About Us

Read more about our history, our governance, and our Distinguished Women Award winners by utilizing the menu choices on the left. AAUW has videos on YouTube that include explanations of our mission and our impact.

Mission Statement

The American Association of University Women advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

Vision Statement

AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.

Branch Vision Statement

The Orinda Moraga Lafayette Branch of AAUW, through an active, diverse, and vital membership, will make a positive impact on our local and global community by promoting education, empowering women and girls, and supporting personal and professional growth.

Association and State Priorities

AAUW FUNDS - Educational Foundation 501(c)(3)

The objectives of the Educational Foundation, the nation's oldest and largest women's foundation, is to raise funds for fellowships and grants to women seeking advanced degrees in the United States and abroad. It awards community action and career development grants, particularly targeting professions where women have been traditionally underrepresented. It also funds and directs nationally acclaimed research on how America's schools treat girls.

AAUW FUNDS - Legal Advocacy Fund 501(c)(3)

AAUW breaks through barriers so all women and girls will have a fair chance. It is the work of the Legal Advocacy Fund that keeps the doors open. The Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) works to combat sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace, through both financial assistance and moral support of important discrimination cases pursued through the Court. The LAF helps challenge discriminatory practices involving sexual harassment, denial of tenure or promotion, and denial of women's athletic programs under Title IX. Funds enable a network of volunteer attorneys and social scientists to offer legal strategy and case research, as well as to support litigation.

The Legal Advocacy Fund works through community and campus outreach programs, a resource library and online advocacy tools, and various research reports. In collaboration with the Public Policy and Government Relations departments, the LAF seeks "friend of the court" opportunities in cases on discrimination that disadvantage women in the workplace. The LAF supports landmark sex discrimination cases that have the potential to make a difference for all women.

Public Policy

For more than a century, 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, health care reform, and family and medical leave.

Branch Priorities

Sister-to-Sister (S2S)

Sister-to-Sister Summits were developed by AAUW in order to give girls a voice about issues that affect them.The Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch of AAUW has offered the Sister-to-Sister program to Bay Area girls since the year 2000. More than 1500 girls have benefited from the training and summit experience.

Sister-to-Sister is a leadership and mentoring program that brings girls together in an energizing and supportive environment to address the challenging issues of adolescence. It strengthens girls' voices, self-confidence, and sense of sisterhood through education, group discussion, and interaction with other girls. High school girls are thoroughly trained in order to mentor middle school girls, plus they plan and host an exciting one-day summit. The 13th annual Sister-to-Sister Summit will be held on April 28, 2012. Applications to participate are available now.

Tech Trek Science and Math Camp for Girls

Our branch raises funds to send girls from three Lafayette, Moraga, or Orinda middle schools to a week-long summer science and math camp at a local university. Established by AAUW-CA in 1998 with the first camp at Stanford University, there are now six camps attended by AAUW-sponsored girls all over California. AAUW-OML has sent almost 50 local girls to Tech Trek. All were nominated by their science or math teachers, wrote a personal essay, and were interviewed by a panel of AAUW-OML members. Research has shown that many Tech Trekkers continue their studies in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) in college.

Scholarships and Awards

We recognize outstanding graduates from our three local high schools and Saint Mary's College. The committee selects recipients for annual scholarships awards and coordinates the April Awards Celebration.

International Interests

The International Federation of University Women connects with AAUW around the world. As the global village shrinks it is important to delve deeper into the cross-cultural relationships and international women's issues that affect us all.

Community Outreach

Burckhalter School

Since 1993, OML has supplied volunteers to this inner-city school located in East Oakland. Our members work as tutors, classroom aides, and library staff throughout the school year. In addition, other members help with special events such as our annual ornament project.