AAUW – Gaylord Area Branch

Seeking Applicants for AAUW’s Fall 2025 Continuing Education Award

Are you or do you know an Otsego County woman who is continuing her post-secondary education (college, university, community college or trade school)?  AAUW’s Gaylord Branch is seeking applicants for our “Fall Continuing Education Award”.  One $1,000 award will be given to a qualified Otsego County woman who is continuing her schooling after a year or more away from the educational setting OR who has completed one or more years of uninterrupted undergraduate study at the university level and plans to continue.

Fill out our on-line application here by no later than November 21st, in order to be considered. Or to download an application to fill out and mail or email back go to this link.

Please pass this information onto others.  We’d love be a part of a local woman’s efforts to further develop her skills and talents!

Claire Gorno is a past recipient of an AAUW Educational Award.

Annual Used Book Sale A Resounding Success

The Gaylord AAUW Branch held a very successful “Used Book Sale” on October 10th and 11th, raising $2,700!   All proceeds from this sale go towards educational awards and programming for local girls and women.

We truly appreciate all who turned out and made purchases of gently used books.  Many thanks to community members who donated thousands of books!  Members collect the books from the donation barrels at the United Way, Family Fare, Oliver Chiropractic, Gordon Food Service and Meyer Ace Hardware.  Then, we sorted them and hosted the Used Book Sale at the Otsego County United Way building.

As always, this achievement could only take place with the assistance of many local organizations and individuals.  Otsego County girls and women will reap great rewards from your generosity and efforts!

One of the many happy customers at our annual Used Book Sale

Elodie, Morgan and Daelyn from the Gaylord High School Key Club were one of many volunteers who assisted this year.

AAUW members thank all who helped with this year’s sale.

New Branch Co-Presidents Installed

At our August meeting, the AAUW Gaylord Branch welcomed new Co-Presidents Mary Fox and Hallie Mooney.  We also expressed our warmest appreciation to past Co-Presidents Mary Tomaski and Helen Mate for their dedication and excellent leadership.  We’re all looking forward to an exciting and productive 2025-26 year for our Gaylord Area Branch.

Mary Fox and Hallie Mooney – Gaylord Branch’s new Co-Presidents

Barbara Fleming Honored as AAUW’s 2025 “Woman Making History”

On May 18th, Barbara Fleming was honored as our Gaylord Area Branch’s 2025 “Woman Making History” at a luncheon held at BJ’s Event Center.

Barbara Fleming (left) and some of her extensive family.

As the first female in Otsego County to serve on an agricultural agency board, Barb helped pave the way for women in the male-dominated farming industry. As an equal partner in the operation of Fleming Farms in Elmira, she played a key role in hosting school field trips and expanding farm activities to create valuable and memorable experiences for thousands of area students. Barb currently serves as Chairwoman of the Otsego County Historical Society. She is an active volunteer at the Otsego County Food Pantry. She and her family are dedicated members of the Gaylord Methodist Church. In recognition of their extensive community contributions, Barb and her late husband, Gene Fleming, were honored as Der Burgermeisters at the 2009 Alpenfest.

Event co-chairs, Mary Tomaski (left) and Renee Elias (right) congratulate Barbara on her award.

AAUW has chosen a local woman as our “Woman Making History” annually since 1993.  For a complete listing of past year’s recipients click here.

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 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 Mooney, Jan Kellogg, Brenda Brummel and Helen Mate


Please Join Us!

Starting this fall, we are changing our meeting times and places each month.   We generally hold our meetings on the second Wednesday of the month.  To find out where and when our next meeting will be, email us at aauwgaylord@gmail.com.

AAUW Membership Meeting and Potluck was held at Hallie Mooney’s house in November.

A few AAUW members attended a presentation at the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts – May, 2025

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.