History
In 1923 the Wellesley College alumnae living in Reading had an idea to get "like minded women together." Since reading was a factory town, there were a few women college graduates, but the Wellesley women formed the College Club with membership by invitation only. The College Club became an affiliate of the newly reorganized American Association of University Women and observed AAUW's open membership policy. The membership grew from 25 to 59 in the first year.
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Study groups were organized; the Pen and Book Club begun in 1925 became today's Literature II. Meetings were held in a clubroom at 117 N. 8th Street. However, during the years of WWII the clubroom was lost due to the paper shortage, the yearbook was not printed. The Association was also affected by the war, and because of travel restrictions a "Paper Convention" was held. In 1950, the Reading Branch was formed.
In the past, the branch sponsored College Caravan, Town Fair, and Waste No Food which became a state project. Book Bonanza survives because the branch found two co-sponsors. The Reading Branch introduced the idea of a commission for women in 1985 and in 1993 the Berks County Commissin for Women became a reality. Courtney Stevens, Reading Branch member, was elected the first president.
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The Reading Branch has served the community for 82 years by giving support to women and providing projects that fulfill the AAUW mission statement. In 1990, for the first time, the Reading Branch was the largest branch in PA. Three branch members, Delite Hawk, Patricia Mitchell*, and Karen Conover, have served on the PA AAUW Board of Directors.
* Deceased