In doing so, they started the University’s chapter of The American Association of University Women, a women’s advocacy organization founded in 1881. Brielle Appelbaum, a senior majoring in communication studies, serves as the chapter’s president.
“We needed a platform that encourages sustainability, education, scholarship and research and the AAUW nationally provided that ten-fold,” she said.
Sarah Long, a senior majoring in public relations, is the group’s vice president of media relations and communications. As a non-partisan advocacy group, AAUW is open to anyone who supports the cause.
“Women’s issues are everyone’s issues, so we are reaching out to all students, faculty and staff on the University of Alabama campus,” she said.
Elizabeth McDonald, a graduate advisor at the University, is one of the organization’s advisors. She said when she first heard about the group, she was eager to get involved.
“I have always been incredibly passionate and tenacious for women’s issues,” she said. “As a new professional, I want my career and activities to parallel my personal passion.”
McDonald said the chapter has the power to do a lot of good in the UA community and beyond. Although she was not involved in the national organization before the chapter at the University, she sees potential in the organization’s mission to empower and educate students to take an active role in local and national discussions.
“I really see this student organization as translating national women policies to a micro level here at Alabama, helping students understand the impact of these issues on their level, really meeting the students where they are at,” McDonald said.
Appelbaum said the group advocates on behalf of women as a whole, rather than one particular field or subgroup.
“We have a responsibly to ensure that all women from every discipline can be a strong leader in all fields,” Appelbaum said. “The AAUW is a sustainable answer from a policy and educational standpoint to continue this legacy.”
Although the chapter is in its first year, Appelbaum said they have had success in their efforts thus far.
“It was imperative that we had a purpose and served a need in the community, and based on the overwhelming support from across campus, I’d say we found it,” Appelbaum said.
Because the organization’s goals are so broad, the efforts vary Appelbaum said the chapter is currently working on a non-partisan midterm policy brief for the upcoming elections.
McDonald said she envisions the chapter reaching out to first-year students through similar programs.
“So by the time they are seniors, they are well-educated in these matters and are actively participating in local and national discussions,” she said.
