About AAUW

AAUW Mission

The mission of the AAUW is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.

AAUW Vision

Equity for all.

AAUW Values

The American Association of University Women is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls. Since our founding in 1881, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.

Membership is open to anyone holding an associate, bachelor, or higher degree from an accredited college or university.

In principal and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barrier to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or physical ability.

Nonpartisan – Fact-based – Integrity – Inclusion – Intersectionality

AAUW Funds

What does the money collected support?

AAUW – Maui Branch

    • Educational Opportunities on a Local LevelLocal Scholarships at University of Hawaii Maui College: The money raised from our Annual Whale Watch Fundraising Cruise provides funding for local scholarship programs at University of Hawaii Maui College for qualified students seeking educational funding.  Each year our branch offers three students a $2,000 grant to be used to help support their educational endeavors.  To qualify for one of the scholarships, students submit a grant request application with the Maui College Financial Aid Office and must have completed their freshman year, plan to continue at UH Maui College, and write a compelling essay as to why they require the funds.  A volunteer committee from the AAUW Maui Branch reviews the applications and chooses the recipients.These 3 scholarships, the Dorothy Shimer Scholarship, Harriet Haines Scholarship, and the Heritage Scholarship, at the University of Hawaii Maui College are made possible through the Annual Whale Watch project and are to be used for costs associated with attendance (e.g. tuition, books, fees, etc.)
      • Annual Scholarship Recipient Selection Committee
        Each April, a committee from our branch reviews over 100 applications from qualified UH Maui College Financial Aid Applicants to select three who the committee feels are most deserving of our $2000 scholarships. Then, in May, the committee attends the Financial Awards Banquet where all UH Maui College Grants are bestowed, and we meet our award recipients as they accept our grants.
      • Recipient Criteria:
          • Recipients must be enrolled as undergraduate students pursuing a degree in any area of study at the University of Hawai`i Maui College, including the UHMC Education Centers and the University of Hawai`i Center on Maui.
          • Academic merit as demonstrated by a minimum GPA of 2.5.
          • Some degree of financial need, not necessarily determined by federal guidelines.
          • Recipient must have completed a full academic year at UHMC.
          • Preference shall be given to students in the following order:
            1. Women;
            2. Women finishing their Degree,
            3. Women returning to School;
            4. Single Parents
          • Demonstrating Academic Potential. This criterion will be included as long as it is not determined to be contrary to law or then existing University or Foundation policy.
      • How to apply:
        Information or link needed here.

HOW TO SUPPORT THESE LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS:

Annual Whale Watch Fundraising Cruise 
Each March, the AAUW Maui Branch sponsors a 2-hour Whale Watch Cruise that leaves from Ma’alaea Harbor. The proceeds raised from this event are used to fund our University of Hawaii Maui College Scholarships.

You can support our fundraising efforts by becoming a…

    • Volunteer: The Whale Watch Committee in the months prior need volunteers to help with many planning details, as well as on the day of the Whale Watch.
    • Sponsor: For $350 (or more) you can be a sponsor of the annual whale watch to help defray the fixed costs. As a sponsor you will also get promoted as part of the whale watch advertising.
    • Donor: If you cannot attend our whale watch fund raiser, you can donate the ticket price or any amount you choose to help fund the scholarships.
    • Participant: You can purchase a whale watch ticket and attend for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship for a great cause.

AAUW – National Level

    • Educational Opportunities & Legal Policies

The AAUW Maui Branch has chosen to focus our national fundraising efforts in two areas.

    • The National goals in the area of Economic Security are to:
      • Achieve pay equity by 2030
      • Create inclusive career pathways for women, free of systemic barriers and biases, to attain economic security
    • Deepen women’s retirement security and quality of life
      • The National goals in the area of Education/Training are to:
      • Champion equal access to all levels and fields of education
      • Ensure education at every level is free from sex discrimination

HOW TO SUPPORT THESE FUNDS:

    • Feed the Whale – “pass-the-hat” collection is available at speaker meetings as well as online HERE ***need a link to donate (Pat will provide)