The ongoing pursuit of equality

I first encountered Linda Armitage at a strategic planning session for the Hiawatha Public Library. I don’t recall exactly what was said, or why we hit it off — but I do recall that she was smiling; Linda is almost always smiling. We got together every few months or so, chatting over massive salads at Black Sheep or spider rolls at Sushi House. Every time we met, Linda was insistent that I become acquainted with AAUW — the American Association of University Women. I came to understand that Linda’s connection to education wasn’t purely driven by a desire to grow membership in her club; the club was an extension of her commitment to encouraging and fostering the pursuit of achievement by women.

Tell me about the way education has been important to your own life trajectory.

“I thank God every day for my first job. I started my career at the Des Moines Public Library right out of college. I was ready for a real job when I finished at Drake in 1970, and I was hired on the spot because of my experience working at the Drake Library. My first director in that position held a job open for me that allowed me to pursue my masters at the University of Iowa, so I did that as well. My education and opportunities were the best thing that could happen to any human being.”

You have been an advocate for the education of others — including offering at times to financially support a semester of tuition for a student in need. Why is it important to you to help make education possible for others?

“My parents were not college educated. My father was a farm boy from northeast Iowa who got an 8th grade education, but was given opportunities in sales and insurance. My mother was editor of her high school paper but only went as far as high school. With their five children, my parents really emphasized education.

“Dad made a good living with his limited education, but could never take any time off with pay. When he was sitting around doing his taxes, he would say to each of us, ‘I want you to go to college. I want you to have paid vacation!’”

Linda laughs at the memory.

“He started telling me this at the age of 8, and by 5th grade I knew I wanted to go. Teachers can help you if they know you have that goal in mind, and I got a lot of help.”

Is there a specific mentor that comes to mind?

“There was a nun from St. Joseph’s Academy in Des Moines. She was a music teacher, ran glee club and chorus … She guided her class to aspire to a college education — the discipline needed to get in, and how to be part of a real community of high school students.”

How did you first get connected with AAUW?

“When I retired, I ran into a member at a legislative forum held by the League of Women Voters. She invited me to her home for a luncheon with other members, and after speaking at length with members I was impressed by the organization and wanted to join. I have been a member for about 11 years.”

What are some of the initiatives AAUW is working on locally?

“For the last 23 years, we have put on the “Open Minds, Open Doors” conference for middle school girls. We do this in partnership with Grant Wood AEA at Coe College. The conference was the brainchild of a Coe College science professor who has now retired and become an AAUW member — AAUW helped to get the conference off the ground.

“There is a national-level leadership conference in Maryland; we can send students from Kirkwood, Mount Mercy and Coe. The cost for students to attend is covered by AAUW through a scholarship. Locally, we have been part of an effort to combat human trafficking, we engage with many events and activities related to Diversity Equity and Inclusion — I should also note that we celebrated Women's Equality Day on August 26th. This event is a commemoration of the day women won the right to vote, but we must acknowledge that not all women had the right to vote. Black women didn’t have the right to vote until many years after white women were able to do so.”

There are so many social organizations and clubs in existence. What sets AAUW apart?

“We are one of the earliest groups that came into effect to support women and girls getting themselves ahead. When this organization was established, it was very unusual for a woman to get her college degree. Back in the 1880s, women were considered to be a little insane or crazy if they were educated. They weren’t normal. A band of women in Boston formed a group and that’s how AAUW was started.”

As women have achieved more parity in education and the workplace and as family dynamics and structures have shifted, AAUW has provided a point of connection.

“Our goal is gender equality in education, economic security and leadership. It served as a source of information for women in the days when radio hadn’t even yet been invented. Over the years, it has adapted to serve as a support group for parenting, helping college grads with families who were navigating work life balance. We provide between $1 million and $5 million per year in grants and scholarships to support women pursuing education beyond the bachelor’s.”

For more information, visit AAUW.org

Sofia DeMartino is a Gazette editorial fellow. sofia.demartino@thegazette.com