American Association of University Women, New York State Division records
Biographical/Historical note
On January 14, 1882 the Association of Collegiate Alumnae was founded with the goal to consolidate many college women's groups into one national organization. The New York State division of the association was formed in 1902. In 1921 the American Association of Collegiate Alumnae changed its name to the American Association of University Women (AAUW). As stated in its constitution the purpose of the association is "to enable college women to continue their own intellectual growth, to further the advancement of women, and to discharge the special responsibilities to society of those who have enjoyed the advantages of higher education."
The New York State Division of the American Association of University Women serves as a liaison between the national association and the local branches throughout New York state. The Division coordinates state-wide projects, promotes legislation, provides leadership training, shares information on successful branch projects, and informs its membership of pertinent state and national events.
Scope and Contents
The archive of the New York State Division of the American Association of University Women consists of agendas and minutes for board meetings and conventions, information sent to branch presidents, reports, and printed material.
Incomplete runs of two of the Division's publications, AAUW New York Leader and AAUW New Yorker are also on file in the Department.
The first ten boxes of the archive were placed in the University of Rochester Library by the New York State Division of the American Association of University Women in June, 1977; box 11 was added to the collection in May, 1979; box 12 was added in July, 1986 and subsequently.
In 1993 more materials concerning the American Association of University Women, New York State Division were added to the University of Rochester's Rare Books and Special Collections' holdings. Boxes 13-15 continue this collection with correspondence, memos, materials and publications from the National Association. The national association has three distinct sections: Association, Legal Advocacy Fund and Educational Foundation. Each performs a particular function with the common interest of the advancement of women and education. The Association serves as a national network to release information and guidance to promote education and social action at the local, state, national and international levels. The Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) provides financial aid and a support system for women seeking legal redress for sex discrimination in higher education. The Educational Foundation awards millions of dollars in grants, fellowships, and awards to help women advance in their academic and professional lives.
Boxes 16-25 deal primarily with the correspondence, mailings, individual branches projects and publications of the New York State division of this organization. In box 17 the majority of the material is correspondence (1970-1989) and information of the Corporate Representative- a women faculty member, administrator or alumna to serve as liaison between the institution and AAUW. Boxes 18-20 are comprised of the individual branches throughout the state. The last two boxes contain the programs and letters from the Division Conventions, 1954-1992.
In boxes 26-36 the materials are the financial records of the New York State Division of the organization. The majority of the records include the years 1983-1995; although some of the tax returns date back into the 1950's. The information is divided into sections that contain tax return forms (the 990 form which is used for tax exempt organizations), vouchers and disbursements of funds along with reports of branch membership dues. Ledgers were kept from year to year, however most of them are not complete. The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections received these materials on February 12, 2001.
Boxes 36-58 include annual reports, meeting minutes, branch initiatives and policy statements.
Creator
- American Association of University Women. New York Division (Organization)
Dates
- Creation: 1920-2013
Language of Materials
English
Extent
58 box(es)
Access
The American Association of University Women, New York State Division Records is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Use
In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], American Association of University Women, New York State Division Records, D.70, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Genre / Form
Subject
- American Association of University Women. New York Division (Organization)
- Title
- American Association of University Women, New York State Division records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library
