This spring, AAUW members will be asked to vote on an amendment to the national bylaws recommended by the AAUW Board of Directors and AAUW Governance Committee that would open membership to any individual who supports AAUW’s important mission of advancing equity for women and girls. This is National AAUW’s third attempt to pass this legislation. Previous attempts failed to get a “Yes” vote from 2/3 of the membership.

Below is a reprint of Gudrun’s excellent article from two years ago, when we voted on the same issue. Gudrun’s position is shared by most branch members.

As you read the article, note that

• A “Yes” vote is consistent with AAUW’s policy of access and equity for all.
• A “No” vote would allow us to continue our Branch’s current approach to inclusivity: We invite all to join. Those without  a degree are local members, but not national members.
  
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”Vote “Yes” in the Spring Election” by Gudrun Hutchins
April, 2022

National AAUW will have an election this spring. The most important question on the ballot will be whether or not applicants will need to have an earned college degree to become a member of the organization in the future. Since we advocate for equal pay and equal rights and opportunities for all, it seems to be obvious that everyone should be eligible for membership. But this has never been the case. To make clear that no one should be excluded from potential membership, National AAUW is calling this “Open Membership.”

Since its founding in 1881, the American Association of University Women has required a college degree to become a member. The specifics of the degree have varied over time. At the beginning, the applicant had to be a woman and have earned a 4 year degree from a select group of colleges and universities that had enough fields of study and suitable facilities for women. Men were admitted to membership at a later date. At the present time, a two year Associates degree is sufficient; but three years of a 4 year bachelor’s degree program are not because the applicant has not earned a degree.

Approximately 20 years ago the members of the Bennington Branch decided this made no sense. We voted to welcome members without a degree as long as they supported education and equal rights and financial security for women. Ever since then several women without an earned college degree have been members of our branch. They have contributed their talents, ideas, and money to the branch and have participated in a variety of branch activities. They have added to the diversity and abilities of our branch members and continue to do so. In spite of this, our non-degree branch members are currently not eligible to become members of National AAUW so that they can contribute fully to our organization. Many of us believe that needs to change.

Open Membership is a bylaws amendment and requires a 2/3 majority for passage. Members have voted in favor of it by a majority twice before, but it has not reached the required 2/3 majority.

Since Bennington Branch members know that non-degree members add to the talents and abilities available within our membership, we should all vote in this election and vote for Open Membership in AAUW.

[The next few paragraphs of Gudrun’s article are not included here as they relate to a 2022 vote on a different bylaw.]

Thank you for caring enough about AAUW to vote for Open Membership. It needs our support and our branch members know that it is valuable.

—Gudrun