“SIXTY-THREE YEARS” AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF …

"SIXTY-THREE YEARS" AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

FAIRBANKS BRANCH AND

ALASKA DIVISION

Compiled by Fairbanks Branch American Association of University Women

1936 - 2005

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FORWARD .............................................................................. ii FAIRBANKS BRANCH BRIEF HISTORY REPORT ....... 1 IN - DEPTH HISTORYOF THE FAIRBANKS BRANCH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN: 1936-1946 .................................................................................. 3 1946 - 1956 ................................................................................ 6 1956 -1977 .............................................................................. 10 ALASKA DIVISION AAUW HISTORY: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE DIVISION.....................15 1977 to 2005............................................................................ 27

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Thanks to wonderful historians Ellen Whitcher, Barbara Matthews and Joyce Harris Upham from the Fairbanks Branch of the American Association of University Women. These women have kept track of important Alaska history over many years. AAUW is deeply rooted in territorial and State history. Please note. This history does not include State and Branch information after 2005.

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FAIRBANKS BRANCH BRIEF HISTORY REPORT

The Fairbanks Branch of AAUW was organized in November 1936, and recognized by the national Association in March the following year. March 1937. Some of the charter members were Mary Adler, Vide Bartlett, Lydia Fohn-Hansen, and Kay Patty, wife of the University president. The first meetings were dinner meetings held in downtown restaurants such as the Model Cafe and Pioneer Grill. The group met regularly for bridge to earn money for both local and national fellowships. Another money raiser was concerts held at the Empress Theatre, followed by teas.

In 1948, AAUW joined with the Soroptomist Club and Beta Sigma Phi to start a concert series in Fairbanks, bringing musical artists to the area. This became the FCCA, or Fairbanks Community Concert Association. The Branch even sponsored a Girl Scout and a Brownie Troop. In the early 1950's the Branch grew to 127 members.

From 1956 to 1961, the Branch held a Creative Arts Workshop each summer for 9-12 year olds. Members also sponsored the Fairbanks Children's Theatre for two years. This theatre group continues today. For many years we sponsored Jean Gordon's Young Linguists Group to introduce youngsters to foreign languages.

The Alaska Division of AAUW was officially recognized in 1965, with Myrtle Philleo of Fairbanks as its first president. The Branch continued raising money for scholarships and fellowships, holding its first House Tour in July 1973. This has become our primary fund raiser over the years. After two long

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