As the Greater Whittier Area Branch of AAUW celebrates its 97th year, it is a good time to be reminded of the beginnings of the national organization and Whittier’s founding some 25 years later. The text below was written during the 1947-48 presidency of Mrs. Fenner Stickney:
“The American Association of University Women (originally called the Association of Collegiate Alumnae) was founded in 1899; its avowed purposes were to raise standards and increase opportunities for the education of women, and to encourage and help educated women to use their training both for the enrichment of their own lives and for the betterment of society as a whole. More than 93,000 women are now striving to carry out this policy of “Practical work in education.” The Association has continually stood and worked for enlarged opportunities for women, and against discriminations that affect their employment; it has striven for high standards in education, and endeavored through study and action to help in the solution of social and economic problems. Through a continued systematic study of International Relations it has aimed at building an enlightened public opinion as a basis for action on international issues. Believing that well-qualified women are themselves the best argument for women’s advancement, a major project of the association has been the offering of graduate fellowships to gifted women, and a million-dollar Fellowship Endowment is now almost completed. A number of International Study Grants bring highly qualified young women from other lands to study in our American universities”.
Whittier Branch of A.A.U.W. had its beginning in the summer of 1925, when Mrs. Walter Dexter, wife of the president of Whittier College, persuaded Dr. Mary Hill of the college faculty to include in her eastern trip a visit to National Headquarters in Washington for the necessary data. On September 10, 1925, seventeen women representing, twelve different colleges, met in Mrs. Dexter’s home for the orientation meeting. In the early years most meetings of the organization were held on the college campus, and in 1929 the State Convention was held at Whittier College, with Whittier as the hostess branch.
Ann Topjon, Ellen Peck Historians
BRANCH HISTORY
The AAUW Whittier Branch, founded September 30, 1925, and is one of the oldest branches in the nation. Since its inception, it has had a long-standing commitment to the advancement of women, international relations, education, cultural interests, and the community. The Whittier Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been active in Whittier for the past 97 years. The branch has contributed a wealth of talent, untold volunteer hours and a fortune of monetary support to the community. The Whittier Branch of AAUW is a five star branch that has done much to further education and make the greater Whittier area a pleasant community. Throughout the years Whittier College has remained at the core of the organization, beginning with the founding of the Branch by the wife of the college president. The eighth Annual California State AAUW Convention was held at the college. For nine years the annual Math/ Science Conference for eighth grade girls has been held at the college. In 2020 the Math Science Conference hosted 360 young women from 27 separate local middle schools. Whittier Branch provides at least two scholarships each year to women returning to college to complete their education. The organization also provides funds to support advanced research, legal advocacy, and education. Education has always been an abiding and important concern. One time AAUW members sponsored an exhibit of educational toys and play materials … all items available from local merchants. The Branch also began an art docent program designed to enrich the art programs in the East Whittier and neighboring districts. Members exhibited art prints in classrooms and then told the class about the pictures and the artist. The Branch also made its mark politically. Members served on various committees and boards, such as the planning commission, parks and recreation, parking and traffic, among others. Members have been elected to various school boards also. Branch members completed six months of research on No Fault Insurance, and then reported its findings to the state Legislature. During the 1987 Whittier earthquake, members of the La Cuisine section responded to the community and fed victims of the quake. A research project on Care Giving for Adults produced a video and resource booklet for the Whittier Area. The Whittier Branch actively supports Tech Trek by sending16 participants, several dorm moms, and teachers in the first three years to Stanford and the University of California at San Diego. In the year 2001, Whittier College became a venue for Tech Trek due to the efforts of the active members of the Whittier Branch of AAUW.
