About AAUW

2025 AAUW Strategic Plan

AAUW empowers women and girls by championing their success in higher education and pushing for policy solutions to create lasting change

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Our Purpose

AAUW’s mission to advance equity for women and girls hinges on the foundational belief that economic empowerment is essential for gender equity. Supporting women in higher education is crucial to this mission because it serves as a key pathway to economic security and upward mobility.

  • We believe that higher education is a key driver to achieving economic prosperity
  • We believe economies thrive when all women are empowered and educated
  • We believe in equitable access to higher education that is diverse and inclusive, and free of harassment and discrimination that could hinder the advancement of women
  • We believe women deserve the opportunity to pursue and thrive in any career they choose
  • We believe working women deserve equitable access and advancement in their careers, free from harassment and discrimination, with equity of pay, greater access to quality & affordable dependent care, paid family, medical, & sick leave, and a full range of reproductive health care services, to ensure economic security
  • We believe in the dignity of all women – inclusive of the backgrounds they represent, including race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation, and geographic location – and value their equitable participation in education, the workforce, and policy decisions

We empower potential.

Priorities

Champion gender equity by directly funding and empowering pathways to higher education for women, supporting women in academia and research, and fostering women’s leadership.
  • Provide direct funding for women in underserved communities and in fields where women are traditionally underrepresented, including STEM fields

  • Empower a global workforce of women by funding international graduate study in the US and community-based projects focused on women and girls when they return home

  • Deepen the pipeline of women in STEM through early education engagement and fellowships and grants for women pursuing STEM degrees

  • Provide direct funding for women pursuing tenure-track and leadership faculty positions in academia

  • Grow the movement for gender equity by cultivating thriving networks to equip fellowships and grants alumnae with the resources needed to become empowered leaders

  • Fund and uplift research by leading women academics


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    Champion gender equity through education and advocacy for inclusive policies that remove barriers to success in higher education and workplaces.
  • Champion legislation supporting women’s success in higher education – including pay equity, paid family and medical leave, paid sick days, robust workplace harassment protections, access to affordable child and elder care, and access to contraception and abortion care

  • Fight to ensure educational environments are inclusive and free from harassment, bullying and sexual assault by supporting vigorous enforcement of Title IX and other civil rights laws and rules that strengthen students’ civil rights protections

  • Fight to improve access to affordable and inclusive higher education for women that yields high-quality credentials, training programs, degrees and professional development opportunities to meet the demands of evolving societal needs

  • Support college and university students, staff and faculty with salary negotiation and financial literacy training, and other equity and inclusion efforts

  • Defend and promote the principles of equity, inclusion, diversity and intersectionality in higher education and across all AAUW activities, affiliates and participants
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    Support local state and branch efforts and maximize AAUW’s financial and operational strength

  • Build a movement of champions for gender equity by supporting an effective network of states and branches that promote AAUW’s mission with their local education and equity efforts

  • Empower AAUW members and supporters to align with AAUW’s mission and values, and financially support AAUW

  • Rigorously and continuously evaluate AAUW’s work to maximize impact and resources

  • Strengthen AAUW’s financial position and long-term sustainability

  • Create cost-effective strategic and integrated national infrastructure to support all of AAUW’s operations
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    Equity Through Education

    When a woman is educated, she unlocks not only her own power but the potential of entire communities. Education isn’t just a right—it’s the foundation of equity, the engine of opportunity, and the key to a future where every woman can thrive.

    Gloria L. Blackwell, AAUW CEO

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