2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 574

Commending the Virginia chapter of the American Association of University Women.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 10, 2025

Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 2025

WHEREAS, the Virginia chapter of the American Association of University Women, an organization dedicated to advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025; and

WHEREAS, on March 27–28, 1925, members from seven different branches of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in the Commonwealth met in Williamsburg to establish a Virginia chapter of the organization; and

WHEREAS, in the beginning, AAUW–Virginia was mostly composed of educators who were resolved to work for an increase in funds for state-supported schools and a program for preschool children; and

WHEREAS, in the 1930s, AAUW–Virginia worked to improve school curricula, promoted teacher training, fought for equal salaries for men and women teachers, and supported overturning the discriminatory ruling against married women teaching in public schools; and

WHEREAS, in the 1940s, the number of local branches of the AAUW in the Commonwealth grew, and the members of AAUW–Virginia worked around travel restrictions from World War II as they supported the national organization in its efforts to help women in Axis and occupied nations escape to safety and advocated for women's right to participate in jury duty; and

WHEREAS, in the 1950s, when some schools were closed following federal court orders, several AAUW branches in the Commonwealth established tutoring groups, laying the groundwork for the organization's firm and courageous stand for the preservation of a statewide system of free public schools; and

WHEREAS, in the 1960s, AAUW–Virginia worked for compulsory school attendance and advanced the organization's efforts to protect and improve the legal status of women; and

WHEREAS, since the 1970s, AAUW–Virginia has supported a number of causes in its fight for gender equality, including the Equal Rights Amendment and the admission of women into the Virginia Military Institute; and

WHEREAS, as it embarks upon its next century, AAUW–Virginia remains steadfastly committed to its aim to advance equity for women and girls in higher education and to promote women's economic empowerment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia chapter of the American Association of University Women on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia chapter of the American Association of University Women as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's history and legacy of service.