Mid-Peninsula Branch of AAUW turns 70 years old this year!! We serve South San Mateo County, including the cities of San Carlos, Redwood City, Belmont, Atherton, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Portola Valley, and Woodside.
We are an active local branch, supporting state and national AAUW efforts to advance gender equality in education, economic security and leadership. Our community of members has developed a wide range of programs, interest groups and committees that are building strong ties in not only our local communities, but with a larger network of forward thinking individuals and organizations that are focused on transforming women’s lives.
The Mid-Peninsula Branch has been awarded the highest level of recognition by AAUW National. Our work at the branch 
level aligns with AAUW national strategic plan and other initiatives that foster the organization’s mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls. We are one of eight branches in California (out of 100), and one of 42 nationally (out of 1000 branches), that has been recognized with this award.
Becoming a member means you will be part of a strong network of vibrant and smart individuals that want to close the gender pay gap, ensure schools and workplaces are free of discrimination and harassment, and creating more opportunities for women to lead. We hold meetings monthly from September through the following May, with a wide variety of speakers on topics from immigration, homelessness and social justice. to women in the sciences, archeology and indigenous heritage.
In addition to being active in our communities and promoting a “fairer future for all,” we are also committed to developing opportunities for friendships and fun. Our branch has many Interest Groups that meet weekly and monthly, and we offer a variety of social and philanthropic activities, as we support each other’s efforts to succeed and live our best lives.
In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There are no barriers for full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class. Membership is open to anyone with an Associate or higher degree or RN.
We look forward to having you join us!
For more information:
- Phone: (650) 592-5822
- E-mail: aauw-mid-pen@earthlink.net.
Join AAUW Mid-Peninsula to:
- support opportunity and equity for women and girls through education, research, advocacy, philanthropy
- build your network
- make new friends
- enjoy and learn at monthly programs and interest group meetings
More information on joining here!
MORE INFORMATION FROM AAUW’S NATIONAL OFFICE
MORE ABOUT AAUW
WORKPLACE AND ECONOMIC EQUITY
EDUCATION
ADVOCACY
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION
Central to our mission and goals, is our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Understanding these terms is an important first step:
Diversity: The inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization. Means variety and refers to characteristics that make each of us unique.
Equity: Justice according to natural law or right, specifically, freedom from bias or favoritism. Everyone having equal access, not equal amount, to the resources needed to be successful.
Inclusion: The act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability). Entails behaviors and actions of others that make us feel welcomed or not.
AAUW GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
AAUW provided nearly $6 million in funding in 2022-2023 to more than 320 fellows and grantees.
Overall, we’ve given more than $115 million to over 13,000 women and nonprofit organizations around the world. Our recipients include some of the most influential voices of the past two centuries — women who have helped shape history — as well as nonprofit organizations at the forefront of driving social change.
In 1888, AAUW gave Ida Street $350 to pursue graduate research — possibly the first fellowship of its kind in any country. In 1920, Marie Curie received $156,413 toward the purchase of a gram of radium. Other awardees include former secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, anthropologist Margaret Mead, and astronaut Judith Resnik. To date, the AAUW Educational Foundation, through American and International fellowships, awards, and other grants, has helped more than 7,500 women pursue their personal goals through teaching projects, community action programs, career development and research studies. Total fellowships, grants and awards now exceed $3 million annually.
Exceptional students, authors, scientists, scholars, changemakers and community leaders for this next year will pursue important academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls. Will you, or someone you know, be next?
AAUW – NATIONAL EFFORTS
Some examples of the lobbying and advocacy efforts from the AAUW national office:
Title IX Civil Rights
At a public hearing held June 7-11, AAUW emphasized the need to restore and strengthen safeguards against harassment in schools and protect students from retaliation.
New LAF Case
Through its Legal Advocacy Fund, AAUW has provided millions of dollars to support hundreds of legal battles against sex discrimination. Most recently, we’ve adopted the case of Anne Devan-Song, a Ph.D. candidate at Oregon State University who faced sexual and gender-based harassment at the hands of a fellow graduate student.
Legal Advocacy
AAUW has played a key role in critical women’s and civil rights issues–lobbying, briefing Congress and the administration, spearheading coalitions. When 11 faculty who said Cornell University denied them tenure because they were women asked AAUW for funding, they inspired a concept that helps all women speak out for justice. Out of AAUW’s support for that case grew the Legal Advocacy Fund, which provides funding and a support system for women who have experienced gender bias or sexual harassment in higher education. It is the only legal fund of its type in the U.S.