American Association of University Women arrives at MU

The group hopes to send members to the national convention.

By Maggie Nestor

Published Jan. 29, 2010

Starting this semester, young women on campus will have the opportunity to partake of the MU branch of American Association of University Women, a national group that strives for equality and pay equity for women in professional world.

After being approached by Anne Deaton, a small group of women began to work towards creating a student group affiliated with the Columbia AAUW branch.

Formed as a national group in 1881 to promote education and equity for women, AAUW prides itself on achievements such as funding Nobel Peace Prize winner Marie Curie and helping to pass Title IX.

"Our hopes are to improve and develop our women's leadership and professional networks by connecting them to this group, as well as participate in activism by partnering with other women's organizations," AAUW President Ilana Weiss said.

During its first semester as a student organization, the AAUW already has plans for several events for both its own members, as well as campus-wide events.

"This semester we're bringing a StartSmart workshop, where we are bringing a speaker, teaching soon-to-graduate college students about how to negotiate their salaries, to get equal salaries and to get what they to deserve," Weiss said.

March 14 will be the first StartSmart workshop at a state school. The MU AAUW will also be partnering with new branches at Stephens College and Columbia College.

AAUW Treasurer Camila Gumati said the workshop will be at little to no cost to students, but there are only 50 spots available.

"Right now we don't have set funding, so we've been asking for sponsorships in the community," Gumati said. "We have multiple partnerships that we are interested in for funding our workshop."

Other activities for the semester include weekly meetings, as well as a project to raise money for Haiti with the members of the department of women's and gender studies.

Weiss said AAUW hopes to send girls to the national convention held in Washington in June.

"We will be working with the Columbia branch and will be having a mentorship program so that our members can work with professionals in the community who are also involved with AAUW," Weiss said.

Deaton said AAUW sees this as one of the distinct advantages of this chapter.

"There are women in careers on this campus who want to mentor young women on campus on many issues," Deaton said. "Not just career issues, but life issues. How to balance work and family, what are the public policy issues out there that they can lift their voices about and become informed about them."

Getting involved in advocacy efforts and affecting women's issues such as equity, health care, discrimination, sexual harassment and education is the basis of this group.

"We want women to get more involved in advocacy and be aware of what's going on in order to be a real force," AAUW Vice President of Membership Brittany Jones said.

Through its upcoming workshops and mentorship programs, this chapter of AAUW plans to emphasize the importance of female leadership and how beneficial it can be to a career and successful life.

"It represents a skill building opportunity for young women on campus," Deaton said. "The chapter will be able to sponsor programs that build skills around pursuing careers, about helping women think through critical decision points in their life and about the value and responsibility to stay informed about public policy."