• Home
• State Board
• Calendar
• Membership
• Branches
• About Us
• AAUW Funds
  • EF
  • LAF
• LOL & BBC
• CU Reps
• Site Map
• Awards

Duluth Branch

Co - President :    Mary Ann Lucas Houx   email    218-525-5040
Co - President:    Karen Keenan    email   218-724-5428

DULUTH Best of the Year

The Duluth Branch of AAUW programs varied this year, beginning with our annual garden party in August where we heard from all members present and talked about the coming events for the year. Branch Focus Groups continue to remain active. Our fall program focused on children with a presentation titled, “If Ritalin Is Not the Answer, What Is?” During the end of the year our board will work through a strategic planning session to focus on our mission and programs for the coming year.

This year we are especially pleased with our cooperative programs between the Duluth Branch and local higher education institutions. We had a good response with our joint planning with the Women’s Studies Department at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, in celebrating Women’s History Month. Dr. Jane Maddy did a presentation titled, “Equity Is Still an Issue.” She discussed pay gap and sexual harassment and gender equity based on research done by AAUW. The audience included AAUW members and UMD students and staff members. Our branch also worked with the College of St. Scholastica to present our “Women in the Musical Arts” program and with Lake Superior College to present our “Women in Education” program.  It is our plan to continue to develop cooperative programs with our colleges. This approach helps to include and involve female students and faculty in our AAUW programs.

The major fundraiser for the year was our style show. Money was raised through this effort for EF as well as for two $1,000 scholarships for post-baccalaureate study. We continue to collect gifts for this area’s Women’s Shelter. Additionally, this year the Board provided gifts for the children of two single mothers going to Lake Superior College. 

The year has not been without challenges. We continue to struggle with membership, especially in the area of attracting younger members. Further, it is difficult to get volunteers for leadership positions. One way to address this second challenge is through co-chairs. This leadership structure helps fill these positions. We are using our reserves to try to strengthen our programming. Our co-presidents and board members, who work hard and well together, help to continue the mission of AAUW in the Duluth area.