Growing Up AAUW

Growing up in West Virginia, I remember watching my mother as she got involved with AAUW. She was a branch president and an active member of AAUW of West Virginia during the ‘40s and ‘50s, when I was in school.

In my younger years, she would take me to so many branch and state meetings with her, where I would read the AAUW materials by her side. I enjoyed these meetings, learning from the speakers and spending time with the other women. Little did I know then that, with AAUW, I too would help shape the lives of women and girls.

In 1965, I joined my first AAUW branch and participated in lobbying activities, such as writing letters and contacting my legislature to pass publicly funded kindergarten throughout West Virginia. More recently, I’ve supported Title IX by lobbying at two state universities for support of women’s cheerleading, basketball, track, tennis, and swimming.

For the past 20 years, I’ve also been the auctioneer of AAUW of West Virginia’s state convention basket auction. Each year, branches provide theme-based baskets that are auctioned to raise funds for fellowships and grants and the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund. Due to the popularity of these auctions, AAUW of West Virginia has been able to raise thousands of dollars in support of these important AAUW funds.

I have now served as state program chair, public policy chair, public information chair, president of three AAUW branches, and as president of AAUW of West Virginia. I’m proud to say I’ve attended many AAUW National Conventions since 1970 — three of which have been in Washington, D.C. Throughout all these experiences, I’ve treasured the great educational and political opportunities of AAUW as well as my many AAUW friends.

I’m looking forward to the reorganization and political issues that will be addressed at the 2011 AAUW National Convention this June 16–19, but I’m also excited that members will have the opportunity to be heard at the national level during Lobby Day on Capitol Hill.

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Have you ever been to our nation’s capital? You’ll find numerous things to do, from visiting the National Mall to exploring the neighborhoods. The cultural opportunities alone are enough to keep me occupied! While at the D.C. national conventions, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the National Portrait Gallery (near the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel, home to our 2011 convention), and bustling Chinatown.

 

Please join nearly 1,000 of your colleagues and me at the 2011 National Convention.

This blog post was written by Elizabeth M. Meyer, president of the AAUW Clarksburg (WV) Branch and a member of the 2011 AAUW National Convention Host Committee.