Association for the Advancement of Women

Association for the Advancement of Women (A.A.W.) was an American women's organization founded in 1873.

The organization was the outcome of a call issued by Sorosis in May 1868, for a Congress of Women to be held in New York City that autumn, and the object of the Association, as adopted by the first Congress, was "to receive and present practical methods for securing to women higher intellectual, moral and physical conditions, and thereby to improve all domestic and social relations." The history of this Association, with its annual congresses for the succeeding 30 years, is the history of the realization of its lofty aim, to arouse thought along many lines, science, art, education, philosophy, ethics, political and social science, industrial training. Many eminent women were connected with it, but it is interesting to notice in the reports of the congresses the reiteration of the phrase,— "Mrs. Howe in the chair." For many years she was president.

The Association was organized at the very beginning of the club movement, to interest the women of the country in matters of high thought and in all undertakings found to be useful to society, and to promote their efficiency in these through sympathetic acquaintance and co-operation. It had a number of distinguished presidents and held congresses in many States, which almost invariably led to the formation of local clubs for study and mutual improvement, as well as to good works in other lines. Among the cities in which a congress was held were New York, Syracuse, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Des Moines, Denver, Madison, St. Paul, Toronto, Baltimore, Memphis, Knoxville, Louisville, Atlanta, and New Orleans. Many distinguished women were included in its membership and it had a strong influence in rendering possible the extensive formation of the women's clubs which became so important a feature in American society. Its work was partly chronicled in two large volumes which gave the papers presented and action taken at the meetings. By 1902, the many great organizations of women which had been established made further work on the part of the A.A.W. unnecessary. Provided by Wikipedia