March 22, 1917: Seventeen women college graduates meet at the home of Miss Clare Briggs.  They formally organize the Battle Creek Branch of American Collegiate Alumnae.  Clare Briggs becomes the first branch president.

April 6, 1917:  U.S. Declares War on Germany – Members become involved in several “defense” activities: Red Cross sewing; talks on Liberty Loans; layettes for Belgians; and aid to needy families at Fort Custer.

1919:  Scholarship Fund – $315 is raised during a benefit card party held at the Elk’s Temple.

1921: National organization of American Association of University Women is established merging the association of Collegiate Alumnae and the Southern Association of College Women.

1923: Mrs. Mary Wooley, President of Mt. Holyoke College (and later national president of AAUW) speaks before a joint meeting of women’s clubs.

• Small groups and teas are established to accommodate the large membership
• AAUW Battle Creek’s first Christmas party is held, thus beginning the wassail tradition.

1925: Dr. John Harvey Kellogg hosts the first formal AAUW dinner, with spouses, at the Battle Creek Sanitarium.

1927: Study groups are initiated: International Relations: Pre-school Age Child, Elementary and Adolescent Children, Arts, Social Studies, Book Reviews, Economic and Legal Status of Women, Consumer Buying and Music.

• Funds are donated to: Emily Andrus Home, Dental Clinic, Red Cross, Community Chest.
• Volunteers act as probation officers.
• A nursery school movement for families on relief is sponsored.
• An educational pamphlet for high school girls is prepared.

1930 – 1931: Jessie M. Storken, president of the local branch, goes on to become state president of AAUW 1939 – 1941

1938: The Christmas Clearing Bureau in Battle Creek is set-up and supported by many volunteer AAUW members.  The needs of 1600 families are evaluated and provided for, as available.  Our work in this area continued for many years.

1940:  The Battle Creek Branch hosts many outstanding speakers including former Consul, Charles L. Devault, after serving in Paris, London, Tokyo and Mexico City; Professor Shao Chang Lee, professor of Chinese culture, and the director of foreign studies at MSU; and Louis J. Alber – author, foreign correspondent, world traveler, businessman.

1950: Several “seed” projects are supported in conjunction with other area groups.  These included: “Junior College Project”-Kellogg Community College; Woodlawn Pre-School; and Art Goes to School.

Guest speakers include:  Sidney Harris, prize winning author; Herbert Philbruck speaks on “The  Threat of Communism Today” — State Senator Creighton R. Coleman

1960’s: Ten study groups are active.  Battle Creek hosts a programming conference for delegates from 17 southwest Michigan branches at the Kellogg Biological Station.

Guest speakers include:  Dr. Leroy Augenstein, Dr. Stanley Ideida, Mrs. George Romney, Dr. Milton Convensky and Former FBI agent Herbert Philbrick.

Truman Smyth, president of the Battle Creek Branch 1968 & 1969, later becomes state AAUW president from 1975 -77.

1970’s: Our branch begins awarding scholarships to local women college students.  Funds are raised for this in part by book sales.

Branch meeting and study groups continue to focus on a number of relevant issues.  Many of these deal with topics related to women; community and the economy.

14 members help beautify the river banks in Battle Creek.

CBS news analyst Eric Severeid visits (we support the KCC Lecture-Concert series).

1980’s: Our branch works with the Jr. League, Altrusa and other groups to open a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

The “Battle Creek Area Preschool Guide” is researched and printed. Program topics include:  ‘Insurance Liability Problems”, with Mary Coleman as moderator, Teenage Pregnancy.”  Women in Broadcasting”, Women’s Health,” Legislative” meeting and “Gardening with Malcolm Graham, to name a few.

1990’s: Our interest and involvement in education, community and equity continues. Branch meetings pertaining to these include: “After Tienaman Square”, “Shortchanging Girls: Shortchanging America,” sisters from our Past: Harriet Tubman & Helen Keller, Child Abuse & Neglect and “A Candidates Forum’, to name a few.

A silent auction at our annual Christmas brunch raises funds for a $1000 scholarship awarded to a woman college student.

Our branch spearheads “Explorathon” in conjunction with the Kellogg Expert in Residence program.  This is a hands-on career workshop for 5th grade girls and parents.  It seeks to introduce the participants to a variety of careers related to the areas of math and science.