WARREN — The American Association of University Women Warren / Trumbull County Branch, which dedicates its time to community service, is marking 100 years.

The organization was started by activist Phebe Sutliff and will host its 100th anniversary celebration today.

Ruth Bradshaw, AAUW Warren / Trumbull president, said the organization has a very worthy purpose as far as empowering women. It has a mission of achieving gender equality for women and girls through research, education and advocacy.

She said this year two $1,000 scholarships are being given to graduating high school seniors going into a STEM field.

“We do a lot to keep us busy, and that is what the organization has thrived on over the years,” Bradshaw said.

She said AAUW sponsored concerts at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown for local high schools, with more than 200 students often attending. The local chapter has more than 30 members.

Bradshaw said membership requires some degree or certification in any career.

Roz Gadd, who does publicity for AAUW Warren / Trumbull and is a retired teacher, said the members are “the best and brightest” in so many career fields, and each month a different guest speaker is featured.

“This is about empowering women, which is so important,” she said.

Speakers talk about their careers as directors of museums, newspaper editors or historical society directors. Gadd said the organization helps sponsor women in different careers through the scholarships.

Bradshaw said a dinner program is set for today at Leo’s Ristorante in Howland. There will be a portrayal of Sutliff with a program by “Women in History” from Cleveland. Warren Mayor Doug Franklin also will attend for a presentation.

Bradshaw said past presidents of the organization, some from other states, as well as current and past members are scheduled to attend.

Gadd said one event that will always be memorable is when several members, including Bradshaw, performed songs with various musical instruments for a Christmas sing-along. She said Joyce Hamilton, the organization’s incoming president, is a singer who has performed in New York.

Bradshaw said it is challenging to get younger women involved, but the group is preparing to tackle that challenge.

AAUW’s story began in 1881 when 17 women college graduates banded together to open the doors for women’s career advancements and to encourage more women to pursue higher education.

Bradshaw said as an organization with more than 100,000 members belonging to nearly 1,000 branches, AAUW nationwide helps break through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

The Warren branch was founded in 1923 by Sutliff with its name changed to Warren / Trumbull County Branch in 1996.

Sutliff eventually served as president of Rockford College during a time when many women were not able to aspire to higher education.

Upon returning to Warren in 1901, Sutliff immersed herself in education, politics, philanthropy and community service before founding the AAUW Warren chapter.

Bradshaw said at the 2023 Ohio Spring AAUW conference, the Warren / Trumbull Branch was awarded the Golden Model Branch Award.

In order to qualify for this award, the branch:

•   Collaborated in a state project by paying tuition at an AAUW camp, known as Be Wise Camp, for a seventh-grade girls to participate in the curriculum of STEM activities;

•   Awarded $1,000 scholarships to two graduating high school girls in Trumbull County who plan to pursue a college / university degree in a STEM field;

•   Maintained two social media accounts and a website;

•   Supported each year a community agency / organization through donations and volunteerism. The last few years have focused on the veterans of the community. Donations were made monthly to veterans.

Most recently, Bella Women’s Center was the community project, which included monthly contributions, hand-delivered to Bella — a nonprofit medical clinic providing services to women facing unplanned pregnancies.