100 YEARS Later–Stronger Than Ever!

Members of AAUW Carlisle and honored guests gathered at the Cumberland County Historical Society the evening of May 10^th to celebrate the branch’s founding on the Dickinson College Campus in 1924.

Earlier in the day, members attended the unveiling of a bronze plaque commemorating the inaugural meeting of 54 members of the Carlisle AAUW branch in Old West.  The plaque will be installed in Old West as a permanent testament to the lasting connection between Dickinson College and AAUW Carlisle.

It took 14 years from the time Dickinson Alumnae requested that Dickinson College be admitted to AAUW to its admission in 1924.  Admission requirements were stringent; AAUW was founded in 1881 with the purpose of opening the doors of higher education to more women and to broaden their opportunities.  To be eligible for admission, colleges and universities had to display high academic standards, adequate provision for women students, women on faculty and administration, and a culture of intellectual freedom.

President James Henry Morgan, Dickinson College President and Josephine Meredith, Dean of Women, took aggressive steps to fulfill these requirements, over the skepticism and misgivings of Dickinson Trustees and Alumni.  AAUW members were characterized as “militant feminists” at the time.  But President Morgan’s wife, Mary Curry Morgan, strongly encouraged him to persevere.

AAUW Organization CEO, Gloria Blackwell, traveled from Washington, D.C. headquarters to recognize and celebrate the branch’s long history in upholding the mission of the AAUW organization and actively participating in and contributing to the Carlisle community.

Today’s AAUW Carlisle is 100 members strong.  Branch activities in the areas of public policy advocacy, higher education scholarships for area women, and research in the areas of equal pay, needed resources for caregivers, and  access to child care is shared with community organizations and local, state and national legislators.  In its 100^th year, it is stronger than ever, and proudly proclaims “Feministic Shenanigans since 1924” as its 100^th Anniversary slogan.