Home

Join AAUW

President's Message

Branch Information

Branch Calendar

Special Interest Groups

Scholarships

AAUW National Association  

PA State Association

AAUW Harrisburg banner image

Welcome to AAUW's Harrisburg, Pennsylvania branch. AAUW is an organization of more than 100,000 members who value education and equal rights -- and together provide a powerful voice for women and girls.

Newsbriefs

Rep. Sheryl DelozerNovember Program featuring Sheryl Delozier.  Join us on Thursday, November 18, 2009 at the Browsing Room of the New Cumberland Library to meet Sheryl Delozier, newly elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Rep. Delozier, a Mechanicsburg resident, will talk about women in government and her personal journey to elected office. The social is at 6:00 p.m. and the program starts at 6:30 p.m.

Please consider bringing a holiday-themed paperback children's book on the 18th to be contributed to the branch's outreach program at the YWCA.

Check your November Connection newsletter or contact Carol (717-737-6659) or Marda (717-877-8261) for more information.
 

Mark your calendar for the Holiday Tea.  The branch's annual tea is set for 2:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5 in the lovely Highmark Room at the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. Come and visit with friends, meet our newest members, and enjoy delectable treats, music, and the Educational Foundation Lasagna Dinner Raffle. Please plan to bring a sweet or savory.

Note: The front door will be staffed from 1:30 until 2:30 pm. If you arrive later than 2:30, press the buzzer and respond "AAUW Tea."
 

(Click program and special interest group for more events listings.)


Join AAUW or renew your membership. You can download the application for membership in AAUW Harrisburg for the 2009-2010 program year now! See join AAUW below for more information. 
 

YWCA outreach program. AAUW Harrisburg Branch has an ongoing outreach project at the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg designed to: (1) promote literacy through a permanent library plus scheduled book gifting; (2) provide “Dinner with the Book Ladies” monthly during the school year; and (3) deliver emergency items for Mothers with children living at the YWCA.

Since this past April, AAUW Harrisburg has been providing YWCA day care books to run their parent/child reading program. With an initial contribution of 75 children's books we now, every other month, provide 25 children's books for this program. As we head toward the holiday season, we would like the 25 children's books for this program to be holiday themed.

You can out the YWCA by bringing a donation to either of the upcoming AAUW programs.

  • November 18. Please bring a paperback holiday children's book to this program as a contribution to the YWCA reading program.

  • December 5. Bring unwrapped, new gifts (placed in paper or plastic
    bags) such as the following for contribution to the YWCA:

    • Sheets (twin), pillows & cases

    • Towels, washcloths, children’s hooded towels

    • Dishes plates, mugs, bowls

    • Pots and pans with lids, crock pots

    • Plastic storage containers (such as Gladware)

    • Silverware serving utensils

    • Toiletries (preferably travel-sized), toiletry/cosmetic bags, sanitary napkins and tampons

    • Baby items diapers, wipes, lotion, nappy cream, strollers, pack 'n' plays, car seats, highchairs

    • Cleaning supplies bleach, wipes, detergent

    • New clothing and underwear children’s boys and girls

    • New socks all sizes, child and adult

    • Shoes, all sizes including children’s

    • Gift cards various stores (Giant, CVS, Walmart)

    • Bus Passes

    • Food for the Y Food Bank, including canned goods, cake mixes, baby food, baby formula, and so on

    • Notebooks/journals for women taking life skills classes

Note: No violent or sexually explicit toys, books or video games will be accepted.
or further sorting. You may provide gift bags or wrapping materials along with the gift, but do not wrap your gift.

You can contact Anita (Adm1105@aol.com or 579-6408) to volunteer to help with the YWCA outreach program or to arrange for delivery or pick-up of donations.

Back to Top

Branch Information

AAUW, founded in 1881, is the largest and oldest national organization for women. AAUW's Mission is advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.

The AAUW Harrisburg Branch was formed in 1921. Branch members are homemakers, career women, public officials, and professionals. They are women in every stage of life, from all religious and ethnic backgrounds. They have joined together to use education for the benefit of women and society. 

Many know of AAUW locally through our support of local scholarship and community programs. Through our scholarship program, we assist local college students in need, as well as older returning students. We also support national AAUW scholarships and research toward educational equity for women and girls.  

