Arrangement
Series I consists of Treasurer’s files from 1994 to 2010. The series contains budget and financial records, operations revenue and disbursement, membership dues and rosters, and Educational Foundation records. Series II includes Branch Program Files for programs the Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch conducted or participated in from 1968-1995. The third series consists of Membership files from 2008-2010, with directory lists, board meeting minutes, and dues records. The fourth series contains Historian files from 1957 to 2011.These records include Branch directories, policy manuals, and Branch-initiated educational materials. In Series V are the President’s files from 1969 to 2000. These include Board and Branch meeting agendas and minutes (1969-2001), annual reports, 5-Star Status materials, and AAUW-Illinois records. The files follow the original order the records were received, which most likely reflects the filing system of each branch president. The sixth series contains scrapbooks from 1956 to 1997. Series VII consists of materials that span the history of the Branch used to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch, including Branch Histories and proceedings, project and program materials, clippings, and awards. The eighth series, Media, consists of audio tapes from Branch programs and oral histories.
Administrative/Biographical History
The Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch of the American Association of University Women was chartered in the spring of 1956 with 15 members under first Branch President Sally Dow. The Branch promotes equality for all women and girls, life-long education, and positive societal change through its administration of the organization’s Educational Foundation which provides for woman’s education. In addition, the branch initiates community action in local school boards, community education, and voter education campaigns. They are involved in legislative and public policy programs at the local, state, or national level and its Legal Advocacy Fund. The Branch also publishes a regular newsletter, Twigs. The Branch supported the idea of a local junior college which later became College of Du Page. They created a program, Women of Du Page that highlighted achievements of historical and contemporary women and provided curriculum units for upper elementary grades in all of the local schools. In addition, the Branch has published Nuts and Bolts: A Citizens’ Guide to Local Government and three editions of “Facing Divorce: A Practical Guide to Financial, Legal & Emotional Survival.” One of the Branch members, Jackie DeFazio, served as AAUW National President from 1993 to 1997. Author: “Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch History, 1956-1998” and “Take the Initiative”
