AAUW’s Mission, Vision and Values
AAUW advances gender equality for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
The AAUW vision is equity for all.
AAUW Values: Nonpartisan: Fact-based; Integrity; Inclusion and Intersectionality. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, AAUW has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and over 800 college and university partners. Throughout its history, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day – educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW Greater Naples Branch is one of the most active in the state of Florida, with an engaged membership of over 100 and growing.
Co-Presidents’ Message
Dear Branch Members,
We are excited to welcome you to another year of advancing equity for women and girls through education, advocacy and community engagement.
We look forward to our monthly Branch meetings with thought-provoking speakers, a wonderful Holiday Luncheon, many Special Interest Group gatherings and a spring filled with achieving our program goals. Thanks to your generosity and hard work last year, our organization touched the lives of literally hundreds of elementary and middle school girls and gave 17 $2000 higher education scholarships. This year we will continue building on our success.
According to Gloria Blackwell, AAUW CEO, “This year, higher education has faced profound challenges — from attacks on academic freedom to widening gaps in access and opportunity. But AAUW remains steadfast. For more than a century, we’ve championed women’s education — especially for those from underrepresented communities. Today, our mission is more vital than ever. We’re proud to be the largest non-institutional funder of women’s graduate-level education in the U.S. ”
With your support, we will remain a powerful voice for equity, inclusion and opportunity in our community. We are women of Action with a long and proud history of advancing equity through scholarships, advocacy and education!
We strongly encourage each of you to get involved—whether by attending meetings, events, joining committees, mentoring new members or lending your voice to our public policy initiatives. Every action brings us closer to the future we envision: a world where all women and girls can thrive.
Thank you for your commitment to our mission. Let’s make 2025-2026 a season of growth, collaboration and impact!
With gratitude and enthusiasm,
Sylvia and Lucy
Co-Presidents
THE AAUW GREATER NAPLES BRANCH AND THE GREATER NAPLES AAUW CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. CONGRATULATE THE SEVENTEEN AMAZING LOCAL WOMEN AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS THIS YEAR!!
The AAUW Greater Naples Branch and Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, Inc. have annually awarded scholarships to deserving local women for over 20 years. We award “Local” scholarships to women aged 21 or over who are seeking degrees in any field, STEM scholarships to women who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields, and Future Educator scholarships. At our Annual Scholarship Luncheon at Tiburón Golf Club on April 5, we awarded scholarships to 17 wonderful local women:
- Geselle Mendez- Hernandez received the Patricia Ann Weinswig Tribute STEM Scholarship.
- Brittany Jarvis, a prior recipient, received the second Friends of Bayview I Scholarship.
- Lydia Sears, another prior recipient, received the Mary Schell Tribute Scholarship.
- Alina Zankevich, also a previous recipient, was awarded a Candris STEM Scholarship.
- Islande Victorin was awarded the third scholarship funded by Dellatoré Real Estate Company.
- Camaraelle Milord’s scholarship is funded through a McMahon Foundation endowment.
- Graciela Cervantes’s scholarship is also funded through a McMahon Foundation endowment.
- Tracey Lindvall received a Local scholarship.
- Rebecca Robertsis receiving the Jeannine Stetson Tribute STEM scholarship.
- Megan Swanson, another second time recipient, was awarded a Local scholarship.
- Kayla Miranda, another previous recipient, also received a Local scholarship.
- Juliana Noreus was awarded The Naples Money Managers, LLC STEM scholarship.
- Cessia Elwin-Flores received her second Candris STEM Scholarship.
- Gabriella Nagy, is also a second time recipient of a Candris STEM Scholarship.
- Emmanuelle Legermewas awarded a Local Scholarship.
- Lian Paje was awarded the fourth endowed Blanche and John Rebar STEM Scholarship.
- Mariela Vegawas awarded the Catherine E. Hackney, Ph.D. Memorial Scholarship funded by the Southwest Florida Women Giving Together Giving Circle.
To learn more about these accomplished women, click here.
The Foundation has a Named Scholarship Opportunity for a minimum donation of just $2000. This is an opportunity for business owners, individuals, and families to provide and name a one-year scholarship without the responsibility of recruiting or selecting scholarship candidates and without an on-going financial commitment.
For more information about our scholarship program, please visit our Scholarships webpage, https://greaternaples-fl.aauw.net/scholarships/.
If you are interested in helping the Foundation support the scholarship
programs, contributions may be made by clicking the yellow or blue “Donate” button on the right of your screen or by check payable to “Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, Inc,” and mailed to Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, Inc., PO Box 9742, Naples, FL 34101. You may designate a specific fund if you wish. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
We Mourn the Death of our Dear Member, Catherine E. Hackney, Ph.D.
Click this link for her obituary.
Click this link for the flyer about the Endowed Scholarship Fund in her name and how you can contribute.
OPENING DOORS FOR LOCAL FIFTH-GRADE GIRLS FOR 28 YEARS, OUR ANNUAL STEAM GIRLS COUNT PROGRAM SERVED A RECORD 298 LOCAL GIRLS THIS YEAR!
This impactful program continues to open doors for young girls in fields where women remain underrepresented, helping them envision a future full of possibilities. Together, we’re building confidence, curiosity, and a brighter tomorrow—one STEAM-powered girl at a time!
Once again, under the inspiring leadership of STEAM Program Chair Charmaine Klein, the wonderful women of the AAUW Greater Naples Branch proudly delivered another successful year of the STEAM program for local 5th-grade girls, called STEAM Girls Count.
STEAM Girls Count inspires girls’ passion for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
95% of the 213 CCPS girls who responded said the AAUW GNB STEAM Girls Count program inspired them to want to learn more about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and STEAM careers! Though fewer of the responding New Horizons girls (67%) said the same, the same number reported having done additional research, and 71% said they’d share their experience with their class.
We are deeply grateful to the generous donors for this program who made it possible. Thank you for investing in the futures of local girls!
To learn more about STEAM Girls Count, and how you can help, go to https://greaternaples-fl.aauw.net/steam/ or contact us.