Our community outreach also focuses on education and the arts, through work such as a literacy program at the Harrisburg YWCA, and events at our libraries, art museums, and theaters. In fact, we were among the organizations involved in the founding of Theater Harrisburg.

We have a monthly newsletter and a great number of branch project volunteer opportunities. Most of our members participate in lively meetings of special interest groups, for example, to sample fine dining, books, bridge, theater, and arts events.

AAUW Harrisburg's monthly meetings from September through May offer the opportunity to network, as well as a rich calendar of programs. Please come, and see what we're all about--or find out how to join right now.  We are making a special effort to attract young members, and are committed as an organization to be responsive to their needs and desires.  

Check the links below to learn more about AAUW's national programs. Then use your browser's Back button to return to this page.

Public Policy Program   Legal Advocacy Fund   Educational Foundation
Voter Education Campaign     Educational Equity Research

Back to Top

Join AAUW

AAUW membership is open to graduates who hold the baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university, to those who hold an associate or equivalent degree, and to students pursuing a degree.  We value and seek a diverse membership, with no barriers on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.

The annual dues of $85 ($35 for student affiliates) includes membership in the AAUW Association, AAUW-PA, and the AAUW Harrisburg Branch. Dues assistance is available for those who need it; for information, e-mail Adm1105@aol.com

Membership application/renewal form >>

Back to Top

President's Message

I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as President of the Harrisburg Branch of AAUW. This prestigious and historic AAUW branch was founded in 1921 to share the gifts of education with the Harrisburg Community. This mission lives in purpose and practice to this day as the founding mothers of AAUW Harrisburg Branch envisioned it.

AAUW Harrisburg continues to bring life to the AAUW Mission to Advance Equity for Women and Girls through:

Advocacy - our members engage in public policy on the local, state and national levels and give voice to issues of concern to women, girls and families;
Education - our members promote, through community outreach and scholarships, our belief that education is the gateway to economic security for women; and by sharing with the Harrisburg community; and
Research - which is funded collectively by all AAUW branches through our dues and contributions to Association, and which, ultimately, AAUW Harrisburg Branch brings to light and usefulness through our local programs, publications and outreach that help women and girls live better lives.

Why should you join the American Association of University Women, Harrisburg Branch?

Do you want….

…to gain purposeful intellectual stimulation and social awareness?
…to develop new friendships and interests in a community of women?
…to have the opportunity to do community service and make an impact on equity for women and girls?

Are you….

…all-inclusive, welcoming, smart, and fun?
…dedicated to educational opportunities and gender equity?
…all about getting things done in a friendly team environment?

Then, AAUW is for YOU!

Please continue to browse this web site for more information about what's happening with AAUW Harrisburg Branch. Whether you are a member or a visitor, please join us at one of the events on our calendar. Feel free to contact me at 717-737-9981 or by e-mail at tonisimmersaauw@gmail.com, with suggestions, questions, or concerns.

Toni Ann Simmers
President, AAUW Harrisburg

Back to Top

Community Grants

When the Harrisburg Branch has funds available, local agencies are invited to apply for small grants to provide a special program or service that relates to the AAUW Harrisburg mission. The proposal may be for one-time funding or an on-going project. 

Past grants have gone to: Hemlock Girl Scout Council; Friends of the Kline Branch Library; the DELTA Community; Lighthouse Street Ministry; St. Stephen's Episcopal School; Scott School Parent Center; Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) Emergency Assistance Fund; Dauphin County's Kline Branch Library Children's Collection; Penn State Harrisburg Women's Enrichment Center's Educational program for women incarcerated at Dauphin County Prison; Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to coordinate the Adopt-a-School America Reads Program for Harrisburg City School District; and  Harrisburg YWCA TechGyrls Club. 

E-mail any questions. Interested groups may see past grant guidelines at these links: in PDF format or RTF format.  

Back to Top

Special Interest Groups

Many members regard the special interest groups (SIGs) as the "heart" of AAUW.  These small groups meet on a regular basis, usually once per month, to take part in an activity they all enjoy. Joining at least one of these groups is an excellent way for new members to meet people. Each month the special interest group meeting schedules are listed in the branch newsletter, The Connection. New groups may form at any time, according to interest.

Check SIGs events list >>

Back to Top

AAUW - Harrisburg Branch
PO Box 1625, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1625 

Updated November 2009.
E-mail the web manager