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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) was established in Boston in 1882 as the world's first organization of college and university trained women. AAUW's purpose was to unite collegiate alumnae from various institutions "for practical educational work." By the 1980s the Association had members in every state, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands organized into more than 1,800 branches and fifty state divisions. In addition, over 600 colleges and universities are corporate members of the Association in this country. Internationally, the Association holds membership in the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), which AAUW helped to found in 1919. As IFUW members, women around the world work for better international understanding and peace.

AAUW members participate in study and action on contemporary problems and issues. The organization is a coalition of womenpower joined together to influence state and federal legislation on matters relating to education of women, health, children, international affairs, arts and culture, etc.

Qualification for membership in AAUW was problematic before 1963, in part because of the Association's insistence that each institution of higher education meet AAUW standards before its graduates were accepted. The philosophy behind the eligibility requirements was intended to encourage women to pressure their colleges to meet the AAUW standards. In Montana, only Montana State College and University of Montana graduates qualified for membership until the state's two-year colleges became accredited four-year schools and awarded the baccalaureate degree. Furthermore, in addition to complying with national standards, local branches had to determine whether a member was a college graduate or had only attended college. Membership requirements were liberalized in 1963 at the national convention held in Denver, Colorado.

AAUW flourished in Montana when branches were established in at least five communities by the mid-1920s. The state belonged to the North Pacific Section with regional leadership provided in 1923 by Leile Hutchens and in 1927 by Anna Lytle Brannon, both of Missoula. Regional and state conferences were essential at that time because of the long distance from the east where national conventions were held. As branch membership increased, members became more and more interested in local education and government issues and wished to concentrate on state and local matters. Consequently, the movement for a state organization became a reality for Montana in 1928 when the first state biennial convention of the Montana Division of AAUW met in Missoula.

The Montana Division organization is a liaison between the national organization and branches, and serves to coordinate AAUW activities having a state-wide focus. For instance, in the 1930s, the issue of admission of agricultural colleges to AAUW membership was of minimal concern to the national association, but meant membership growth to Montana and therefore became an important issue for the state Division. Division officers are elected from a pool of branch leaders who have served their terms. An important example of branch and Division cooperation and accomplishment is the inclusion of public kindergarten in the Montana school system in 1971. Division leaders have included Natalie Cannon, Maxine Johnson, Harriett Meloy, Doris Davies, Toni Hagener, Anne Needham, and Stacy Jovick.

An important function of AAUW is the Fellowships program, which provides a grant to graduate scholars to continue study and research. The fund was initiated in 1888, and since then awards have been given to women from the United States and seventy-seven other countries to continue education in all professional fields. Fellowships fundraising is a function of the branches with annual used book sales being the standard big money maker over the years.

Branch program topics are the nucleus of the study component of AAUW. These topics focus on a variety of themes. During the early years study topics had cultural emphases. Although national program material was incorporated into monthly branch programs to some extent, most attention was given to the preferences of individual members. AAUW interests have included education, status of women, international relations, community relations, legislation, fellowships, the arts, law, science, family, etc. In addition to monthly meetings, study groups, and fundraising, there is continual effort expended on branch projects such as encouraging quality day care (Missoula and Helena), urging change in elementary school library services (Helena), introducing reading programs to children with low reading skills (Havre), improving mental health programs in communities, etc.

An essay contest--begun in the 1980s--is a popular AAUW activity. High school students from around the state choose a Montana woman to write about. Prizes are given on local and state levels for the best essays. This contest was created to increase awareness of societal contributions by Montana women.

AAUW membership decreased in recent years due to a number of factors. Most importantly, by the 1980s, numerous community organizations developed to accomplish many of the goals that had been AAUW's points of concentration over the years, and women were joining the work force in increasing numbers. Women who had been loyal AAUW members either joined other organizations or were too busy for meetings. However, a nucleus group of women continued to maintain membership and enthusiasm for the promotion of women's interest in government, business, education, health, and the arts in Montana, through AAUW.