What is the Arizona Women’s History Alliance?
The Arizona Women’s History Alliance (AzWHA) is a statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The AzWHA was founded in 2012, by Melanie Sturgeon and Joan Meachem.
Vision Statement
Arizona Women Shape History
What is the mission of the Arizona Women’s History Alliance?
Dedicated to expanding awareness and preservation of Arizona’s women’s history
How Does the Arizona Women’s History Alliance Fulfill Its Mission?
A 501 [c] [3] nonprofit organization, the Corporation expands Arizona women’s history and education, including the promotion of new research and writing. The Corporation increases public awareness of the experiences and intergenerational contributions of Arizona women who collectively represent Arizona’s rich and diversified racial, indigenous, ethnic, cultural, social, economic, and political history.
Every two years the Arizona Women’s History Alliance organizes an all-day Arizona Women’s History Symposium. The Symposium is directed toward the public at large who are interested in learning about the contributions of Arizona women from a variety of backgrounds, races, ethnicities, cultures and walks of life. Each Symposium is built around a theme. Speakers and panels are made up of writers of history including academics, public historians and successful writers with a history avocation. The Symposium fosters thoughtful and lively discussions on historical topics, engages participants by providing context, depth and perspective, weighing facts and considering different points of view. It encourages learning about how to research and write well the history of Arizona women and presents opportunities for reflection on the ways the past can give us insights into the present.
We encourage, promote and partner with local, regional, and national educational programs and exhibits focused on Arizona women. We network with advocacy organizations such as historical societies, museums and libraries, archives, colleges and universities, women’s clubs, and grassroots organizations. We encourage and support individual women and women’s organizations to preserve and donate their papers, including photographs and correspondence. We provide funding and resources to support scholars, students, and successful writers with a history avocation interested in documenting women’s history.
Who serves on the Board of Directors?
The Arizona Women’s History Alliance Board of Directors has no less than three and no more than eleven members. Board terms are three years. The board is made up of members who share a commitment to preserving and expanding Arizona women’s history through education and the promotion of new research and writing. Board members’ backgrounds, expertise, and contacts provide the tools needed to foster a forward-thinking organization. The AzWHA believes its Board of directors should reflect the rich cultural, professional and geographic diversity of Arizona. Members serve three-year terms, with the possibility of renewal for a second term.
What Is expected of a Board Member?
The AzWHA depends on the active participation of every Board member to fulfill the mission. Board members are expected to actively serve and contribute their time, resources, contacts and expertise. Board members are expected to attend regular monthly meetings, donate personally and fundraise to support the organization annually. Members are expected to participate in the planning and organization of the bi-annual symposium, in addition to special programs or projects. Members serve on standing or ad hoc board committees which implement the duties and activities set forth above. Duties include participating in the governance of the board and assuring that the AzWHA meets its fiduciary duties as set forth in the bylaws, state and federal law.
