Welcome to the Tucson (AZ) Branch of AAUW!

 


Our Mission: We advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

The AAUW Tucson branch has over eighty (80) members residing in Greater Tucson, Oro Valley, Corona de Tucson, and Sierra Vista. We proudly partner with AAUW College/University Partners Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, Tucson.


Our History: The AAUW Tucson Branch originated from the Collegiate Club that formed in 1909 under the stewardship of a small group of women. One of them was Clara Fish Roberts, the first person to have registered at the new University of Arizona in September 1891 and the first women elected to the Tucson School Board in 1917.

The second member of the Collegiate Club was Clara Ferrin (Bloom) who graciously opened her home for the organizational meeting held in her parlor. That parlor now part of the Coronet Restaurant on Cushing Street in Tucson.


See the upcoming 2024 Branch EventsClick here

  • Added: New Members Information Zoom session on Monday, March 18 at 6pm.
  • Added: AAUW AZ Spring Forum on Saturday, April 13.
  • Added: Take Back the Night Tucson on Saturday, April 27.

We are thrilled to welcome over ten new members this enrollment year and we would like to invite you to a special AAUW Tucson Branch information session. The Zoom meeting will be held on Monday, March 18 starting at 6pm.

Let’s connect to learn about the branch — past, present, and future. The Zoom link will be emailed to you. Any member can attend. Send an email to Jane Russ for details.


. . . is officially recognized on Friday, March 8.   We are celebrating the day on Thursday, March 7, sharing IWD information and talking about AAUW Tucson at Pima Community College’s Downtown campus from 11a to 2p. All are welcome to stop by and say hi!


**  AAUW Tucson is co-sponsoring the upcoming Women’s Safety Forum  **


February Program

AAUW Tucson was excited to have Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, Pima County Recorder, as our speaker on Saturday, February 10.

Ms. Cázares-Kelly was elected Pima County Recorder in November 2020 and began her administration in January 2021. She leads an office that oversees voter registration, early voting and document recording for Pima County and was inspired to run for office after encountering many systemic barriers preventing people from simply registering to vote.

Ms.Cázares-Kelly is one of four women who co-founded Indivisible Tohono, a grassroots, community organization that provides education and civic-engagement opportunities for members of her tribe, the Tohono O’odham Nation.

She is a proud product of Pima Community College, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.


January Branch Program: Held on January 20 at Viscount

We appreciate all of our members, guests and friends who attended.



Holiday Luncheon and 2023 Celebration

Thanks for everyone who attended the holiday luncheon on Saturday, December 9, at Ramada by Wyndham Viscount Suites to celebrate the holiday season and share our 2024 events and programs.

Click HERE for pictures and a recap of the event.

UPDATE: A total of 139 pounds of non-perishable donations were collected for the University of Arizona Campus Pantry. THANK YOU!


In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness to share the passing of Carol Dow on November 19, 2023. See Carol’s obituary.

Carol was an AAUW Branch Past-President, long time AAUW member, and advocate for women and education. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Virgina Palmer Memorial Scholarship (AAUW Tucson) at Pima Community College that grants scholarships every  semester to women in financial need.

UPDATE: In lieu of flowers, Carol’s family asked donations in Carol’s memory be made to our branch for Virgina Palmer Memorial Scholarship. The grand total of $1,840 was received and added to the Virgina Palmer Memorial Scholarship fund. Thank you for all the donations that will enable more scholarship award winners.


Public Policy & AdvocacyOur Work is Not Yet Done

See updates on our page, click HERE


Negotiating It Forward


Shout out to our Start Smart champions, Branch Past President, Diana Charbonneau, and branch coordinator/facilitator, Carmen Aviles.

Last month, Diana presented Start Smart to Women in Optics and Carmen conducted a two-session workshop via Zoom for the UofA  Graduate Center. The three audiences combined had approximately 85 attendees!

Thanks Diana and Carmen for helping so many learn about successful salary negotiation strategies and  supporting our mission to end the pay gap.