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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.


March Presidents Message

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF WOMEN……

In 1920, the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (a predecessor to AAUW) helped raise money to purchase a gram of radium for Marie Curie. The effort was led by Marie Meloney, a journalist and editor of The Delineator women’s magazine, who learned while interviewing Curie that her research was being held back by short supply of radium.

Meloney asked, “If you had the whole world to choose from, what would you take?” Curie replied, “I need a gram of radium to continue my research, but I cannot buy it; radium is
too dear for me.”

Meloney formed the Marie Curie Radium Fund in the U.S., where ACA was an active participant along with the International Federation of University Women American Committee. This committee consisted of 35 women, including leader like: Virginia Gildersleeve, Ada Comstock, Aurelia Reinhardt, Marion Park, Mary Woolley and Meta Glass.

In 1921, Curie and her two daughters visited the U.S. to receive the gift and travel the country. The AAUW New York City (NY) Branch organized an event in her honor at Carnegie Hall. She then traveled to Washington, D.C., and visited the White House, where President Warren Harding presented her with the gram of radium in a lead-lined box.

At the time, a gram of radium cost $100,000. The Marie Curie Radium Fund was so successful that it raised an additional $56,413.54. After Curie died in 1934, the money was passed to her daughter, Irene Joliot-Curie, who continued her mother’s research.

The funds eventually went into a trust managed by a bank, and the ownership of the money was called into question. AAUW had to fight the case in court to secure the money for a cause related to its original purpose. After the court case, the bank granted the funds to AAUW to use for the Marie Curie Fellowship, which was first awarded in 1963, to support a French or American woman studying chemistry, physics, or radiology.

AND THE REST IS HISTORY…….

Our very successful STEAM program is an example of the collective efforts of so many of our members, the Charitable Foundation, and the dedication of STEAM leadership. Inspired by the words of Marie Curie, Scientist & Nobel Prize winner in Physics, “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. Now is the 7me to understand more, so that we may fear less.” Our STEAM Girls received kits and all the necessary elements to explore, experiment, and enjoy the power of learning. We welcome them to the wonderful world of discovery led by the efforts of strong AAUW women!!!


AAUW Greater Naples Branch Will Serve another 250 Local 5th-Grade Girls through its
27th Annual STEAM Girls Count Program in 2024!

This program is designed to inspire girls to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to teach them that the arts are part of, and not apart from STEM.
The Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, Inc. supports the program, which includes delivery to 5th-grade girls at Collier County Public Schools and New Horizons of:
                       • Two STEAM project kits/experiments to complete at home
                       • The book, Girls Think of Everything, written and signed by Catherine                                          Thimmesh, about women scientists and inventors; and
                       • Access to professionally produced videos of local women in STEAM careers,                            and videos of local women pursuing degrees in STEM fields, together with                                their biographies; and
                      • Safety goggles and feedback forms, all packed into reusable tote bags

95% of the girls responding said that the STEAM Girls Count Program inspired them to want to learn more about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and STEAM careers.

To volunteer, contact Carol Siwinski

We are very excited to recognize our generous new donors to the 2024 program, Suncoast Credit Union, the Hyman Family Foundation, and Engel & Völkers! We thank them and our generous recurring donors Arthrex, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Collier County Public Schools. Without their support, this program would not be possible.

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