American Association of University Women. Connecticut Division.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) was founded by Boston University graduate, Marion Talbot, as an organization of female college graduates. On 14 January 1886, sixty-five women met in Washington, D.C., and adopted a constitution for the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA). The first Connecticut branch of ACA was formed in 1892. In 1954, after a series of name changes, the organization settled upon the American Association of University Women. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, AAUW has continued to promote legal, social, educational, and economic equity for women in an attempt to move women into policy making positions in all sectors of society. Furthermore, AAUW supports a strong educational system at all levels, having established an educational foundation as early as 1888, and, in 1983, a legal advocacy fund to pursue these goals.

The American Association of University Women ( AAUW ) was founded by Boston University graduate, Marion Talbot, as an organization of female college graduates. On 14 January 1886, sixty-five women met in Washington, D.C., and adopted a constitution for the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA).

The ACA originated the following five policies which have continued to be used throughout the organization's history: only women from qualified institutions are admitted as members; branch formation is encouraged; research is conducted through committees; distinguished persons are invited to present their research before the branches; study groups are encouraged to look at all aspects of education. These were the basic founding principles of ACA.

The first Connecticut branch of ACA was formed in 1892, shortly after Yale University began admitting female graduate students. Miss Lillian Pruden was the first president. During this period, membership was almost solely from New Haven. Because no state-wide organization existed, ACA encountered problems while working on was programs such as the solicitation of Liberty Loans, and it became apparent that reorganization was necessary. On 1 May 1920, the first meeting of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae Branches and College Clubs was held.

Membership lagged during the 1930s due to the Depression, and in the early 1940s, the organization encountered further problems caused by the travel restrictions of World War II. ACA continued its work, however, concentrating on war drives such as the collection of tin cans, paper, and aluminum. During the late 1940s, its activities focused upon the returning veterans and the consequential lowering of female enrollment in universities.

In 1954, after a series of name changes, the organization settled upon the American Association of University Women . Its goals during the 1950s were three-fold: to increase the number of female faculty; to increase focus upon children; and to offer political education in the form of legislative workshops. AAUW embarked on may social, educational, and political projects in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1974, for example, the Connecticut State Division Research Project and Endowment Fund was established, providing money to assist career and academic counseling for adults. Also, a Status of Women Committee was formed to analyze the number of women employed in decision making positions within state government.

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, AAUW has continued to promote legal, social, educational, and economic equity for women in an attempt to move women into policy making positions in all sectors of society. Furthermore, AAUW supports a strong educational system at all levels, having established an educational foundation as early as 1888, and, in 1983, a legal advocacy fund to pursue these goals.