About Us

The Oregon Online Branch is geared toward AAUW members who want to participate in a non-traditional branch featuring a variety of formats. The virtual branch format appeals to different age groups, lifestyles, and personal and professional needs, and provides members with more AAUW membership and participation choices. All branch activities and programs occur online.

History of the Branch

The Oregon Online Branch was founded in July, 2008.  The idea came from Marilyn Mullanix in 2006.  At that time Marilyn was Communication VP for the state and a Eugene-Lane Branch member. I was state Membership VP then.

Jane Lancaster, Portland Branch (then Program VP for the state) and I presented the Online Branch idea to the state board at the Summer Retreat at Willamette University.  The board approved it and we started with 15 members – required at that time to start a branch.  We had 3 primary members and 12 dual members.  I think Mardy was part of that group of 15.  AAUW National approved the branch in December, 2008.

Marilyn was the first Finance VP for the branch and I was the first president.  When we first started we met via email which was interesting.  No one liked meeting that way so we moved to phone conferences which was new at the time.

When we started the branch we received “push back” from the “land” branches in our state.  They didn’t want a virtual branch because they thought we would “steal” their members.  Cynthia Rauscher became state president in 2010 and she really advocated for the branch and that helped increase our membership.

Looking through all the branch emails I saved, I served as branch president from 2008 to 2012.  Maggie Burton served as president from 2012 to 2016 and Marge Biggers from 2016 to 2020.  Elena Rae followed Marge.

Provided by Penney Hoodenpyle
Member Online Branch and Hillsboro/Forest Grove Branch
Chair Special Projects Fund  

AAUW of Oregon – Current Board (2023-2024)

President: Georgia Applegate
Membership VP:  Mardy Stevens
Program VP:
Director’s at Large: Patricia Lehman and Beverly Van Citters
Finance: Gini Dideum
Secretary:  Julie Skinner
Webmaster: Randa Blanding
Past President: Elena Rae

For questions about membership, you may contact Mardy by email.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

AAUW is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls. Since our founding in 1881, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.

  • Mission -To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
  • Vision – Equity for all.
  • Values – Nonpartisan. Fact-based. Integrity. Inclusion and Intersectionality.
  • Diversity – In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team, and board of directors.  There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or  socioeconomic status.