SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN GRADUATES
MISSION
In conjunction with IFUW and FUWA, the focus of SAAWG is graduate
women for whom the Association offers a unique opportunity for
networking, and for using the knowledge and skills gained from their
tertiary education for the betterment of other women. The Association is
committed to improving the status of women and girls, furthering the
development of education, protecting human rights and promoting world
peace through education and international friendship.
AIMS
1.
To promote understanding and friendship among all women graduates in
South Africa, and through membership of the International Federation of
University Women (IFUW) among women graduates throughout the world,
irrespective of race, nationality, religion or political opinions.
2.
To represent women graduates in South Africa and to act on their behalf.
3.
To encourage the application of their knowledge and skills in the solving of
problems that arise at all levels of public life whether local, national, regional or
worldwide, and where appropriate through the International Federation of
University Women.
4.
To further the development of education and its dissemination among all
people in South Africa.
5.
To promote co-operation between the Association and other national,
provincial or local organizations.
SAAWG
Established 30 May 2003
When World War 1 ended, Dean Virginia Gildersleeve of USA and Dr Caroline Surgeon of
Britain urged the formation of an International Federation of University Women (IFUW) to
which various other associations could be affiliated. This was founded in July 1919.
The South African Association of Women Graduates was formed only four years after the
establishment of IFUW when news of the developments overseas had been circulating in
South Africa and had been discussed by a number of women graduates in this country. Dr
Bertha Stoneman, a distinguished botanist and pioneer of women’s education who, in 1921,
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had been appointed President of the Huguenot Seminary (later the Huguenot University
College), and other enthusiasts decided to call a meeting on 30 May 1923 at Huguenot in
Wellington (the only women’s college in the country) of women graduates from all over the
country.
South Africa was the 13th country to join the Federation. Initially known as SAAUW (The
South African Association of University Women), in 1977 it adopted the name SAAWG (The
South African Association of Women Graduates) to include all women who had graduated
from a tertiary institution such as the then Technikons.
The Association held its first Annual General Meeting in the Hiddingh Hall, Cape Town, on
9 January 1924. Already it could muster 185 members. Not long afterwards a branch was
started in Cape Town. Johannesburg soon had a branch and Durban, Pretoria and
Pietermaritzburg followed. As Cape Town was bigger and more central than Wellington, the
headquarters of the Association moved into the city.
Since the establishment of our Association there have been many matters that women
graduates felt needed their urgent attention. Initially women had not yet won the franchise
and suffered much from inequalities of pay and of strictures on the work they could do,
mainly because of male prejudice and of injustice under the law. These are matters about
which, at one time or another, the Association has exerted itself. It has made direct
representations to Cabinet Ministers, and served on Commissions such as that which
investigated the legal disabilities of women, and has submitted memoranda e.g. that
presented to the Commission of Enquiry into Universities.
The status of women
Discrimination by law
prominence of one of
Reitz became the MP
disabilities of women.
has received ongoing attention.
against women in the 1930s was a mitigating factor in the rise to
our most illustrious members, Dr Margaret Ballinger. In 1933 Mrs
for Parktown and in 1937 drew attention in Parliament to the legal
In the early 80s comments were submitted to three committees investigating the status of
women:
The Parliamentary Select Committee on the Matrimonial Property Bill, 1982 –The National
Manpower Commission Ad Hoc Committee on the Legal Position of Domestic and Agricultural
Workers –The Law Commission Enquiry into Legislation Concerning Sexual Offences Against
Women.
In 1987 correspondence was forwarded to the South African Law Commission regarding the
proposed Bill of Rights. In 1991 a message was sent to the State President requesting him
“to include representatives of women’s organisations in the deliberations leading to the
drafting and negotiations of a new Constitution for South Africa”.
In the early 90s, when a women’s movement began to emerge in South Africa in the form of
the Women’s National Coalition (WNC), the Association was represented on the WNC
steering committee. This person (Doris Ravenhill) later edited their Charter for the
Effective Equality of Women which was used as a reference on gender rights in forming the
new South African Constitution.
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Resolutions taken at the Association’s Annual General Meetings reflect its commitment to
its community - at home and abroad, and these have resulted in action being taken. The
Association responded to a resolution adopted by IFUW at Graz, Austria, in August 1998, on
Abuse of Women’s Human Rights in Afghanistan. A letter in this regard was sent by the
then National President, Hazel Bowen, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and copies were
forwarded to the office of the President of South Africa, the office of the Deputy
President and the Gender Commission. A call for Peace was endorsed after the
9 September 2001 event.
Education has remained a priority concern. Various projects and activities have over the
years been undertaken. The Association has also collected data and compiled reports on
important educational, and other matters.
