2024 is upon us and the sky hasn’t fallen yet!
Fanny Behrens, branch president
Tired of smashing your head against glass ceilings? Let’s grab some crowbars and build a skylight instead. AAUW isn’t your grandma’s stuffy scholarship club. (I’ll have you know it’s the SASSY grandma’s scholarship club, hmph!) We’re the badass sisterhood fueling female fury – the kind that launches careers, dismantles inequalities and paints the future with glitter bombs.
We’re talking scholarships that catapult your dreams past Mars and into your own damn galaxy. From coding wizards hacking the patriarchy to doctors stitching up broken systems, we invest in women because, honey, we know you’re the future’s MVP. Forget tiara tears, we’re all about high-fives for conquering spreadsheets and slaying imposter syndrome.
But AAUW ain’t just a cash machine for geniuses. We’re your tribe of firecracker mentors, hilarious role models, and cheerleaders who’ll scream your name until it echoes through the boardroom. Most of us have been through the difficulties that young women students are about to embark on, and by jove we have their backs. Not so young anymore? Comfortable in your lane? We have some good old physical work for you at our monthly book sorts – preparing for the Big Annual Sale. That’s how we get the scholarship monies, duh!
Ready to grab that crowbar and build your skylight? Drop me a note I will personally see that you find your way into our meetings.
Remember, AAUW: Where women rewrite narratives, laugh like hyenas, and paint the future anything but beige.
P.S. Follow us on social media. We’re the friends you always pictured you’d have.
Fond du Lac Branch AAUW History
The Fond du Lac Branch of AAUW began on February 25, 1922 with 53 charter members. Programs that first year addressed equal rights, child labor, the addition of a Secretary of Education to the President’s cabinet, and universal health training in the schools.
Education for women has always been a focus of the group. Since 1929 the group has given generously to Fellowships which are administered by the national AAUW. One of the fellowships was established to honor Frances Perkins, our first Branch president.
Assistance for local young women attending college began in 1922 with a loan program which soon changed to scholarships. The first style show in Fond du Lac was held to raise money. Style shows and many other fundraising projects continued to fund local scholarships and national fellowships.
For many years the branch brought children’s theater productions to the community. Many community projects have been supported over the years and sometimes AAUW has provided the spark which resulted in groups which still continue: the local Community Theater, the Artists’ Association, the Adult Literacy program, to name a few. It has given scholarships for students to attend a variety of summer programs to foster leadership skills and expand academic interests.