ABOUT

AWA History

In the spring of 1973, 11 women majoring in agriculture at the University of Wisconsin – Madison formed an organization called the Ag Women's Cooperative. These forward-thinking women sought to form a unified group that would improve communication among women in agriculture and aid them in achieving their goals.  The group included Barb Lee, Donna Humphreys (Cooper), Emily Ulenhanke (Knigge), Jody Spanul, Kathy Braun (Waite), Patty Prust (Heckart), Phyllis Agnew (Gerner), Sue Alderman (Fritz), Sue Lerner (Lazaricik), and Sue Gail (North). In the fall of 1974, the name was changed to the Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA).

An early goal of the organization was to obtain a living unit for student members. A 1974 letter-writing campaign to College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) women graduates raised $300 and attracted interest in AWA. The money was used to purchase an upright freezer. In 1978, AWA members rented 1935 University Avenue and 4123 Paunack Place.

AWA's first spring banquet, which included an annual meeting, installation of officers, and  awards ceremony, was held in the spring of 1976. Today, this is annual event is known as AWA Day. 

The alumni organization officially formed in 1979, and in 1981, AWA incorporated. The Board of Directors acts as the corporation's governing body.

AWA's first newsletter was published in 1979. Today, AWA uses its website and regular electronic communications to stay in contact with members and friends. Also in 1979, the first spring formal, then called Spring Fling, was held.

An advisory committee including Dr. Larry Satter, Rick Daluge, Nadine (Johnson) Miller and Jan Wheaton, was formed to look into housing. After a long and difficult search, the houses on University Avenue (1909 and 1915) were purchased in 1983. The blue and white houses held 19 women. Members started living here in the fall of 1983 and continued to do so until the new house was built at 1909 University Ave. in 1994. Phil Harris did the legal work and Dr. Satter, along with many others, helped to achieve the major goal of AWA. After many years of planning and fundraising, AWA’s dream came true. At 1909 University Avenue, the new house stands where the old blue house once stood. This dream was made possible by the relentless efforts of our alumni including: Sharon Brantmier, New House Committee Chair and Jodi Saevre, Fundraising Chair.

The three pillars of AWA are service, social and professional. Professional activities include potential interviews, dress for success, the mentor program, etiquette dinner, financial planning workshops held by alumni, networking dinners and more. AWA women strive for professional success by doing multiple internships in various areas including communications, research, sales, finance and others, which leads to AWA membes working in many fields spanning the nation. 

Social activites include house dinners with other agriculture groups on campus, AWA formal, AWA initiation, craft nights, sister bonding activities like movie nights, cookie decorating, pumpkin carving, and ice skating.

Service activities include volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house, card making, Second Harvest Food Bank, highway clean-up, ringing bells for Salvation Army, Rally to Fight Hunger, and much more.

Fundraising has always been an integral part of AWA. Since 1983, one of our biggest sources of fundraising income has been football parking. Over the years, other fundaisers have included members doing projects at the request of alumni and friends, assisting employers at the Career Fair, paint nights, Culvers Scoopie Nights, the sale of Tupperware, Pampered Chef, kringles, note cards, calendars, and others.