The forerunner of the American Association of University Women was called the College Women’s Club which was formed in 1897. The purpose of the club was to encourage high school girls to attend college and to assist them financially through loans and scholarships.  The club’s funding was raised through benefits, concerts, suppers and teas. In 1938 the club became the backbone of the Peoria Branch of Association of University Women.

Today the branch follows the same goal, that of providing scholarships for worthy young women. We give local scholarships and also give to the National Organization to further the cause of educating deserving young women.

The branch holds luncheon meetings in which there is an interesting and informative program. Meetings take place September-December and March-June. We have several special interest groups which meet monthly. These groups include: Book Clubs, International Affairs, Bridge and Art.

A monthly newsletter is published which is sent to all our members that contains current information about what is going on in our organization. We also publish a very comprehensive Yearbook that lists our board members and vital information on how to contact them. A schedule of the year’s events is included.

Our Scholarship Committee holds several fundraising events including Potlucks where food is provided by our board and Bakeless Bake sales. Our Public Policy Committee always select a special project. This year it will sponsor a program to provide books for children whose families are unable to purchase them.

We maintain close ties with the District, State, and National organization of AAUW.  Our mission as all AAUW Branches is to promote equity for all women and girls, lifelong education and positive societal change. We support the National Organization in their struggle to secure equal pay for women in the workplace through legislation at the National level.

The purpose of setting up this Website for our branch is to attempt recruiting young women members as our population is aging and needs to be replaced with active young women who have a vision of how women are to be perceived in the Twenty-first Century.