Still today SAAWG remains in touch with environmental affairs. A Cape Town Branch
member, Marie-Louise Roux, was awarded the 1998 Award of Excellence in the field of
conservation by the Cape Tercentenary Foundation.
Important information has also been forwarded to IFUW. Reports relating to IFUW
Triennium Study and Action Programmes (SAAP) have been submitted to shed light on the
South African situation. In 2001, a National project gathered information on the theme of
BEING FEMALE IN SOUTH AFRICA (three age groupings).
The Association has co-operated with other women’s organisations, such as the National
Council of Women, Soroptimists, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club, to try to
remove political, economic and legal discrimination against women and to improve the scope
of their education. Much of this has been done as National projects but the branches have
had excellent schemes of their own.
In 1993 SAAWG became a founder member of the Federation of University Women of
Africa. (FUWA), and in January 2000 the South African Association hosted the second
FUWA Conference in Cape Town. A number of very interesting papers were presented.
These focused on the African dilemma, the role played by women on the continent, the
challenges they face and some strategies that could be adopted to maximise the input by
women while maintaining a comfortable balance between home and work.
The National Executive has organised a number of outstanding conferences at which papers
are presented by people from a wide spectrum of disciplines. These tie in with IFUW
themes and are seen as mentoring opportunities. In 2001 the Association was proud to hold
an Awards Evening when 26 women were honoured for their contributions to research in
South Africa (Two from Cape Technikon – Kathleen Meehan and Aldina Santos). Most were
nominated by their institutions but SAAWG used the occasion to nominate three of its own
members. An Annual Journal is produced, highlighting the activities of the SAAWG but also
providing a platform for members to contribute work/issues they are involved in. Some
national conference themes have been “Women as Agents of Change” (2004); “Drop-outs
from School and Tertiary Studies : What is happening to our Girls?” (2007); “Food Security
for a Sustainable South Africa” (2008). In 2003, to commemorate the 80 th Anniversary of
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the Association, a history of SAAWG (“A Tinge of Blue”) was published and a Friendship
Tour of South Africa offered to our international members.
An essay competition, an annual lecture series, a programme geared for young schoolgirls and
a mentorship programme are current activities (this programme includes workshops on
English development, academic writing for both undergraduates and postgraduates as well as
some rural outreach). Other activities are being developed.
There have also been two Project 5-0 projects (Grahamstown and Cape Town) where funds
from overseas were obtained to assist local communities. Scholarships, Bursaries and
Awards are available, locally and internationally.
The current National Treasurer, Catherine Bell, is also the IFUW Treasurer. The immediate
past National President, Hazel Bowen (May 2005 – 2008) has been the President of FUWA
and is Convener of the Membership committee for IFUW.
Strategic Planning at both National and at Branch level has taken place during 2009:
SAAWG has committed itself to focus on “Mentorship”. Various programmes and projects
have been and will be developed with this theme in mind.
Members are invited and encouraged to become involved in any of the activities and
committees operating within SAAWG.
September 2010
Contact the branch regarding membership fee and bank details.
APPLICATION FORMS : CAPE TOWN BRANCH
PO Box 570 Rondebosch 7701
E-mail: Shirley.Churms@uct.ac.za
other areas :
Contact National Office
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SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN GRADUATES
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
NAME:_______________________________________________________________
POSTAL ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:
TEL: (W)______________________________________________________________
(H)
(CELL)____________________________________________________________
FAX: ________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL:
EASY/FREQUENT ACCESS TO INTERNET? :
YOUNG WOMEN’S NETWORK: 40 YEARS AND UNDER
Yes / No
Yes / No
QUALIFICATIONS and YEAR IN WHICH OBTAINED:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
STUDYING: ___________________________________________________________
PROFESSION:_________________________________________________________
RETIRED:
Yes / No
Year of Retirement:
__________
AWARDS:____________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSION ASSOCIATIONS: ____________________________
____________________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP OF OTHER INTEREST ASSOCIATIONS: ________________________
____________________________________________________________________
PARTICULAR INTERESTS/CONCERNS REGARDING WOMEN/GIRLS / EDUCATION
(school or higher or lifelong education)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: _________________
Abridged CV can be attached.
SIGNATURE: ______________________
Mail or e-mail to relevant Branch
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