AAUW is a nationwide network of more than 170,000 members and supporters which includes 1,000 branches and 800 college/university partners in local communities across the country.  For more than 130 years, AAUW has worked as a national grassroots organization to improve the lives of millions of women and their families. 

MISSION:
Gender Equity & Economic Security

AAUW had led the fight for fair pay and economic opportunity for women — and the battle continues: Women still get just 82 cents for every dollar paid to a man, and men continue to dominate the top roles and highest-paying professions.

VALUES
Intersectional. Inclusive. Intergenerational. Empowering.

Though AAUW is nonpartisan, it is not values-neutral: AAUW fights to remove the barriers and biases that stand in the way of gender equity, and trains women to negotiate for pay and benefits and to pursue leadership roles. AAUW also advocates for federal, state and local laws and policies to ensure equity and end discrimination.

FOCUS
Economic Security—AAUW works to narrow the gender pay gap, which impacts women as soon as they enter the workforce and widens throughout their working lives. Unequal wages stand in the way of a woman’s ability to pay off student debt, build wealth and save for a secure retirement.

Education—AAUW champions equal opportunities in education. Though more than 60% of college graduates are women, they face barriers and biases throughout their schooling. From pre-school to graduate school, girls and women are unconsciously steered into certain fields of studies and away more lucrative ones, such as in STEM.

Advocacy—AAUW members, supporters and staff work on local, state and federal levels to support laws and policies that enable women’s success. AAUW’s work in statehouses and the U.S. Capitol has helped pass hundreds of pieces of legislation. Its Legal Advocacy team has supported plaintiffs in more than 125 gender equity legal cases.

Fellowships & Grants—AAUW has awarded over $115 million in fellowships and grants to more than 13,000 scholars and organizations in 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Gaum and 150 countries, one of the largest scholarship programs for women in the world.

Work Smart—Our online and in-person salary negotiation classes have reached hundreds of thousands of women nationwide and are helping them to push for the pay, benefits and leadership roles they deserve.

The AAUW Greater Naples Branch is one of the most active in Florida, with a membership of approximately 100, and growing. Among other things:

–Our Public Policy Committee stays busy advocating for women and girls and AAUW priorities;

—Donations from members and others enabled our Foundation to award a total of $24,000 in scholarships to 12 deserving local women in 2021;

–The Branch served 195 fifth Grade Girls through our 24th annual STEAM Girls Count program, STEAM in a Box, held in conjunction with the Collier County Public Schools to encourage the girls’ interest in STEAM education and careers.  

—Branch members facilitated the AAUW StartSmart program at FGCU providing strategies to help women maximize salary and benefits. .

Additionally, through our (virtual and in-person) Branch meeting programs, Talks & Tours and special interest groups (such as book groups, Great Decisions, Movie & a Meal and Non-sequiturs) members participate in life-long learning–and have fun in the process!

In principle and in practice, AAUW and the Greater Naples Branch value and seek an inclusive membership and board of directors. Membership is open to all those holding an associate degree or equivalent, bachelors or higher degree, and to those pursuing a college degree. AAUW and the Greater Naples Branch welcome all eligible persons regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, offering the camaraderie of educated, informed women and the mental stimulation of life-long learning to all.  Membership is not by invitation.

Annual dues include membership in the AAUW Greater Naples Branch, AAUW Florida and the National organization, as well as subscriptions to each organization’s newsletters.   Click the Join Us link to join or view the Application.

The Greater Naples Branch AAUW monthly program meetings are open to all members and to the public. View the calendar for dates and times.

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