a board, a committee that would not benefit from an AAUW Mission audit…setting aside a meeting, an hour, or even a few minutes to raise the group’s collective consciousness, reminding members that the reason AAUW has been so successful since 1881 in encouraging girls and women toward their educational and personal goals is because we adhere to those ideals that founded our existence, to the original statements espousing diversity, equity, educational excellence, and societal change. We demonstrate these beliefs with our lives by placing our money, our efforts, and our reputations where our hearts are. Laboring toward these goals inspires others to achieve them.
Dodie Stoneburner, AAUW member, reprinted from Badger Briefs, Winter 2003

Preface

This 2001-2011 supplement to the history of AAUW of Wisconsin has been compiled at the direction of the state board to provide a permanent record of the programs, activities, and development of AAUW of Wisconsin.

This is the sixth update of the AAUW of Wisconsin history. The first history recorded the division’s first forty years from 1921-1961 and was compiled by Anita Waltrio Crust. Mary Tone compiled the supplement covering the years 1961-1971, Cecelia Coenan the 1971-1981 supplement, Terry Quinn the 1981-1991 supplement, and Carol Ebel the 1991-2001 supplement.

The materials used to record this history supplement of AAUW of Wisconsin were gathered from the following sources:

  • Badger Briefs
  • State convention programs
  • State and branch leaders directories
  • Past state presidents and leaders
  • Current state board members
  • AAUW website
  • AAUW of Wisconsin website
  • Past state historical supplements

This history supplement highlights and documents the record of AAUW of Wisconsin rather than that of branches or individual members. It is our hope that branches will be motivated to compile a history of their branch and be inspired by the tireless work on behalf of women and girls of those members who have contributed in the past.

Nancy L. Schulz, Historian
AAUW of Wisconsin

AAUW and AAUW of Wisconsin Celebrate Founding Anniversaries   

The decade covered by this AAUW of Wisconsin history supplement, covering the years 2001-2011, saw American Association of University Women  (AAUW) and AAUW of Wisconsin each celebrate anniversaries important to their founding. In 2006 AAUW celebrated its 125th anniversary since the founding of its forebearer the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA) in 1881. In that year seventeen women who had defied society’s expectations by earning college degrees met in Boston to organize “an association of women college graduates.” The ACA went on to absorb the Western Association of College Alumnae in 1889. When the strong ACA merged with the Southern Association of College Women in 1921, the nascent nationwide organization took the new name AAUW.

While branches within the state began even earlier, AAUW of Wisconsin marks its founding to the same 1921 year as AAUW’s establishment and in 2006 the state division celebrated its 85th anniversary. The first Wisconsin branch of the ACA, the Milwaukee branch, formed in 1896, and was followed by Madison (1908), Oshkosh (1908), Appleton (1913), Beloit (1914 ), Superior, and Wausau (1921). When the ACA merged with the Southern Association of College Women to become a nationwide organization with the name AAUW in 1921, the above seven Wisconsin branches of ACA joined to form what was then called the AAUW Wisconsin Division, but is hereafter in this history supplement referred to by its current title, AAUW of Wisconsin.

Preview

This history supplement of AAUW of Wisconsin during the years 2001-2011 is divided into three parts. Part one looks outward, part two looks inward, and part three concludes with a look ahead.

We begin with part one and an outward looking focus in chapters one through four. In chapter one we note the diverse events sponsored by AAUW of Wisconsin during these years: state conventions, legislative/public policy days, voter education days, and workshops. In chapter two, we examine three of the many strong partnerships AAUW of Wisconsin has forged with other Wisconsin organizations working to improve the status of women and girls: Wisconsin Women=Prosperity, Wisconsin Girls Collaborative Project, and Wisconsin College/University partners. In chapter three, we explore AAUW of Wisconsin’s involvement with three international initiatives: International Federation of University Women, Central Asia Institute, and Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners. In chapter four, we take a close look at AAUW fund development under its two arms – the Educational Foundation including the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund, and the Legal Advocacy Fund.

Part two changes our direction to look inward and unfolds in chapters five through seven. In chapter five we showcase the organizational nuts and bolts of AAUW of Wisconsin including, programs, communication avenues such as our newsletter the Badger Briefs, our commitment to diversity, and membership challenges and initiatives. In chapter six, we focus on leadership as we showcase our involvement with the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, and recognize leaders at district and state levels.  In chapter seven we highlight the vital role AAUW of Wisconsin plays within AAUW as seen through recognition we have earned from AAUW, our participation in AAUW regional conferences and national conventions, and the commendable service outstanding women from AAUW of Wisconsin have made and continue to make to AAUW at the national level.

Having completed our look outward and our look inward, in part three we conclude this AAUW of Wisconsin: A History, 2001-2011 Supplement in the epilogue with a brief look ahead.

Before we begin, the humble writer of this history supplement offers the following message to the reader: As you read this history I am confident you will discover, as I did in researching and writing it, that “many of the issues for which AAUW has provided strong leadership in the past are just as relevant today,” as notes the welcome to AAUW’s Online Museum. Just as AAUW has at the national level, so has AAUW of Wisconsin at the state level, risen to provide strong leadership on recurringly relevant issues throughout its history. This history supplement is a closeup of AAUW of Wisconsin’s inspiring leadership during the years 2001-2011. Look back with me now over the decade as we see AAUW of Wisconsin women, including sometimes even ourselves, leading with our lives – demonstrating our belief in equity for women and girls “by placing our money, our efforts, and our reputations where our hearts are.” Like I am, may you also be inspired by the view!

Chapter One – Events
Chapter Two – Partnerships
Chapter Three – International
Chapter Four – Fund Development
Part Two