Scholarship and Legal Advocacy Fund

Each year the Elyria Branch awards a scholarship for high academic achievement to a female second-year student, in a degree program, who has completed two years at Lorain County Community College and is seeking a four-year baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university.

In addition, every other year the Elyria Branch contributes $500 in a named grant to the AAUW Education Foundation. The AAUW Educational Foundation was established in 1958 to continue the tradition of social consciousness first begun in 1888. The many programs of the Foundation reflect its purposes:

• Encouraging women to continue their education,
• Providing American fellowships and grants for women scholars,
• Fostering and developing better international understanding,
• Engaging in and promoting studies and research to provide for the diffusion of knowledge and individual growth,
• Sponsoring and supporting conferences and seminars related to AAUW’s interests, and encouraging standards of excellence in education.

Annually the Elyria Branch raises funds to send several middle-school age girls to Be-Wise Camp, a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camp that is held during the summer months.

The Elyria Branch also provides financial support to the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF). Since 1981, LAF has promoted equity for women in higher education – equity in pay, equity in tenure and equity in treatment. Since its inception LAF has provided more than $600,000 to help students, faculty and administrators challenge discriminatory practices involving harassment, denial of tenure or promotions, and aid for women’s athletic program. Besides financial support, LAF also provides technical assistance for lawsuits.