The American Association of University Women (AAUW), Southern New York Branch was a grassroots organization for women college graduates that encouraged continuing education, lobbied for equal women's rights to education and employment, and raised funds for women attending college.

From the May 18, 2000 "Celebration Southern New York Branch AAUW: The First 100 Years":

The AAUW Southern New York Branch was founded in 1900 with 19 charter members. At the time the AAUW was called the Association of Collegiate Alumnae. In 1900, Branch activities center on raising money to create a Loan Fund. In 1907, the Education, Program, and Scholarship Committees were established. By 1908, even without the right to vote, political education became an important Branch emphasis.

In the 1910s, the annual calendar sale became a cooperative project with the Monday Afternoon Club and was a major source of revenue until 1917. In additiona to this project, the 1910s saw members lobby for a State College of Home Economics to be established at Cornell. A new Vocational Opportunities Committee worked to find job opportunities for women.

In 1921, the national organization changed from Association of Collegiate Alumnae to AAUW. In the 1920s, study groups became popular, especially Contemporary European Fiction and Psychology of Pre-School Child. Musical teas were lucrative fund-raising events. A Little Theater Group is organized in 1929.

Despite the Great Depression, members' fund-raising in the 1930s was prodigious and by 1937 $20,300 had been loaned to 74 girls and $350 was raised for the Fellowships Fund. The Cooperative Play School was created by Branch in 1937. This nursery school for community children met two mornings a week. In the 1930s, popular study groups included Antiques, Interior Decoration, Modern Literature and Sketching.

In the 1940s, the Economic and Legal Status of Women study group lobbied to ensure women's rights legislation and worked to solve problems encountered by women entering defense related jobs. The group lobbied for the Equal Pay for Equal Work Law, which passed in New York State in 1944. The branch raised $35,192 for Savings Bonds and Stamps. Important study groups included International Relations, Status of Women and Choral Music.

In the 1950s, the branch lobbied for the Regents proposal to establish 12 educational TV channels in New York State. As part of their political work, the branch also created a list of community women eligible to hold positions of responsibility and authority. In the 1950s, the International Relations study group broke into both daytime and evening groups, with the Middle East as focus.

A Recent Graduates group began and "What's New for Holidays" became a major fund-raising event netting over $2,000.

In the 1960s, many and diverse study groups served a large membership, from Conversational French and Great Religions of the World to Fraud and the Consumer. The Community Service Bureau was established, and by 1965 over 400 hours of volunteer services were given. The Association for Retarded Children Adult Day Training Center was a major volunteer focus. AAUW members helped run the lunch program at the Center.

In the 1970s, the branch helped establish the WSKG Auction to raise funds for Public Television. A Department of Consumer Affairs was established in 1979 in Broome County as a result of extensive study and lobbying by Branch members. Members studied local compliance with Title IX of Civil Rights Act and findings raised community awareness of inequities in funding between boys and girls sports programs in STAC.

In the 1980s, the branch received the Liberty Bell Award from Broome County Bar Association in recognition of its community work and bringing positive societal change within the law. The Peace Award was established and presented in 1985. Study groups included Daytime Books, Gourmet Cooking and Antiques. Volunteer efforts included Rape and Abuse Crises Center, SOS Shelter and Literacy Volunteers.

In the 1990s, the Loan Fund was relaunched as the Scholarship Fund, providing annual awards to selected high school seniors. Study groups featured the revitalized Fine Arts and both Current Books and Daytime Books. A library was established for Cadet Girl Scouts with titles from AAUW Honors List of books. Members celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Women's Rights Convention with tour of Seneca Falls Hall of Fame and National Historic Park. The branch celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2000.