History

The AAUW Lodi branch was chartered in 1959 and incorporated in 1962. Charter members devoted many months to organization under the direction of the first president, Beth Haden.

 

The national association was founded in 1881. There is AAUW activity at the local, state, and national levels. The purpose of AAUW includes continuing education for its members; advancement of women and girls; and service to the community. AAUW administers the oldest and largest non-university program of graduate fellowships for women in the U.S.

 

California AAUW was organized in 1921 and has more than 180 active branches. Due to its membership size, the state of California is one of the ten national regions in AAUW. California AAUW is sub-divided into eight districts. The San Joaquin District reaches from Lodi to Amador, south to the Tehachapi Mountains, and from the coast range to the Nevada border.

 

The Lodi Branch fundraising contributes to the Education Foundation (EF) and Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF). Each year the branch also provides scholarships for middle school girls to attend science and technology Tech Trek camp at CSU Fresno. AAUW activities include monthly meetings, special interest groups, and fundraising activities. The branch participates in community projects and provides annual scholarships to local high school girls.

 

The Lodi Branch was responsible for the establishment of: Family Life Education program in Lodi public schools, the Friends of the Lodi Library, and the Lodi office of the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County, which was funded in part through a grant awarded by the Educational Foundation of AAUW.

 

AAUW is open to all persons who hold associate or baccalaureate degrees from accredited colleges or universities and to graduates of foreign institutions recognized by the International Federation of University Women.