History of the AAUW Green Bay Area Branch Scholarships

Over 115 years ago, seventeen women who had just graduated with University degrees created the national AAUW to encourage higher education for women. In 1927 the Green Bay Branch was organized and the first order of business was to award a $50 scholarship to Vivian Nichols, a graduate of Green Bay West high school who planned to attend the University of Wisconsin. From 1927 – 2017 the branch has given more than $100,000 in local and national scholarships and continues to give annual scholarships today.

While AAUW and the Green Bay Branch have significantly expanded their missions to include a variety of programs to improve opportunities for girls and women, education is still very important. The Green Bay Branch continues to award annual scholarships of $1000 to a returning student at each of the following schools: Bellin College, NWTC and UWGB.

To support the scholarship program, the branch has conducted many types of fundraisers to solicit .  In the early years, Fashion Bridge Tea was held where over 600 women would come to play bridge, see and wear the latest fashions.  Other events were profit sharing with local theater groups, bridge marathons and rummage sales.

The biggest and longest running event to raise funds for our scholarship program was the annual book sale held from 1953 – 2005.

From 2007-2015, the branch held the Women’s History Project, during which women from the branch’s book, “Women of Northeast Wisconsin: Dreamers and Doers” were highlighted.  This event offered tours to historical spots where actors would portray these women and portray their accomplishments. In addition, the branch hosted an annual award luncheon during which people from the community would nominate “Dreamers and Doers” of our times. These women and others were included in the branch’s second publication ” Women of Northeast Wisconsin Vol II” (2020).  It is proceeds from the sales of the books and donations the provide for our annual scholarships.  Information about purchasing the book can be found in the Dreamers and Doers section of the website.