For more than a century, AAUW has been a catalyst for change to promote equity for all women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

Today, with more than 170,000 members and supporters and 1000 branches committed to education and equity, AAUW members across the country contribute to a more promising future and provide a powerful voice for women and girls—a voice that cannot and will not be ignored.

Through its public policy program AAUW has influenced legislative debate on critical issues such as education, Social Security, sex discrimination, civil rights, reproductive choice, affirmative action, Title IX, welfare reform, vocational education, pay equity, family and medical leave, and health care reform.

The Schenectady Branch was founded in 1902 as the Schenectady College Women’s Club and organized in 1923 as a branch of AAUW and then reorganized in 1923 as a branch of AAUW. General membership meetings/programs, which are open to the public, are selected to inform and encourage study of community and world issues affecting women and girls and to promote advocacy because equality is still an issue. Officers and members usually meet to discuss and plan the program for the coming years. Every effort is made to arrange timely and relevant presentations.

For nearly fifty years, the Schenectady Branch has sponsored and funded children’s plays in the Schenectady area. The plays aim to enrich and experiences of elementary students. They are usually presented at the Schenectady Hight School for elementary school students from city schools, parochial schools and schools in the surrounding suburbs.

Last year our commitment to women and girls in our region extended to support the Niskayuna Girls’ Softball, donations to the Boys and Girls’ Club holiday drive, Betheba House (an interfaith ministry to the homeless, the disabled and the economically disadvantaged in Schenectady County), and a scholarship to a graduating girl from Schenectady High School.

Our Branch continues to work with the League of Women Voters to sponsor our local candidate forums in Schenectady and the surrounding towns. Last year we offered programs on improving conditions for women in Afghanistan; increasing the number of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and math; exploring the contribution of a local business (Price Chopper) to our community; improving our environment, and examining the history of industrial exploitation of women on the 100th anniversary of the radium dial painters.