On September 13, 1950, sixty women gathered together in a building called the Men’s Residence Hall to found the Los Alamos Branch of AAUW. The dues were $6. During the early years the study groups included drama, puppets, book review and Southwest studies. Throughout the fifties, the branch also gave teas for graduating high school girls and their mothers, presenting an outstanding girl with a small scholarship.
In the winter of 1950-51 a pre-school observation group was formed which evolved into the AAUW Playschool, Inc. About the same time, other members were helping organize the Los Alamos Council of Community Agencies and supporting legislation of the pure Food and Drugs Act and the bill permitting women to serve on juries. Starting in 1951, and for several years thereafter, Branch members served as clerical workers and receptionists for the free Cancer Clinic at the medical center.
By the mid-fifties the Branch was actively supporting legislation for state-wide kindergarten funding and surveying the needs of handicapped children in the community, leading to the organization of the Los Alamos Association for Retarded Children. the Branch helped to organize the Los Alamos Mental Health Association. The Branch also sponsored numerous UN Day and UNICEF activities.
In the early sixties the Branch supported the State Personnel Act and was active at all levels in the transfer of Los Alamos from government to private ownership and management. For several years AAUW worked with the League of Women Voters to present a School Board Candidates Meeting and the Branch still does the occasionally. In the late sixties the Branch was instrumental in the formation of the Los Alamos Historical Society and the Arts Council.
In the seventies the Branch was instrumental in founding the Los Alamos Council on Alcoholism; assisted in the Head-Start Program at San Ildefonso Pueblo; helped establish the Los Alamos Women’s Center; and supported the establishment of the Casa Mesita home for girls.
During this decade the Branch was actively involved in projects to advance the equality of women. Members lobbied for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and monitored equal educational opportunities for women in the Los Alamos School District, successfully observing Title IX compliance. It fostered programs within the school district to educate about sex-bias and discrimination in the schools. “Sugar and Spice” a panel of members with expertise in sex-bias issues conducted workshops throughout Northern New Mexico.
Branch activities in the early-eighties focused on women’s rights. EF grants funded classes on sexual awareness for high school students and supported the after-school child care program operated by the YMCA. The Branch helped provide funds for a member to work in Illinois on ERA passage and for a member to participate in the World Conference for the United Nations Decade for Women in Dallas. With other women’s groups, the Branch launched number of events celebrating women’s contributions, especially Women’s History Month observances in March.
In partnership with Women’s Center and the League of Women Voters, the Branch conducted s survey of employment and educational needs which was used by the Los Alamos Women in Science to secure a grant from the Women’s Reentry Consortium to set in place a work/study reentry program for Women at UNM-LA. Branch members helped in administering the program and in supervising the internship phase. Twice EF grants were awarded to provide child care through AAUW Playschool for the reentry women.
In 1987, a unanimous Branch vote gave the AAUW Playschool its independence. The school continues as a parents’ cooperative under the name Little Forest Playschool. In 1988 the Branch elected to move to a coordinating Council governance structure. The Branch provided input to the Association Governance Task Force which was preparing its recommendations to the Association membership.
In 1989, the New Mexico AAUW established the Grace Barker Wilson Award for Distinguished Service “in order to honor persons who have challenged the status quo in the area of women’s issues…” The Los Alamos nominees include: Elizabeth Aiello (1990, LA Women in Science Reentry Program); Gloria Cordova (1991, “Choices for Tomorrow’s Women” Issue); Edi Klingner (1992, Educational Equity Action Group); Helena Whyte (1993); Donna Giaquinto (1994, Parenting Seminar); Denise George (1995, Careers and Curiosity); Marjorie Bell Chambers (2003); Cas Mason (2006); Mona Wecksung (2008); Rosmarie Frederickson (2009). Elizabeth Aiello, Gloria Cordova, Donna Giaquinto, Denise George, Marjorie Bell Chambers, Cas Mason, and Mona Wecksung were selected by the New Mexico AAUW to receive the award.
In the past few years the Branch has initiated two community service projects that have received recognition at the national level within the Association. First in 1989, the Branch organized the first Parenting Seminar. Now an annual event, this day-long workshop has continued to grow each year; in 1994 it outgrew our sponsorship and was turned over the UNM-LA. The Seminar provided contact hours for day care providers and social workers and an opportunity for parents to improve their parenting skills. Second in 1991, in response to the Association’s Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America study, the Branch originated Careers and Curiosity in Math and Science, a non-traditional “job fair”. By recruiting women engaged in careers in math and science, an attempt was made to let the children know that career choices needn’t be based on gender. A second goal was to show the children that math and science can be fun and rewarding. After a three year pilot which visited all 5 elementary schools in Los Alamos, the project has spread to Santa Fe and Espanola. In addition to these two efforts, the Branch has continued a long-standing association with the League of Women Voters in jointly sponsoring a Legislative preview meeting with our state legislators and an annual day at the Legislature.
The Branch has produced several ‘Sonatas and Tortes’ fund raisers for the Educational Foundation; these events combine an afternoon of musical and literary performances with exquisite desserts. Proceeds from the first event were donated to the Georgia Fritz fund.
Several Branch members have received the Governor’s Award as an Outstanding Woman of New Mexico including Christina Sierk, Georgia Fritz, Elizabeth Aiello, Gloria Cordova, Marjorie Bell Chambers, and Jeanette Wallace. Marjorie Bell Chambers was selected in 2003 to receive the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Many members have served at the Division (State) level and some at the Association level. Marjorie Bell Chambers, Muriel Osborn and Gloria Cordova were Division president. Marjorie Bell Chambers served as Association President from 1975 until 1979. Elizabeth Aiello served on the Association College and University Relations Committee. Gloria Cordova was the Association Chair for the “Choices for Tomorrow’s Women” Issue. The Los Alamos Branch hosted the State convention in 1968, 1980 and 1995.
In 2007, the branch won the state ingenious ideas award for the panel discussion—Thoughts on Contemporary Russia. This discussion promoted and supported programs and projects with an international focus and was arranged and lead by the Los Alamos Branch International Affairs liaison, Cas Mason.
2010-12 The Branch has sponsored $tart $mart workshops.
Judged elementary school science fair projects and awarded prizes since 1984.
Sangria and Tapas fund raiser for AAUW Funds, 2008(?)
Sponsored a Mana del Norte scholarship (first $500, then $1000) for many (>10?) years (ask Mona for details)
Sponsored with LWV a public Legislative Preview Forum in January for 30+ years
Hosted AAUW-NM convention in 2009