For July and August, we will be highlighting our scholarship activities. This month, we overview activities since our founding. Next month, we will tell you about some of the recent recipients of our scholarship monies.
According to the AAUW Tucson historical publication "Sarsaparilla to Spaceships", it was 1909 when the Collegiate Club of Tucson, AZ, was organized by a small group of women college graduates. From the beginning the purposes of the club were “to foster college spirit in the community and to promote the friendly intercourse of its members”.
The education of women was uppermost as a goal of the Collegiate Club. In 1913 a scholarship of $50.00 was established to support university women students. In 1917 the Collegiate Club supported a University of Arizona women student as well as giving a male engineering student a Wartime Scholarship of $150.00. By 1919 the collegiate club had supported 13 scholarships totaling $1,100.00 – a grand accomplishment for that time!
The Collegiate Club became the Arizona Tucson Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in 1931. Scholarships remained a major focus whether through direct donations, rummage sales, etc.
While the sources of support have changed through the years, the firm commitment to contributing educated women has never wavered.
We have supported many scholarships over the years, including –
The Native American Scholarship initially helped nursing students. Today, it is called the Native American Legacy Scholarship Fund and is managed through Tucson Unified School District’s Educational Enrichment Foundation. Louise Hoppy bequeathed money to increase this fund.
AAUW Funds Research and Projects Grants (see more in the accompanying article)
In memoriam forSister Claire Dunn and Sister Judith Lovechik
Honoring Virginia Palmer, Marion Ketcham, and Claire Norton
For Lois Sand Mitsch and Esther Scher
The Virginia Palmer Scholarship at Pima Community College is focused on women returning to complete their education. Sue Banfield’s estate added funding tothis scholarship.
Esther Scher’s estate funded a scholarship at the University of Arizona College of Education.
Continued donations to any of the local endowed scholarships can be made through the Tucson branch. For information on how to give, contact Jane Russ, our treasurer, at AAUWTucsonTreasurer@gmail.com.
Next month, we will highlight some of the young women who have received our scholarships and grants. Stay tuned!
