Skip to main content

History

The timeline below explores the evolution of ANUW, from its inception as an informal working group to its present-day status as the Association of Northwestern University Women. In 1983, discussions began among Northwestern women faculty and staff around forming the organization as we know it today.

In 1988, members Patsy Engelhard and Marsha Michaelson wrote a memo to Northwestern’s senior vice president, Lee Ellis, about the state of women administrators in higher education. They questioned what was being done to advance the careers of female employees, stating:

The question for us became, not what Northwestern University is doing for its 500 women administrators, but rather: What are we doing for ourselves and what are we willing to do for each other.”

Patsy Engelhard and Marsha Michaelson

Thereafter, the group reached consensus on a broad purpose for the present: "The purpose of the organization is to bring women administrators together with the long term goal to include all women in mentoring." - June Terpstra, founder of the Northwestern Women’s Center, 1987

Timeline

All dates are approximate

  • 1983-1988

    Faculty and Senior leadership begin preliminary discussions about forming a group for women administrators

    Source: 9/14/88 letter from Carol Simpson Stern to Lee Ellis, senior vice-president for business and finance

  • March 1987

    Four Northwestern women administrators attend the Advancement of Women in Higher Education Administration Conference are motivated to move forward

    The administrators connected at the American Council on Education/National Identification Program (ACE/NIP) at the conference.
    Source: 2/2/88 letter from Patsy Engelhard and Marsha Michaelson to Ellis

  • February 1988

    University recognition and funding are requested

    Patsy Engelhard and Marsha Michaelson write to Lee Ellis to request official recognition and funding of $3,050 to develop programs and educational events.
    Source: 2/2/88 letter from Engelhard and Michaelson to Ellis

  • February - May 1988

    Women Administrators working group and the Organization of Women Faculty consider consolidating but resolve to remain separate

    Ellis urges Engelhard and Michaelson to talk with the Organization of Women Faculty about the possibility of consolidating interests but expresses willingness to discuss the matter further.
    Source: 2/23/88 letter from Ellis to Engelhard and Michaelson

    Engelhard and Michaelson write to Ellis after having met with the Organization of Women Faculty; they state that both groups recommend a separate organization for women administrators; they request a meeting with Ellis.
    Source: 5/24/88 letter from Engelhard and Michaelson to Ellis

  • October 1988

    The Women in Administration organization is officially recognized

    Ellis appropriates $1,000 for the new university organization.
    Source: 10/27/88 letter from Ellis to Engelhard and Michaelson

  • November 1988

    The first official meeting of Women in Administration at the Northwestern Women’s Center.

    Source: 10/31/88 memo from Engelhard calling the meeting

  • February 1989

    The First official university-wide gathering sponsored by Women in Administration

    Hosted at the Guild Lounge from 5-7 p.m.

  • September 1989

    Bylaws are approved by the Steering Committee and the name is changed to Association of Northwestern Exempt Women

  • 1989-1990

    The first slate of officers and committee chairs assume leadership

    Officers

    President: Patsy Engelhard
    Leadership: Jo Tabor
    Vice President: Margi Hughes
    Program: Hilary Ward
    Secretary: Chris Jones
    Membership: Margi Hughes
    Treasurer: Jean Shedd
    Publicity: Ceile Germaine
    (Past President): Jean Thompson
    Advocacy: Barbara Siegel, Maggie Jamroz
    Finance: Jean Shedd

    Steering Committee

    Juliann Bluitt, Associate Dean, Dental Admissions
    Betty Brugger, Assistant Director, University Management Systems
    Leila Edwards, Associate Dean, Graduate Administration
    Patsy Engelhard, University College
    Janice Keith, Summer Session
    Robbee Kosak, Assistant VP, Development
    Louise Love, University College
    Carol Lunkenheimer, Director, Undergraduate Admissions
    Marsha Michaelson, Manager, EEE Relations
    Barbara Porter, Law Administrative Services
    Charlene Shryer, Manager of Publications, University Relations
    Karla Spurlock-Evans, Associate Dean, Student Services
    June Terpstra, Women’s Center
    Jean Thompson, Associate Director, Admissions, Kellogg
    Adair Waldenberg, Director, CAS Administrator

  • 1990-1991

    Bylaws are amended twice and the name is changed to Association of Northwestern University Women

  • Spring 1994

    An ANUW Interest Survey is conducted by the Membership Committee

  • July 1994

    Bylaws are amended to admit both exempt and non-exempt women on campus to membership in ANUW, and the mission statement is revised

  • May 1996

    Dues increase and a new logo is approved

    A new dues fee of $10 is instated and the winner of their new logo contest is announced.