About Us

The American Association of University Women (AAUW), founded in 1881, is the nation's leading organization advocating equity for women and girls. Its national membership of 80,000 seeks to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. People of every race, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, and level of physical ability are invited to join.

The young organization's presence in California began when San Francisco branch was established in 1884. By 1921, with thirteen active branches in the state, branch leaders saw a need for a statewide organization.  The constitution for AAUW California was approved in October 1921.

AAUW California is the state's most active and diverse organization for women with nearly 12,000 members in 125 branches, plus over 5,000 members-at-large.

View State Leadership

Read a history of AAUW, written in 2013 by California member Jo Harberson

AAUW Fund

The AAUW Fund provides educational opportunities and equity for woman and girls through research and support of fellowship and grants programs, including International Fellowships, American Fellowships, Selected Professions Fellowships and Research and Projects Grants.

The Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) combats sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace through community and campus outreach programs, a resource library, online advocacy tools, and various research reports.

California's Gloria Weston Campus Outreach Fund, established in 2004, is used to create opportunities for education and discussion on topics of equity, discrimination and tenure at California universities and colleges.

Other funds include Public Policy and Leadership Programs.

AAUW and Public Policy

AAUW also encourages women to become involved in every level of the political process. We actively support 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.

Public Policy is a major focus of AAUW California.  An important part of this focus is our contract with Shannon Smith-Crowley, our effective lobbyist for legislation on issues regarding women and girls.

Speech Trek

Speech Trek is a speaking contest open to all California high school students.

Tech Trek

AAUW California Tech Trek Science and Math Camp for Girls strives to develop interest and excitement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and self-confidence in eighth grade young women by providing the experience of living one week on a college campus and participating in hands-on activities in math, science and related fields.

Learn more on the AAUW  Tech Trek website or by contacting the Tech Trek Coordinators for more information.

• California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom       
• EdSource        
• CA Women Lead        
• Los Angeles Sparks

Unique to California, our Special Projects Fund is a 501c(3) tax-exempt corporation which serves as a pass-through fund, enabling state projects to collect tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations without having to establish themselves as a separate non-profit entity.