AAUW (formerly known as the American Association of University Women) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. 
The AAUW Naperville Area, Illinois Branch was chartered April 20, 1956.
What is AAUW?
June 6-9, 2018 – Used Book & Media Sale
May 19 Book Drive, 9 am – 12 noon
Knox Presbyterian Church
ERA Action Now – Illinois Senate Approved the US Constitutional Equal Rights Amendment, now on to the Illinois House to approve SJRCA4.
The adoption of this US Constitutional amendment is designed to guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex; it seeks to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters. The IL Senate approved the amendment by passing Senate Joint Resolution CA4 in April, 2018.
May 8th over 250 women rallied in Springfield and talked with representatives. Now it is up to the House to put Illinois on the right side of history. The 1970 IL constitution has an equal rights clause; why not give all women in the USA equal rights by ratifying the ERA? Call your IL state representative today to ask their support for the ERA! (SJRCA4)
79 Examples Poster of How Women Are Still Treated Unequally.
#StandUptoSexism
Add your voice/image to the Twitter campaign!
Sexism: Not All in Your Head panel discussion recording.
Do You Have an Unconscious Bias? Watch this video!
National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL)
Naperville Area AAUW Sponsored Attendees Travel to Washington D.C. in June
2017 is the 
sixth year the Naperville Area AAUW branch has sponsored two college student leaders. Manilyn Gumapas of North Central College and Alexandra Karwowska of Benedictine University have been selected for the 2017 conference.
Emily Salomone,
North Central College, and Reenie Baidya, Benedictine University attended the 2016 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders at the University of Maryland.
The life changing conference includes a series of leadership sessions and keynote speakers. In an evening ceremony, awards are presented to women of distinction and participants are able to talk with these outstanding women. Also, there are opportunities to visit Washington, DC and talk with women who work on Capitol Hill.
Give a grad a gift – a free membership in AAUW! Join us for education, community programs, legislative advocacy, research and scholarships for women. We welcome new members to join our branch. Grow the Branch membership campaign is ongoing. Contact us: aauwnaperville@hotmail.com
May Awards Brunch, Our AAUW Funds at Work/Community Grant 
Skyler Schrempp, is Artistic Director for the Viola Project, a program that empowers girls in Chicago’s underserved communities through Shakespeare. The Viola Project received a 2016-2017 AAUW Community Action Grant.
The Viola Project celebrates play and performance while creating a foundation for young women to advocate for themselves and demand inclusion in the classroom, at work, in the world and on the stage. Students have the opportunity to examine critical issues through creative play, interdisciplinary workshops, and, of course, through Shakespeare. There is no better teacher for how to use language to make one’s voice heard than William Shakespeare.
Every year we recognize a Naperville-area woman who has demonstrated through her actions an exceptional level of commitment to the community; has, through her actions, supported the advancement of equity for women and girls, and is recognized by the community for her leadership and accomplishments.
This year’s AAUW Woman of the Year, fits that description very well. Sandy Benson recently retired after 25 years with the Community and Government Relations Department of Edwards Hospital. In addition to this position, she served on many area Non-Profit organizations and boards. Her dedication to Naperville is clear with her participation in the Naperville Public 
Library board, Naperville Rotary Club, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center, 2000 Naperville Citizen Police Academy, numerous School District Foundations and Committees, Benedictine University Business Advisory Board, Naper Settlement Museum Board and her church.
In her role with the Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center, Sandy channeled her passion for women’s mental health issues to found the Silent Samaritans Program. The motto of “women helping women” sums up this program that raises funds to ensure that every woman who comes to the Samaritan Network seeking help, regardless of her ability to pay, will be served. Sandy has served as the chair for nine years and continues to be instrumental in raising funds for women and children to receive subsidized mental health counseling.
AAUW – League of Women Voters Naperville City Council Candidate Forum March 22 Recording
http://naperville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1048
2017 Tech Savvy Program: March 25 at Triton College
Girls chose from 12 hands-on science, technology, engineering or math activities such as robotics, DNA, apps, electric circuitry, architecture or astronomy as well as personal savvy skills workshops in the afternoon.
The Naperville AAUW branch is co-sponsoring this program and assisting as volunteers in coordinating the participants and supporting workshop presenters.
NEW AAUW Research Leadership research report: Barriers and Bias
The research is based on the issue of why the number of women in leadership roles is less than men. The report identifies reasons and how to address them to change the situation. A key factor is implicit bias. You can take an online quiz to determine your level of implicit bias against women in leadership roles.
Research report: Solving the Equation
From the research team who brought you Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics comes a deeper dive into engineering and computing, fields that offer 80 percent of STEM jobs but still boast dismal numbers of women students and workers. Solving the Equation focuses on engineering and computing fields.
Why So Few A panel of experts discuss why so few women are in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers. Research report (pdf document.)
Past Program Highlights:
Immigration Facts & Challenges:
Imm
igration has been a “hot” topic for almost all of our history. Presentation of the facts about immigrants’ legal status and economic issues such as welfare, wages and ability to pay taxes. Discover the challenges today’s immigrants have to face and how our immigrant population is changing.
Our expert speakers: Susan Bachmeier, Immigrant Legal Services Senior Specialist, and Shirley Sadjadi, Principal Attorney and founder, law offices of Shirley Sadjadi, Elgin IL.
April 2017 Program: President of College of DuPage, Dr. Ann Rondeau, the second woman ever to achieve the rank of three-star admiral with the U.S. Navy shared her experiences as a successful woman in a predominantly male-led environment, COD’s regional impact and her vision for the College’s future. She is a past president of the National Defense University, a consortium of five colleges and nine research centers in Washington D.C.
February 2015 Human Trafficking in Our Own Backyard
Human trafficking in DuPage/Will/Kane counties: get the facts, learn the extent of the crime, local anti-trafficking coalitions, human service agencies and how you can help.
Naperville Area AAUW Facebook page