Our branch was organized in March of 1955 and received into the Virginia Division that Fall. Composed primarily of young college educated women at home with young children in a young community of newly built homes, it has evolved into an organization of women of many ages with strong interest in current issues, particularly women’s issues. Our branch has strongly supported AAUW’s mission. We invite you to browse and learn more about our branch programs, community impact activities and special interest groups.
AAUW Celebrating Over 140 Years
AAUW Mission Statement
To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. Vision: Equity for all. Values: Non-partisan. Fact based.
AAUW Diversity Statement
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team, and board of directors. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
Advocating for Women’s Health Care and Economic Security
AAUW believes everyone has the right to make decisions about their own reproductive lives without government interference. Abortion access is vital to women’s ability to control their lives, bodies and futures. Without reproductive freedom, there can be no equity. Click here for AAUW National Statement
October 3 Latina Equal Pay Day. Latinas working full-time, year-round are paid 57 cents and all earners (including part-time and seasonal) are paid 52 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men.
October 16 AAUW Webinar on gender equity issues at stake in the November election, voter protection information, and how you can help. Register here: https://www.aauwaction.org/my-vote/
We need to keep the pressure on our legislators to rectify this gross inequality – for all women.
Did You Know? You can sign up now to start your free, online salary negotiation workshop. Just go to https://salary.aauw.org/ to begin. AAUW Start Smart is designed for college women who are approaching the job market. AAUW Work Smart is designed for women in the workforce at any career level.
Upcoming Programs: Irene McGhee, Amy Crolius, Co-Vice Presidents for Programs
Saturday, October 19, 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Pohick Regional Library
Author, Sida Lei is our guest speaker for the
Branch Program Meeting, Saturday, October 19, 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Ms. Lei plans to talk about her book, Two Teaspoons of Rice, The Memoir of a Cambodian Orphan, a story of courage,
resourcefulness, and survival. She will also address her assimilation in America as a refugee. Ms. Lei is a medical technician at Fairfax Inova Hospital and lives in
Springfield.
Books will be available for purchase from Ms. Lei for $15.00, cash preferred.
Saturday, November 16, 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Pohick Regional Library
Eileen Filler-Corn, former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, is our guest speaker for the Branch Program Meeting, Saturday, November 16, 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. She is scheduled to speak about her personal involvement and experiences, and to the current
state of the State.
Ms. Filler-Corn is an American lawyer and politician who served as the Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates from January to April 2022, a position she previously held from 2019 to 2020. She also previously served as the 56th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2020 to 2022. She represented the 41st District in the Fairfax County suburbs of Washington, D.C., from 2010 to 2024.
Public Policy and Advocacy: Susan Burk, Public Policy Chair
Your Vote is Your Voice!
The November election is barreling toward us. The results up and down the ballot will impact our AAUW policy priorities, as is evident from the candidates themselves. While we adhere strictly to our non-partisan principles, there are other ways to Get Out the Vote (GOTV). Thank you to all members who supported GOTV by writing postcards to voters in the Commonwealth for Reclaim Our Vote, an organization that reaches out to “underrepresented voters.” This year, our Branch wrote 500 postcards and enjoyed gathering at postcard writing parties hosted by Debbie Gilligan and Cathie Boivin. Brava!!
There is no shortage of information on Virginia’s voting procedures, so please make sure you are up-to-date.
VOTE411
Run by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF), Vote411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the following aspects of the election process:
- Absentee ballot information
- Ballot measure information (where applicable)
- Early voting options (where applicable)
- Election dates
- Factual data on candidates in various federal, state, and local races
- General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye
- ID requirements
- Polling place locations
- Registration deadlines
- Voter qualifications
- Voter registration forms
- Voting machines
An important component of Vote411.org is the polling place locator, which enables users to type in their address and retrieve the poll location for the voting precinct in which that address is located.
In-Person Early Voting
Many of us opt to vote early in-person or via absentee ballot. It’s an option that no longer requires an “excuse.” Here’s what you need to know if you are an in-person early voter:
- In-person early voting will be available from September 20 through November 2 for the November 5 General and Special Elections.
- Only Fairfax County registered voters may vote at any Fairfax County early voting location.
- Voters must present an acceptable ID or may sign an ID Confirmation Statement.
- Curbside voting is available for eligible voters.
- Absentee by mail voters may vote early in person if they choose. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 25. If you received a ballot in the mail, you must bring it with you and surrender it to vote in person. If you received a ballot but do not bring it with you, you may vote a provisional ballot. Mail ballot drop boxes are available during early voting location operating hours.
- Same-day registration is available between October 16 and November 2 at early voting locations. Voters submitting a same-day registration will vote a provisional ballot.
Questions? Email Voting@FairfaxCounty.gov or check our FAQs.
Diversity, Equity and IncIusion: Judy Baldwin
Congratulations to Our 2024 Student Inclusion Award Winner!
Kayla Boateng, from John R. Lewis High School, has been selected as our 2024 Inclusion Award
recipient. Kayla created the club, Girls Need Love, at her school to provide a place to encourage, empower and help every girl learn about themselves and grow as individuals.
Kayla recieved the award from Judy Baldwin at our Inclusion Meeting on April 20, and gave a wonderful presentation about the club which now has over 60 members. The Student Inclusion Award is given to qualifying juniors from our four area high schools – Annandale, Lake Braddock, John R. Lewis, and West Springfield. The award recognizes Junior students who are promoting inclusiveness and fighting bullying and exclusion in their schools.
Save The Dates
Friday, December 6 Holiday Luncheon at Maggiano’s
6500 Springfield Town Center, Springfield.
Watch for more information in the
November UPDATES.
2025 AAUW-VA State Conference – March 28-29, 2025
Join us in March for the 2025 AAUW-VA State Conference in Old Town, Alexandria. Refer to the flyer at the end of this newsletter for more information.
Friday, May 9 Spring Fling Fundraiser
Save Friday, May 9, for the Springfield-Annandale Branch Spring Fling, at the Springfield Golf and Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Drive, Springfield.
Be a Two Minute Activist Fight for equal pay, family leave, stopping sexual harassment, and equal opportunity in education from the comfort of your own home. Sign up to be a Two Minute Activist and get regular alerts and the opportunity to take action. AAUW.org/act/two-minute-activist/. It couldn’t be easier!
Please note that phone numbers and street addresses are not used in the main body of the website. Consult your membership directory or the online directory on the Members Only page or use the Contact Us page to contact them.