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Become an AAUW Member – AAUW: Empowering Women Since 1881

Why Join?

  • Membership in a community committed to a shared cause: As an AAUW member, you’ll be proud to know you belong to a nationwide group of people who value education and equal rights  …who are contributing to a more promising future for all women and girls …and who together provide a powerful voice for women and girls–a voice that cannot and will not be ignored.
  • Leadership development: AAUW’s leadership development program gives you an opportunity to hone your personal and professional leadership skills. Take advantage of  our leadership library– and consider serving on an AAUW local, state, regional, and national boards, committees, and panels.
  • Educational opportunities: AAUW offers educational programs that promote gender, race, and class equity and help you develop your professional and personal skills. Programs are offered at conventions, in interactive workshops, in print, and online.
  • Increased buying power: Because of the increased buying power of a large group, AAUW can provide services designed exclusively for members such as quality insurance plans, including a dental plan and a health plan specifically tailored to meet the needs of women; AAUW’s First USA Platinum Visa card, which features a competitve rate and no annual fee; discounts on AAUW research and merchandise; and more! Savings from these programs will more than equal your yearly dues.
  • Your voice in Washington: If equity is at issue, we’re there. As an AAUW member, you will have a strong voice on Capitol Hill on legislation that will affect the lives of women and girls. AAUW’s 150,000 members and our branches in 1,500 communities guarantees that your message will be heard.
  • Relevant timely news and information: Our award-winning magazine, AAUW Outlook, delivers close-ups of the women behind women’s rights from Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Shirley Chisholm, and Donna Shalala to exceptional women in grassroots America. Plus, AAUW publishes Get the Facts–one-page alerts that inform you on how congressional proposals affect YOU … and what you can do to make a difference.
  • Foundation research: Take advantage of member-only rates on exciting and extensive research reports commissioned by AAUW’s Educational Foundation. The Foundation’s landmark research enables you to make a difference in the lives of women and girls for generations to come.
  • Updates on public policies that affect your life: Members receive briefings and fact sheets on critical policy issues as well as discounts on AAUW’s monthly policy newsletter, Action Alert.
  • Your connection with higher education: Find out how you–or someone in your community–can take advantage of the Educational Foundation’s $3 million in grants and fellowships awarded each year. And learn about women challenging sex discrimination in higher education through AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund.

Membership Options and Dues

  • Local Branch Member: Individuals interested in becoming branch members would pay national, state, and local dues directly to their local branch (national = $67, state = $10, local = varies by branch).   Contact information for the local branches can be found here.
  • National Member: Individuals interested in joining at the national level only would pay annual dues of $67 directly to AAUW. Of that amount, $63 is tax deductible as a charitable contribution.  Join online or call 1-800-326-AAUW for an application.
  • Student Affiliates: Undergraduate students enrolled in a two- or four- year regionally accredited educational institution can join as student affiliates for $18.81. Join online.
  • Graduate Students: Graduate students enrolled in a regionally accredited educational institution can join AAUW for $18.81.
  • Paid Life Membership: Exempts members from annual national dues, but local state and branch dues must still be paid.
  • Honorary Life Membership: 50-year members and others honored are exempt from all dues: national, state and branch.
  • Give a Grad a Gift:  National dues are waived for one year under the Give-A-Grad-A-Gift program. The form to give this national membership can be found online. If you would also like to gift a free one-year state membership to a graduate, please contact Iowa Membership VP Elaine Kresse. Dues vary by state and local branch, so if you wish to also join at the state and local level somewhere outside of Iowa, you would need to contact that state AAUW organization for more information.
  • Membership Option Chart for Quick Reference