…from the Salisbury Post.

AAUW marks 60th anniversary
Monday, October 03, 2011 12:00 AM

Members of the Salisbury Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will meet Thursday, Oct. 13, to celebrate 60 years of efforts to empower women and girls, with a program at Trinity Oaks Retirement Center, 728 Klumac Road beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The program is open to the public. Since it’s founding in 1881, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic and political.

Public Policy Chairwoman Eileen Hanson-Kelly will lead a discussion of the current policy challenges that affect the equity of women and girls.

“We may think the issues of women’s equality have all been resolved, but women still earn on average only 77 cents for every dollar men earn,” said Hanson-Kelly. “Women are still underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math fields. Social Security, reproductive choice, freedom from violence and harassment, quality public education are all issues that affect women and girls, and many of the advancements being cut back.”

Organized in 1951, the Salisbury Branch of AAUW has been involved in a variety of issues, including putting a woman on the city school board in 1953 and promoting the establishment of a mental health clinic, finally created in 1960.

The Salisbury Branch published “Sketches of Old Rowan,” a collection of drawings by the late Aubrey Atkinson with short articles by the late Salisbury Post editor George Raynor, currently available in local bookstores.

The program on Oct. 13 also celebrates the 130th anniversary of the founding of AAUW.

Since 1881, long before women even had the right to vote, AAUW has been one of the nation’s leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls.

AAUW has a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners.

The Salisbury Branch has 30 active members. As part of the AAUW celebrations members will hear about the accomplishments of AAUW at the National and Branch levels, and enjoy “happy birthday refreshments.”

For more information about AAUW in Salisbury contact Branch President Brunetta Franklin, 704-798-2574 or , brunetta3@aol.com.