It was 1973. The women’s movement had effectively coalesced, the Watergate hearings had everyone glued to the TV, the war in Vietnam was over, and I was a stay-at-home mom with two children. I craved to speak a sentence with more than three words, including a compound-complex clause. I craved to have someone with whom I could discuss world events.
One evening while reading the newspaper, I saw an ad for an AAUW meeting. It sounded interesting and exciting, so I called two other moms in our neighborhood, and we ventured out together. After that meeting, Margaret, Sara, and I joined the AAUW West Chester (PA) Branch. We signed up to participate in the international relations group and the Reading is Fundamental program. The world became real to me again.
Margaret, Sara, and I often sat in our driveway until 1 a.m. energetically discussing and often disputing the issues plaguing the country after the international relations group’s monthly meetings. AAUW unlocked a mind that was becoming stagnant.
That was 37 years ago, and AAUW is still my organization du jour. The most valuable aspects of AAUW to me today are the chance to fund graduate fellowships, the ability to take action with the public policy department’s Two-Minute Activist tool, and most of all, the enduring friendships that I have made with dynamic women.
As the chair of the National Convention Host Committee, I am excited that members from all over the country will be coming to my backyard. I look forward to the 2011 AAUW National Convention, where we will gather to find ways to make the world a better place for our daughters and granddaughters. I eagerly anticipate accomplished speakers, informative workshops, lobby day on Capitol Hill, and just having fun with all of you! Plus, what’s not to like about Washington, D.C. — its history, its museums, and its food?
Join me at the 2011 convention as we celebrate AAUW and those who have advocated for women’s intellectual development for over a century.
This post is by Theresa Merkel, member of the Winchester, VA branch of AAUW, and chair of the 2011 AAUW National Convention Host Committee.
Theresa, what fond memories of our late night talks re: international relations – energetic for sure, and formative in creating my “world view”. I’m still fervently wishing for peace!
Truly, the world is a better place because of AAUW and its many, varied programs. Best wishes for a successful annual convention.
Margaret Doman
I had joined AAUW in 1968 because I was frustrated with working in the construction design business (all men) and finding the gender discrimination rampant. I also had three young children at home, so that didn’t offer much intellectual interaction. So when I discovered AAUW was a part of the modern women’s movement, it was what I was looking for — a place for conversation, friendship and for action on the many fronts of the social agenda. All of this is still a reason for joining, but we have become more of a “best-kept secret.”
Kay, thank you for your interest in helping with Convention!
Please email me at convention@aauw.org and Theresa and I will ensure that we connect with you and the ways to be involved.
If you are in the Washington DC area the Host Committee will be recruiting volunteers for a variety of roles at convention. But, you can certainly help by just promoting the event among your branch and fellow members!
What was it about having toddlers that made AAUW so attractive to so many of us? I’d been a “recent grad” members years earlier, but it was the need to be around people who used words of more than one syllable that drove me to become active. NOW why can’t we get that demographic this days?
Looking forward to convention…how can I help?
In 1973 I was a stay at home mom, as well. I had two toddlers and a six year old. Yes, Viet Nam was over, but my husband was gone for the year anyway. I knew very few people in the town. However, the one group I planned to get a babysitter for each month was AAUW. Thankfully, I found the branch very easy and have very good memories of the lonely year. Yes, I will join you at the 2011 convention.