American Association of University Women
A group is working to re-establish the Kent Branch of American Association of University Women. Initiatives discussed on a board level so far for the Kent Branch include assisting women students at the graduate and undergraduate level.  The AAUW Educational Foundation is one of the world's largest sources of funding for graduate women; the Educational Foundation provides $4.5 million in funding for more than 250 fellowships, grants, and special awards to outstanding women in the 2008-09 academic year. Nationwide, AAUW has 100,000 members, 1,000 branches, and over 500 college and university partner members. AAUW uses its powerful voice on critical issues affecting women and girls.  Based in Washington, D.C., AAUW provides a voice for women and girls on vital education, social, economic, and political,  issues including civil rights, affirmative action, reproductive choice, sex discrimination, Title IX, health care, and hate crimes

AAUW membership consists of individual and college/university members. If you hold an associate's or equivalent, bachelor's, or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university, you can join AAUW as an individual (member-at-large) or as a member of one of AAUW's 1,000 branches.  If you are an undergraduate in a two-or four-year regionally accredited educational institution, you can join as a student affiliate of a branch or a student-affiliate-at-large.  At $49 a year for national members and $17 for undergraduate student affiliates, AAUW is an affordable way to strengthen a resume or vita and have an inside track on financial and legal assistance available. Making dues at the local level both affordable for members and supportive of local programs is a goal of our new Kent AAUW group.  In the meantime, visit http://www.aauw.org  for more information about the national organization. 

Update as of 10/21/09: Our meeting was held Oct. 21 and hosted by the Women’s Resource Center.  Those attending included a nice mix across the Kent State campuses and greater Kent communities including faculty, students and staff.  Agreement among those of us present was that professional development would be among the key components of Kent AAUW Branch goals. Including social activism as a focus of the group was also discussed and will be included in future discussions.  The topics of goals and purpose were explored as well as the development of a routine for the chapter that would be helpful (when and where the group would meet and the structure of meetings). 

Between now and the next meeting set for Tuesday, November 17 at 3:00 at the Williamson Alumni Center on the Kent Campus, the following will be explored: 

• Reviewing a template of by-laws as provided by AAUW national that can best be incorporated into the needs of a local Kent AAUW Branch.  
• Checking with national AAUW on procedures for reestablishing the Kent Branch. Once this is accomplished, we hope to be able to obtain a list of at-large members and notify them of plans to re-establish the Kent Branch of AAUW.  
• Inquiring with administrative offices at Kent State on the appointment of a corporate delegate from the university to national AAUW.  

In the meantime, any questions about Kent AAUW Branch can be directed to Heather Adams, Director of the Women’s Resource Center, at 330-672-9230 or hadams@kent.edu, or Margaret Garmon, Instructor, School of Communication Studies, at (330) 678-1450 or mgarmon@kent.edu.  An AAUW listserv has been started for discussion and updates; please contact Heather to be added to that listserv. 

We look forward to keeping the momentum going and seeing you at the next meeting. Your ideas and input are very important to us!

Professional Women of Kent State University has been in existence on the Kent State University campus since 1981. The primary purpose of the organization is to support the basic mission of the University, which "affirmatively encourages diversity," by promoting the professional development of women at Kent State University. Membership is open to all past and present faculty, administrators, civil service employees, and graduate students at Kent State who have a concern about women's issues in higher education. One benefit of membership is the opportunity to become part of a group that cultivates networking among women employees at Kent State. Our goal, as professional women, is to gain visibility and leadership skills by becoming involved with other women on campus.

For information about PWKSU membership, please visit the PWKSU website at:  http://dept.kent.edu/pwksu/.