American Association of University Women - Berea Branch Records

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) was incorporated under the name of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae under a special act of the Massachusetts legislature approved April 20, 1899. This act, which was accepted by the incorporators on October 28, 1899, still stands as the Charter of the Association. At the convention of the Association held in Washington, D.C. on March 28 to April 2, 1921, the Association voted to change the name of the organization from the Association of Collegiate Alumnae to the American Association of University Women. The change was approved by the Commissioner of Corporation and Taxation on June 9, 1921 and the Association has had the name ever since.

The purposes of the American Association of University Women was the uniting of the alumnae of different institutions for practical educational work, for the collection and publication of statistical and other information concerning education, and in general for the maintenance of high standards of education. To become a member in this organization a woman had to meet several requirements. A woman had to hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an institution on the AAUW list of qualified institutions, or a degree from a foreign institution recognized by the International Federation of University Women.

The AAUW, Berea Branch, first met on March 18, 1960 at 4:30 p.m. at Berea College in Woods-Penniman Gymnasium. The meeting was led by Miss Minnie Maude Macaulay, who would later become a president of the Berea Branch and a president of the Kentucky Division of AAUW. The Berea Branch was recognized and founded by the American Association of University Women on March 26, 1960. The Berea Branch remains an active and strong community organization, participating in several events and fund raisers for the betterment of higher education.