AAUW – Gaylord Area Branch

AAUW’s Educational Award Granted to Anna Marie Atkinson

AAUW Gaylord Area Branch recently granted Anna Marie Atkinson the 2025 Continuing Education Award.  Anna Marie plans to enroll in Grand Valley State’s hybrid public health program.  She will work toward a master’s degree while completing a bachelor’s degree in allied health sciences.  Currently an employee at Munson Otsego Memorial Hospital, Anna Marie has worked in various healthcare backgrounds for 18 years. She looks forward to her schooling “expanding her knowledge of how our community is impacted by certain diseases and promote awareness.”  Congratulations, Anna Marie!

Anna Marie Atkinson received this year’s Continuing Education Award

AAUW’s “Future of STEM Road Trip” took place on March 1st.  A recap of the trip and links to STEM related videos are found here.

One Otsego County girl experienced a STEM job first hand.

AAUW Hosts a Pizza Party

The AAUW Gaylord Area Branch hosted a pizza party for the COP ISD Transition Class at Gaylord High School in February.  Branch representative Mary Tomaski noted, “This group has made pins for us for numerous events, including our upcoming The Future of STEM Road Trip.  We wanted to thank them for their good work.”

COP ISD Transition Class’ Pizza Party: Lead Teacher Miss Kiersten (left) stands next to Mary Tomaski, and Para Pro Miss Jamie (in Gaylord sweatshirt) stands by a student and retired Lead Teacher Miss Judy.

AAUW Used Book Sale a Roaring Success!

The Gaylord AAUW Branch held a very successful “Used Book Sale” this past weekend, raising close to $3,000 (a new record)!  We truly appreciate all who turned out and made purchases of gently used books, as well as those who donated books to this cause.  All proceeds from this sale go towards educational awards and programming for local girls and women.

Two happy customers at our 2024 Used Book Sale

As always, this achievement could only take place with the assistance of many local organizations and individuals.  Thank you SO much to Family Fare, Oliver Chiropractic, United Way, Otsego County Sportsplex, Gordon Food Service and Meyer Ace Hardware for letting us park donation barrels at your locales.  Assistance in holding this event came from the United Way of Otsego County, Crossroads Industries, Walmart Academy, the Otsego County Fire Department and Bobby McNamara of McNamara Insurance.  Thanks to all AAUW Gaylord members who lent a hand with this event from start to finish.  Otsego County girls and women will reap great rewards from your generosity and efforts!

These are the Walmart volunteers that quickly and expertly helped us set up the room for the Used Book Sale on Wednesday night, October 3. They also moved books into the United Way Community Room from the trailer where they had been stored. Thank you all!

Here is the first shift of AAUW Gaylord Area Branch members to work the Used Book Sale at the United Way on Friday, October 4.

AAUW Prepares Community Meal

On February 14th,  AAUW volunteers prepared a Community Meal at the First Congregational Church.  This year’s menu was sloppy joes, cheesy potatoes, and slaw.  Many AAUW members made cookies and donated funds cover the cost of the meal.  Several guests came out to enjoy the food and comradery.  Thank you to all who helped!

AAUW volunteers (l to r) Hallie Mackley, Jan Kellogg, Brenda Brummel and Helen Mate


Please Join Us!

If you want to see what we do you can stop by our lunch meetings to check us out. We meet at noon on the second Wednesday of the month at the Otsego County Library (700 S. Otsego Ave.,Gaylord, MI 49735), and feel free to bring a sack lunch. We do not meet in July. In June and December we have an informal potluck at various locations.  If you can’t make it to our lunch meetings, you can still be involved in our mission through our various activities (see the “About Us” page).

A great time was had by all at our annual Christmas potluck!

In case of inclement weather: If Gaylord Area Schools are closed for weather, we will not meet.

Consider donating to AAUW

  All funds go towards Education Awards and programming for local girls and women.
  Mail your contribution to AAUW, P.O. Box 1031, Gaylord, MI 49734

  Make your check out to “AAUW-Gaylord Area Branch”

Thank you!


AAUW Gaylord Area Branch: Advancing equity & education for women & girls since 1973.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a nationwide organization that advances equity and education for women and girls. The Gaylord Area Branch empowers through education awards, educational programs, and honoring the achievements of local women. For more information email aauwgaylord@gmail.com.