American Association of University Women, Champaign-Urbana Branch Records, 1902-2013 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

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Biographical/Historical Context:

The American Association of University Women began in 1881 when seventeen women in Boston formed the Association of Collegiate Alumnae for the purpose of uniting the alumnae of different institutions for practical educational work. In 1889 it merged with the Western Association of College Women under the ACA name. A final union with the Southern Association of College Women in 1921 brought about the present AAUW.

The Central Illinois Branch of the AAUW was formed in 1901 when 25 members of the Illinois College Club abandoned that title and affiliated themselves with the AAUW. According to its constitution, the purpose of the branch is to "unite the college women of the community for work on the educational, civic and social problems of the community and to cooperate with the AAUW in its general work." In 1938, the branch voted to change its name to the Champaign-Urbana Branch. As of 2016, the branch is still active in the community.