AAUW Celebrates 130 Years of Activism for Women

Members of the Birmingham chapter of the American Association of University Women were among the nearly 200 people who attended a soiree to honor AAUW's 130 years of activism.

The Wyandotte-Downriver branch hosted a birthday bash Oct. 19 for three districts of the national group. Held at Orlando Familia Banquet Center in Riverview, the event  included AAUW members from the Wyandotte chapter and Birmingham branch, along with those based in Grosse Pointe, Pontiac, Livonia, Monroe, Northville, Plymouth, Adrian, Albion, Hillsdale, Jackson and Lansing.

Wyandotte Mayor Joseph Peterson read a special proclamation from the city honoring the group before introducing the guest speaker, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Peterson is a former Wyandotte police detective and has worked closely with Worthy in the past, he said, praising her work ethic and her integrity.

She spoke about her “journey” through life that led her to her current job, and impressed the guests with her openness and honesty. Worthy brought along her three young children, all adopted through the foster care system. She talked about being the victim of a sexual assault in the past, and how that experience has made her especially sensitive to the need for justice for crime victims, and of how her work as a prosecutor has made her aware of the need to give children a strong foundation and a loving home.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow offered a video greeting to the group, and speaker Heather Cattalo, an investigative reporter with WXYZ-TV, spoke about the challenges of being a working mother.

Michigan AAUW President Sally Doty gave a presentation on the history of the national group, and said its main focus this year will be to urge potential voters to register and go to the polls. She talked about how to educate the public on issues at stake for women and girls in the 2012 national election.

AAUW is open to all graduates with an associate degree or higher, and advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. The Birmingham chapter is active in many areas, and has been in existence since 1920. The national AAUW was founded 130 years ago.

Birmingham AAUW chapter

The Birmingham branch meets monthly and often hosts informative speakers. To learn more about the Birmingham AAUW chapter, visit its website or contact president Pamela Hoffman at president@aauw-birmmi.org. To learn more about the national AAUW, visit its website.

Are you a member of the Birmingham Branch of the AAUW? Did you attend the event? If so, please feel free to add your photos from the Birthday Bash. We would love to see them!