“Welcome” to the Harrisonburg Branch of the
American Association of University Women (AAUW)!

                                        WHO ARE WE

Founded in 1881, AAUW (American Association of University Women) has been championing gender equity and empowering women from its inception.
AAUW-Harrisonburg, which was founded in 1929, is an affiliate of both AAUW Virginia and AAUW national.  We are in the Northwest District, together with branches in Winchester, Fredericksburg, and Greater Richmond.  By joining AAUW, you belong to a community of 170,000 like-minded individuals who are committed to breaking through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

                                WHAT DO WE STAND FOR

Our Mission:  To advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.
Our Vision:  Equity for all.
Our Values:  Nonpartisan.  Fact-based.  Integrity.  Inclusion and Intersectionality.

                                      WHAT DO WE DO

  • We hold monthly meetings with guest speakers on AAUW priority issues and other timely topics, which are generally open to the public (see link for Schedule).
  • We meet for “Casual Lunches” at local restaurants (see link for Schedule).
  • We enjoy socializing at our annual Wine & Cheese Reception in August and our Holiday Tea in December.
  • We challenge and broaden our knowledge through our Diversity Discussion Group, which meets monthly to discuss books and articles on diversity, equity, and inclusion (see link for dates and book list).
  • We participate in GOTV “Get Out the Vote” campaign, including new citizens.
  • We present the $ 1,000 Crystal Theodore Scholarship every year to a graduating female senior from a local city or county high school, to be used in pursuit of a college degree.  We also present an annual $1,000 scholarship to a woman with an associate degree from Blue Ridge Community College who is transferring to James Madison University in the fall.
  • We continue to support the annual STEM Career Conference (MadiSTEM) for young women in grades 6-12, sponsored by James Madison University Mathematics Department.
  • We collaborate with other organizations, such as the International Women’s Day Parade and Program held yearly in downtown Harrisonburg, and support the VaRatifyERA campaign.
  • We make a donation to our public library, or to her favorite organization, to commemorate deceased members.
  • We donate supplies to Open Doors, a homeless shelter;  Gemeinshaft House for Women to avoid incarceration; First Step, a crisis intervention center; local Boys and Girls Club.
  • We promote support for “Sunday Science for Girls” held on the first Sunday of the month at 2pm to 3:30pm at the John C. Wells Planetarium at James Madison University.  FREE

                                   Why You Should Join

  • You will meet and get to know interesting, dynamic, educated women
  • You believe in gender equity and your dues and donations will support advocacy at the state and national levels
  • You will have opportunities develop and use your skills as an advocate through such initiatives as “The Two-Minute Advocate”
  • You will have opportunities to develop and use your leadership skills as a member of our Board of Directors
  • You will have access to a variety of AAUW discounts and perks.  (Use this link to access the list:  https://www.aauw.org/rsoources/member/why-join/discounts-and-perks/)

                   How to Become a Member of Our Branch

Membership in AAUW is open to anyone holding a two-year associate degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent (RN).  In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team and board of directors.  There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

First time new members get a discount on their first year dues!

Undergraduates or degree-seeking graduates enrolled in full-time or part-time programs can join AAUW at a special low rate and enjoy a range of benefits to help them succeed on campus and after graduation.

To join our branch, go to “Members” and then to “Membership”.  Click on “Membership Application Form” at the bottom of the page.
Or request a membership application form from Laura Dansby or Kim Shipe.

 

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Schedule of ZOOM Meetings of our Branch:

Board Meetings:  Held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (every other month) at 3pm or 7pm.

Diversity Book Discussion Meetings:  Held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 3pm or 7pm via ZOOM.  A list of books (or themes) to read is posted on our Book Club page.  ===========================================================================

               AAUW Harrisonburg Board Members – as of July 1, 2024

President  Laura Zarrugh
Finance Officer Sue Gier
Co-VP’s for Membership & Publicity  Laura Dansby & Kim Shipe
Co-VP’s for Programs   Mary Perramond & Judy Sullivan
Secretary   Cindy Crim & Elayne Smith
Scholarship   Patricia Warner, Sylvia Rogers, & Kim Shipe
Public Policy   Sylvia Rogers
JMU Liaison   Samantha Collier
Webmaster & Facebook   Rosemarie Palmer
Archivist   Susan Wheaton
Book Clubs Chair  Laura Zarrugh
Publicity Kim Shipe & Rosemarie Palmer
Yearbook  Sue Gier & Rosemarie Palmer (a listing of our members is in our annual Yearbook and also on our website, which requires a privacy password that is in your Yearbook).  This is emailed to all members annually.  A paper copy may be requested from Sue Gier.

NOTE:  Our archival materials are stored in the Carrier Library Special Collections Section at James Madison University.  They can be viewed by making an appointment.

 

 

For additional Information:
Contact Sylvia Rogers at srogers1nm@aol.com