FAIRMONT — There’s a passionate new group emerging among the student organizations at Fairmont State University.

It’s the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and members have already established community-based support with a unique mission.

The student organization became official last November, but this fall semester marks the official start of its first year as a recognized organization.

The busy women (and man) have been active participants and contributors in two major events this fall, and have some solid fundraising and community-service projects planned for the spring.

The American Association of University Women is a national organization advocating “education and equity” for women and girls, boasting nearly 100,000 members, 1,000 branches and about 500 active university and college associates.

AAUW’s mission statement is to “advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.” The association has been the chief representative for supporting these themes for women since 1881.

Amanda Barber, co-president of the Fairmont State branch of the organization, added, “(AAUW) promotes education as a gateway to freedom, because equity is still an issue.”

Amanda and her sister, Valerie, are co-presidents of the small but promising group. Acquainting the students and faculty at Fairmont State with the new organization has been challenging, but the sisters have been instrumental in creating a bond with the community and with other student organizations.

The members eagerly promote collaborations with individuals or student organizations that tackle a variety of issues pertinent to students and the community.

“We (especially) want to reach out to others who represent minority groups,” Amanda said. “The main focus is women, but it’s broader than that.”

Co-secretary Jason Vanfosson added, “Women’s issues are men’s issues, too.”

AAUW participated in a chicken wing cook-off at Fairmont State this fall and tied with the Black Student Union for best wings. The shared victory fueled for the group an idea of linking with other organizations to achieve success.

So began the immensely successful community service project AAUW contributed to throughout September and October, the third-annual Brassiere Bazaar.

A local event showcasing bras designed and modeled by members of the community, the Brassiere Bazaar is sponsored by Kaleidoscope, a nonprofit group that raises money to improve the quality of life for women suffering from breast cancer.

Many members of AAUW modeled or designed bras and helped organize the event celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Oct. 14.

The organization plans to remain active in the community throughout the year.

The members wish to assist HOPE Inc., by partnering with the local agency that offers shelter and counseling services for victims of domestic violence.

AAUW is currently planning on-campus events for next semester as well. The group plans to conduct and sponsor both a lecture and film series, and for a fundraiser, a bold but creative twist on the classic bake sale with a relevant message addressing the issue of pay equity.

“Women (generally) earn about 76 cents to every dollar a man makes,” Amanda said. “We’re holding a pay-equity bake sale, where (items) will be different prices for men and women.”

The organization also plans to research more reliable day-care options for the large body of non-traditional students at Fairmont State.

As AAUW’s mission statement pledges to support education and research, this project could potentially offer solutions that could help those students support and prioritize both their families and their education.

Amanda also cited the Campus Action Project as another endeavor they would plan for the future. Affiliated with the national branch of AAUW, the project has an annual theme, and any campus organization is welcome to create a project that addresses the theme. (Last year’s theme was pay equity, and the winning organization illustrated it through an art exhibit).

With the theme in mind, the organization can apply for a grant to support the project, and then submit it to the national branch.

“We’ve realized AAUW is an alternative to other organizations for women on campus,” Valerie said positively.

The American Association of University Women is certainly making strides in establishing itself as an alternative but interactive group on the Fairmont State campus, eager to join forces with other student organizations, as well as groups throughout the community.

The AAUW Fairmont Branch will be holding its annual holiday festivities at the December meeting on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Woman’s Club in Fairmont. All are welcome to attend. The Fairmont Branch’s regular meetings occur the first Saturday of every month.

For more information, e-mail Amanda Barber at abarber@fairmontstate.edu or visit AAUW on its Facebook group.