Overview of the Collection

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Related Material

Administrative Information

Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Plainfield Branch, 1964-2002

Series 2: New Jersey Division, 1992-2002

Series 3: National AAUW, 1991-1999, undated

A Finding Aid for the Records of the American Association of University Women [1964-2002, Undated], Bulk Dates [1992-1999]

Part of the Local Organizations Collection at the Plainfield Public Library

Finding aid prepared by Anna Henderson.

Biographical Note

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) [1964-2002, Undated] began in 1881 as the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, whose purpose was "to unite alumnae of different institutions in 'practical education work.'" The organization has now grown to over 100,000 members, 1,300 branches and 500 college and university partners.

The story of the American Association of University Women started in 1881 when Marion Talbot and Ellen H. Richards invite 15 alumnae of eight colleges to a November 28 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. They envisioned an organization in which women college graduates can band together to open doors of higher education to other women and to find wider opportunities to use their training.

The Association of Collegiate Alumnae, AAUW's forebearer, was formally organized on January 14, 1882, with 65 graduates of eight colleges and universities as founding members. Their purpose: to unite alumnae of different institutions in "practical education work." In 1907, the ACA celebrated its 25th anniversary in Boston; the Association had grown to include 3,639 members, 36 branches, and 24 colleges and universities approved for membership. In March 1921, the Southern Association of College Women (started in 1903) and the Association of Collegiate Alumnae merged to form the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The New Jersey Division was formed in 1927, four years before the 50th anniversary of the organization. The membership expanded to 36,800 women in 521 branches as well as 230 college and university members.

The organization has always taken an active role in promoting education and raising funds for achievement. In 1919, they urged the creation of the U.S. Department of Education and then in 1920 gave Nobel Prize-winning scientist Marie Curie $156,413 toward the purchase of one gram of radium.

Several committees were established to tackle key issues, such as the Social Studies Committee, which was created in 1936 to address a widespread interest in consumer problems and broader social and economic issues following the Great Depression. This committee exists today developing well-rounded programs concerning housing, individual liberties, consumer problems and mental health.

In 1917, the Committee on International Relations was created as World War I brings deeper interest in international affairs. Group study in this field gave rise to strong Association support for the League of Nations, the World Court, the United Nations, the Marshall Plan, cultural exchanges, the prevention of nuclear proliferation, and other measures on behalf of a constructive policy.

Members at the AAUW National Convention of 1955 voted to establish a separate foundation, to raise funds for fellowship programs and provide the financing for a new headquarters building. It was officially named the AAUW Educational Foundation, and was formally established on January 17, 1958 when the Certificate of Incorporation was signed under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of the District of Columbia. In 1988, the AAUW Educational Foundation establishes the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund for Women and Girls to offer teacher fellowships, commission research, and sponsor community action projects in the areas of math and science. The Education Foundation exists today as one of the organization's most successful projects.

AAUW members intended to maintain a single-sex membership until society is ready to grant women equality. However, in 1987, the Association extended membership to men who hold college degrees. Today there are "no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class." The educational requirement is holding at least an associate's degree; student memberships are also available for current undergraduates.

The Plainfield branch was known as "The College Club" until the formal name change to the "American Association of University Women, Plainfield Branch" in 1970. The branch recently joined forces with the Plainfield Public Library to hold a series of panel presentations on unusual career choices for girls and women.

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Scope and Contents

The Plainfield, NJ branch operates under the New Jersey division of the AAUW. It was known as "The College Club" until the formal name change to the "American Association of University Women, Plainfield Branch" in 1970. The branch recently joined forces with the Plainfield Public Library to hold a series of panel presentations on unusual career choices for girls and women. This collection consists of papers documenting the development and execution of this series, as well as official branch documents, branch and New Jersey Division activities, and national organization programs and research.

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Arrangement

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) [1964-2002, Undated] collection is arranged into three series:

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

The "American Association of University Women" collection is available for research.

Access is restricted to materials prepared by the Local History department staff. All materials must be viewed in the Plainfield Room and may not be removed to another area of the library without permission of the Library Director or designee. Materials must be handled carefully and kept in order. Materials must not be leaned upon, altered, folded, ripped, or traced upon. Marks may not be added or erased from materials. Materials must be returned directly to Local History department staff and inspected before the researcher leaves the Plainfield Room.

Restrictions on Use

One photocopy may be made (by Plainfield Public Library staff) of each document for the purpose of research; official Local History departmental reproduction fees may apply. Permission to publish must be obtained by the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees as delegated to the Library Director. Permission to publish does not constitute a copyright clearance. The researcher is responsible for further copyright restrictions. The Plainfield Public Library is not responsible for the misuse of copyrighted material.

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Related Material

Ladies at the crossroads: eighteenth-century women of New Jersey: a public service project of New Jersey Division, American Association of University Women. [American Association of University Women. New Jersey Division, 1978] NJR 301.412 LAD

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Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Persons:

Organizations:

Places:

Subjects:

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Physical Charateristics or Technical Requirements

This collection is entirely paper documents and does not require any technical equipment for use.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Identification of item; Date (if noted); American Association of University Women (AAUW) [1964-2002, Undated], Box and Folder Number; Local History Department, Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield, New Jersey.

Acquisition Information

The majority of this collection was donated by Charles Woolf of Morristown Rare Books in March 2007. The information on the AAUW Plainfield Branch’s collaboration with the Plainfield Public Library was compiled by the library in 2002.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Anna Henderson in February 2008. The finding aid was written by Anna Henderson in February 2008. Finding aid content follows the guidelines suggested by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

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Detailed Description of the Collection