Jesse Daniel Ames Chapter
1923 — Mrs. Jesse Daniel Ames and nine other women faculty members at Southwestern University, the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas, organized the Georgetown Branch of AAUW. She served as president and was instrumental in establishing the Texas AAUW board.
1931 — Our AAUW branch disbanded during the Depression but was reorganized in 1944, actively serving the community ever since then.
1958-59 — Children’s Theater Association plays were sponsored by our AAUW branch as a cultural contribution to the community.
1971-74 — Southwestern University and our AAUW branch co-sponsored a children’s theater program to enhance children’s experience of live theater and to introduce to them the concept of college, also raising funds for scholarships.
1974 — Led by our AAUW branch, community groups collaborated with the Williamson County Commissioners Court to establish a Child Welfare Board for abused and neglected children.
1975 — Members of our AAUW branch supported sponsorship of the Travis County Medical Society Blood Bank, which ran for many years.
1988 — Our AAUW branch started a summer school supply project for low-income families at GISD elementary schools. Our members obtained supplies, sorted and sacked items for each grade level at each school. Although the Caring Place began to administer this project in 1994, our AAUW branch members continued to fill sacks through summer 2001. We have had an AAUW representative on TCP’s board since 1992.
1999 — Our AAUW branch sponsored a spring public forum at the Williamson County Courthouse for local city electoral candidates. Georgetown’s first woman mayor was elected, and she joined Austin officials in welcoming delegates to the 2001 AAUW national convention held in Austin. A public forum was repeated in 2002, and our branch representative presented a break-out workshop at the 2003 AAUW national convention in El Paso on how to organize public forums.
2001 — Our branch members assisted the Austin Branch in planning and hosting the national convention in Austin, in June.
2003 — Our college scholarship program for an outstanding girl graduate at Georgetown High School made its first recent award. The annual scholarship program has continued into the present with the exception of 2010.
2010-11 — Donations to the Wilco Museum in Georgetown underwrote a new “traveling trunk” on the Civil War, part of the hands-on educational outreach program to area elementary schools.
2011-12 — Our membership expanded dramatically, infusing our programs and activities with new interests and enthusiasm for our mission.
2012 — Our branch members assisted the Austin Branch in planning and hosting the state convention in Austin, April 13-15.
2013 –- Peaked membership at 82; presented 2nd annual spring style show; held a fall fundraiser, “Dining with the Stars”; participated in an inter-generational class about feminism at Southwestern University.
2014 — Presented 3rd annual spring style show; added a second student scholarship for a graduate of the East View High School; participated in a second inter-generational performance class at SU about feminism; the branch continues to contribute to certain local service projects and to the national AAUW Funds, which support educational grants and fellowships, legal advocacy, and research-based publications promoting equity in education and career choices.
2015 — Presented “Dining with Chef Tony” at the Berry Creek Country Club in January and held the 4th annual spring style show as fundraisers; awarded two $1000 and two $500 scholarships to outstanding local high school graduates at GHS & EVHS; continued to contribute to certain local service projects and to the national AAUW Funds; and officially received 501 (c) (3) status. Fall fundraisers included participating in the Sun City Garage Sale, plus “ScholarSips,” a wine tasting event at the Berry Creek Country Club.
2016 — Presented the 5th annual spring style show; awarded two $1000 and three $500 scholarships to girl graduates at GHS & EVHS; continued contributions to certain local service projects and to the national AAUW Funds; received the REAP Award at the AAUW Texas Convention in San Antonio for branch activities promoting our mission through research, education, advocacy, and philanthropy. Fall fundraisers include a Duck Race at the dam in San Gabriel Park in September and participation in the Kiwanis garage sale at Sun City in October.
2017 — Presented the 6th annual spring style show; contributed to national AAUW Funds and awarded one $1000 and two $2000 local scholarships to girl graduates at GHS & EVHS. Fall fundraisers included the 2nd Annual Duck Race at the dam in San Gabriel Park in September and participation in the Kiwanis garage sale at Sun City in October.