A Message From The President

Welcome to the Denver Branch American Association of University Women

The Denver Branch of AAUW is over a century old. Over 51 women have lead the organization. The first president of the Denver Branch was Dr. Kate Reynolds Lobingier.

The mission of the American Association of University Women is to promote equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.

The American Association of University Women is a membership driven organization of volunteers. Programs and services are designed to empower women and girls. The organization has been in existence since 1881 and provides a powerful voice for women and girls. AAUW leaves a legacy of leadership, scholarship, advocacy and action.
 
With an eye toward the changing culture of our population AAUW awards scholarships to non traditional women students to continue their education, introduces young women to career ideas, raises funds for programs that help educate women and girls, and rewards vision and innovation in the workplace. Locally, we give out $3,000 annually to assist non-traditional women students continue their education.

Major fundraisers over the years to support the organization included the Book and Author's Dinners, University Thrift Shop, Christmas Tour of Member's Homes, Fund Day/Fest, Garage Sale, Quilt Raffle, Nut, Candy and Lucinda Pin Sales, Fashion Show and High Tea. April 1964, Denver had made sufficient contributions to the Fellowship Fund later changed to the Educational Foundation to warrant a grant honoring the 5th Branch president Elsie Sellye Pratt.

Programs Denver branch has undertaken over the years include Green Circle Program, The Magic Bus, Colorado Centennial Celebration in 1976, Testing the Vision of Young Children, Big Sister, Musical Programs, Trailblazer Awards and Membership Tea, and Adoption of Brown International School's Science Lab.

Denver Branch has supported legislative matters such as endorsement of the child labor bill, the Denver Public Schools efforts to racially balance the schools, Defeat of the repeal of the Equal Rights Amendment, the Gravel Amendment, and opposed nomination of James Bjork as Supreme Court Justice.

The Denver Branch has contributed to the following regional endowments: Florence Sabin, Martha Clifford, Adeline Gilstrap, Dunkelee/Elinor Bluemel, Mindell Stein and Judith Sanderson fund. The Dunklee/Elinor Bluemel and Mindell Stein are fully funded. Denver Branch has received numerous honors, most notably Top 10 contributors to EF, and 5 Star Designation by National Organizations in 1997.

Over the years 51 dynamic women have lead the Denver Branch. Past presidents include: Kate R. Lobinger, Margaret P. Campbell, Gertrude Vaile, Margaret P. Campbell, Elsie Seelye Pratt, Mina Stone Gabrie, Edna Howard, Edna Hendrie Hadley, Martha Haag Clifford, Louise A. Merrill, Florence Montgomery Armstrong, Eva French LeFevre, Bessie Newman Shaw, Ella R. Metsker Milligan, Obie Sue Pulliam Dunklee, Elinor Hensley Bluemel, Mildred McClellan Melville, Beatrice Schouten Brainerd, Emma Drumm Schaetzel, Marian Huxall Talmadge, Frederica LeFevre Bellamy, Blanche Taussig Cowperthwaite, Virginia Neal Blue, Ruth Higgins Cheley, Esther Simmons McKinney, Florence Akers Brooks, Pauline Welch Carter, Gladys Hough Wachob, Elizabeth Harrison Benny, Florence Hansen Rogers, Dorothy Britton Mauk, Claire Rosenbush Stein, Miriam Lamphere Johnson, Claire Bonfield Baldry, Addene Saxton Putnam, Luella Sharp Heath, Irene Cannon Lewis, Jean Ransbottom Karr, Virginia Leaver Hankins, Gladys (Babs) Winter, Dorothy Phillips , Paula Cady Condrey, Joanne Stevens, Judith Roseborough, Phyllis M. Edwards, Lorraine Ramadan, Robbie Bean, Sarah Sanders, Suzanne Laurilla, Jean Labuda and Valorie Yarbrough.

To learn more about AAUW and the Denver Branch activities, browse through our website or visit the Colorado AAUW website.

Sincerely,

Valorie Yarbrough

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