The American Association of University Women (AAUW, the Association), founded in 1881, is the nation's leading advocate for educational equity for women and girls.  Within California, AAUW is the state's most active and diverse organization for women. 

AAUW's mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.   There are 160,000 AAUW members in the U.S. The Association values and seeks members of every race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, and level of physical ability. AAUW is part of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), representing 67 countries.

AAUW California: a powerful force within a powerful organization 

AAUW-California  was launched in San Francisco in 1886 and began lobbying immediately. With nearly 14,000 members in over 155 branches, plus over 6,000 Association members-at-large living in California, AAUW California is a strong and meaningful force within the Association. Membership from this state represents over 20 percent of the national total.

AAUW supports education for and research about women 

The AAUW Educational Foundation (EF)* funds research on girls and education. EF is the nation's oldest and one of the largest sources of non-institutional funding of graduate education for women. Of the over $2 million EF awards for grants, fellowships, research, and community action, AAUW-California contributed over $500,000. The latest round of EF grants support 277women, 36 of whom were studying in California. 

EF's first research (1885) dispelled the notion that higher education adversely affects women's health. Recent EF-sponsored research also tackles timely issues.

EF grant for girls' science/math/computer camp 

Through an initial $5,000 grant from EF, AAUW California established Tech Trek, a high-tech math, science and computer camp targeted toward 7th grade girls. The 150 campers from across California, each selected by her school, spent five days on the Stanford University campus in June 1998.

Tech Trek has expanded during the past few years. In 2002, sessions were held at Stanford, Mills College, CSU Fresno, Whittier College, and UC San Diego.

Tech Trek features a specially selected faculty, field trips, and a full program of hands-on learning experiences.

AAUW supports sex discrimination lawsuits in higher education 

The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF)* provides financial and emotional support for women seeking redress in the courts for sex discrimination in academia. LAF, established in 1981, is the largest legal fund focused solely on this objective. 

Since establishment, the LAF has awarded over $750,000 to plaintiffs. Nineteen of the 75 cases adopted by LAF have had California plaintiffs. Of the cases currently active, two involve women at California schools ( UC Davis, and UC Irvine).

AAUW takes a stand on public policy 

AAUW seeks to involve women in every level of the political process. AAUW actively supports legislation on educational equity and diversity in public schools, pay equity, reproductive choice, child care, school-based health care, civil rights, and responsible funding for public education. 

To further its objectives, AAUW has established the Women's Network for Change, a coalition of 28 organizations working together to effect change. AAUW-California also employs a legislative advocate in Sacramento.