History
Our History, From the Association of Collegiate Alumnae to Mergers to a New Name, the American Association of University Women/AAUW
Boston 1881 - and the problems of providing quality education for young women.
The parents of Marion Talbot and her younger sister, Dr. and Mrs. Tisday Talbot, were aware that Boston's educational system was geared toward the education of young gentlemen. It idid not provide adequate preparation for the education for young ladies who had real intellectual potential, such as their daughters, which would allow them to enter and compete in male dominated college programs. Because of this they had had the foresight to start Marion on the study of Latin at age ten and Greek when she was thirteen. They also took both daughters to Europe for 15 months so they might have the opportunity to learn to speak and read both French and German.
Marion was finally able to begin studies, in the winter of 1876-77, in the College of Liberal Arts at Boston University where her father was Dean of the School of Medicine. In that initial winter semester she not only finished making up some still remaining entrance requirements, but also completed a full year of freshman course work. She graduated with a BA degree from Boston University in June of 1880, after three and one-half years of study.
Her education had set her off from her girlhood friends. She now had little in common with these young women, with her aims, by then, so different from their own. They did not speak the same language as Marion so she was, in affect, almost socially ostracized from her old circle of friends.
As she had a compelling desire to use her mind she returned to Boston University, where she earned a Master's Degree in 1882. Her very wise mother could see the problems young women college graduates faced in utilizing their education. Except for the object of this new organization was:
"To unite alumnae of different institutions for practical educational work."
To provide opportunity for socializing with other educated women.
To promote research, an important activity of this new organization.
To promote social work projects, which were undertaken by even the earliest of the branches.