American Association of University Women. San Antonio Branch.

The San Antonio branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was founded in 1909. It is the oldest branch in the state of Texas, and its priority function is to support women in the San Antonio area through scholarships and other types of outreach. The branch also supports the national organization's Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund. They also provide a social outlet for university women in the San Antonio area through meetings and events.

The San Antonio Branch was established on January 9, 1909 as a branch of the Southern Association of College Women that was founded in July 1903 at the University of Tennessee. In 1909, the officers of the San Antonio Branch were President, Mrs. Jean McGrath Russ; Vice-President, Miss Emily Maverick; and Secretary/Treasurer, Mrs. Carrie Pfeifer Brown.

In 1921 the Southern Association of College Women united with the Association of College Alumnae and the name was changed to the American Association of University Women. The Association of College Alumnae was a merger of two groups. A group of 17 women met in Boston in the fall of 1881 to discuss forming an alumnae organization of women college graduates. As a result the Association of Collegiate Alumnae was formally organized in January 1882. In 1889 the Western Association of College Alumnae united with this group. So the AAUW began with 17 women who came together to unite alumnae of their institutions for practical educational work.

In 1926, San Antonio was a charter branch when AAUW Texas was organized in Dallas. The state organization is the backbone that supports all of the Texas branches. In recent years, two members of the San Antonio Branch have served as State Presidents: Helen Oujesky and Malinda Gaul.

The Branch Interest Groups have enhanced the richness of the AAUW experience. Women come together to share their interests. The Historic Southwest group is the oldest of the current interest groups. Mrs. Elizabeth Dickson, President of the San Antonio Branch in 1939-1940, founded the group. This group makes a donation each year to a historical landmark or a society dedicated to preservation of landmarks. The members also make a Christmas donation to a local charity. The University Women's Garden Club, a long-time interest group, was founded in 1939. Their members donate handmade items each year at Christmas to a local hospital. They also assist with garden therapy at a local nursing homes. The San Antonio Branch also has a young professional group, a book discussion group, a book review group, a theatre group, Women Unlimited, which studies the Great Discussion series of public affairs issues, and two bridge groups.

Three members of the San Antonio Branch established endowments for AAUW scholarships in their wills: Mildred Magee, Irma Gesche and Jean Longwith. The interest from these endowment accounts is used for local, graduate scholarships for women that are awarded at the branch meeting in May each year. Part of the money raised at the annual Educational Foundation fundraiser is also used for local scholarships. In recent years, the scholarships have been increased from $1000 to $2000. The branch awarded six scholarships in 2003 and five in 2004.

The San Antonio Branch has a major fundraiser each year for the Educational Foundation and for local scholarships. From the 1960's through 2000, the branch fundraiser was a used book sale. Due to decreasing revenues and a request for a change from the members, the branch initiated the Breaking the Glass Ceiling Brunch and Silent Auction in 2001. In 2003, it became a luncheon and silent auction. At this luncheon the branch honors a company that practices gender equity in its policies. The branch also honors a woman who has succeeded in her field and serves as an example to young women.

In 1910, the San Antonio Branch made the following report at the Southern Association of College Women. Our branch has been busy investigating social settlement work, and in connection with this we have made an interesting study of some of the modern dramas that deal with sociological conditions. A program for the year was arranged. Meetings were held the 1st Saturday in each month, when some able lecturer gave us the help of her experience. The San Antonio Branch meeting is still held on the first Saturday of the month. The 1910 report continued with further description of the branch activities. This branch has become affiliated with the Kindergarten and also the Playground Association, and is taking a live interest in the recently organized Free Clinic. Our members do all they can as individuals to aid these organizations and each week two of them teach in a sewing class for girls. We have pledged our aid toward securing a compulsory education law and in all matters pertaining to the schools and youth of San Antonio.

The San Antonio Branch continues the tradition begun in 1909. The branch has long supported the Expand Your Horizons Career Conference in science and math for girls in grades six through 12 held at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2003 members volunteered to speak at a career day event at a local school. In 2004, one of the branch's members, Dr. Linda Vargas-Lew requested the support of the branch in mentoring young Hispanic girls at the elementary school level. These girls have been identified as at risk to drop out before completing high school. Several members responded and are serving as mentors.

The San Antonio Branch is using technology to improve communications with members. In 1994, the branch moved from the typewriter to the computer to produce the branch directory. Then, Mynda McGuire, President in 2001-03, initiated the web page and still maintains it.

In 2001, the branch took a long look at its practices and began planning for its future when it held the first of its now annual Strategic Planning meetings. Following that meeting the branch conducted a demographic survey of its members and found that the average age was 68.5, and the members were predominantly white. The membership drives, as of 2001 focuses on diversifying the membership. One of the ways was to increase the AAUW Institutional Membership of local colleges and universities from only one institution in 2001 to five in 2004. One of those is St. Philip's College which is a Historically Black and Hispanic Serving Institution.

The San Antonio Branch is recognized as an outstanding AAUW branch through the 21st Century Recognition Program, an honor bestowed upon them by the national AAUW organization.

For more information about the current activities of the San Antonio Branch of the American Association of University Women, please visit them on the Web at: http://www.aauwsanantonio.org/ .

Historical note written by Mynda McGuire, Immediate Past President of the San Antonio Branch of the American Association of University Women, February 2005.