ALL ABOUT THE TACOMA BRANCH OF AAUW

 

Leaders of the Tacoma Branch of AAUW for 2010-11

 

                                President                       Phyllis Izant                  

                                Program VP                  Rosetta Brown

                                Membership Co-VPs    Ginny Linstrom

                                                                     Joye Bucklin

                                Finance VP                   Dorothy McBride

                                Secretary                      Darlene Parsons

                                NL Editor                     Mary Letterman

 

 

Tacoma Branch History

Tacoma Branch received its official charter from the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, now American Association of University Women, on May 12, 1907, with 35 members. From the start, the founders knew the value of building coalitions and met often with other women’s groups for mutual projects. In 1909, the members helped form the Presidents’ Council of Tacoma, still in existence today, with AAUW members among the leadership. An early project of this group was to check the cleanliness of bakeries and butcher shops by counting the flies these establishments attracted. They also protested for safer ingredients in cosmetics. A forerunner of the Food and Drug Administration was formed in the area because of this effort.

Although furthering educational opportunities for women and girls has been the primary goal, the branch has taken some rather unpopular stands. Supporting the Japanese immigrant farmers and business owners instead of following the prevailing trend of forcing them out of the area was a courageous stand in 1923. A more recent example would be working for public disclosure legislation. A former branch president, Marilyn Roberts, who is known for her calm demeanor, takes pride in standing her ground against a politician who ruthlessly refused to comply with the new law.

In 1914, the Tacoma members were instrumental in getting the University of Washington admitted into the A.C.A. By invitation from the Dean of Women, several members took the steamboat to Seattle to tour the university campus. Until then, Wellesley College had the most graduates (11) among the 85 branch members; however, the 1916 directory lists 102 members, 22 of them graduates of the University of Washington. The membership topped 400 in the 1950s. Two branches, Puyallup Valley and Gig Harbor, have their roots in the Tacoma Branch.

A common thread woven through the years is the branch’s love of the arts. One of the first two interest sections was a drama group, which performed for its own members’ enjoyment. A friendly rivalry among alumnae existed, to see which college could come up with the best performers at the annual Frolics, “an evening of fun and frolic reliving their college days.” The Frolics departed from the regular policy of welcoming guests to all meetings, forums and poetry readings. According to a newspaper article, “Guests are limited to the AAUW membership, and no one ever absents herself except for necessity, since the evening never fails to fulfill its promise of entertainment.”

In 1947 the branch was the first organization to sponsor theatre for children. Tickets for Hans Brinker, performed by the Children’s Theatre of New York, were distributed in schools. When the Tacoma Children’s Museum needed a boost, AAUW members became docents and helped in raising funds. Evidence of the love of arts can be found in newspaper articles, minutes of the meetings and interest groups. This devotion continues today. Members serve as docents at local museums, and ticket sales for both the Tacoma Musical Playhouse and the Tacoma Opera are used as fundraisers.

At its founding, Tacoma Branch dues were $2.00 annually, of which $1.00 went to the national organization. Within three years after founding, the branch set up a Student Aid Fund, to which members were asked to pledge $2.00 more to set aside for worthy female students to borrow interest-free to attend college. This aid fund continued until the Educational Foundation was established. An early “Living Fellowship” was named to honor Dr. Catherine Staudt, Tacoma member and one of Washington’s first Educational Foundation chairs, in 1955. The recipient of the $2,000 grant, a biologist from the Netherlands, spent six months in the agricultural areas of Washington learning methods of studying sexuality and hybridization in yeast.

The Tacoma Branch continues with their primary goal by participating in the High School Scholar Recognition program, giving scholarships to female students, working with the YWCA, and helping sponsor a series of workshops geared toward women entrepreneurs.

-- Constance Dunkelberger, Tacoma Branch member

 

 

Community Involvement and Branch Projects

 

Tacoma Branch Scholarship Program

Tacoma Branch AAUW will award two $1500 scholarships to women enrolled at the junior, senior or graduate level in the Tacoma area colleges or universities (Pacific Lutheran University, The Evergreen State College, University of Puget Sound, University of Washington Tacoma). Applicants must demonstrate scholarship and leadership, balanced with an academic core. Applications received online (http://www.aauw.org/learn/awards/AAUW-Local-Scholarships-Clearinghouse.cfm). For more information please email aauwwa@gmail.com.

 

 

Tacoma Branch Celebrates Centennial

The Tacoma Branch was the 39th Branch to join AAUW which was the Association of Collegiate Alumnae in 1907.As our Tacoma Branch approaches our 100th Birthday in May of 2007 we began our celebration early by establishing an endowment within the AAUW Educational Foundation. This endowment will be the Tacoma Branch Centennial Fund and will provide funding for women scholars. A Centennial Luncheon was held at the Tacoma Club on May 19, 2007.                                                                    

    

Tacoma Branch Community Fund

Established in December of 2000 as a permanent donor-advised fund administered by the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation (GTCF), the Tacoma Branch Community Fund supports education, the arts, and lifelong learning for Pierce County residents. Under the terms of the agreement with GTCF, the branch chooses the projects or individuals it wishes to support through grants and scholarships, placing special emphasis on educational opportunities for women and girls.

Since its establishment, the proceeds from the fund have provided scholarships for women. Our hope is that the fund will continue to grow and the proceeds will enrich our community. Donations to the fund from individuals and organizations are welcomed.

A Community Fund chair oversees fundraising efforts and distribution of proceeds from the fund, and acts as liaison between the branch and the GTCF.  For more information about the Tacoma Branch Community Fund, e-mail Tacoma@AAUW-WA.org.

 

 

Free Showing of "Iron Jawed Angels"

The Fall 2004 South Puget Sound District project was a free showing of the HBO movie, "Iron Jawed Angels" at the University of Washington-Tacoma Campus. This film tells the remarkable story of a group of passionate and dynamic young women, led by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, who put their lives on the line to fight for American women's right to vote. This true story has startling parallels to today, as the young activists struggle with issues such as the perennial balancing act between love and career. Every year in August we view this film again for a "night at the movies" with other Tacoma women's organizations. This year we will have our suffragette celebration on August 11, 2010. Please join us to watch this wonderful film:                                                            Download the flyer.