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Amazing things happen when women come together with a common goal in mind.

A perfect example of women working together for other women is displayed in the accomplishments of the American Association of University Women Maryville branch and the Women's Equity Foundation.

The local AAUW branch, established in 1942, has sponsored many female-oriented programs in Blount County over the years.

From its funding and management of "Reading is Fun" at local elementary schools, to the establishment of a scholarship award for rising college sophomores and juniors, the group has made a contribution to almost every school on every grade level.

AAUW has also hosted several programs for women and girls including "Women and Political Participation," "Women in Transition" (for women returning to college), five Sister-to-Sister summits for high school and middle school girls and several Women's History Month forums including "Take Back the Night Through Justice."

Down to business

While there's no doubt that AAUW has made a difference in the community, one must wonder how they get it all done -- that's where the Women's Equity Foundation comes in.

WEF was recently deemed a nonprofit 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service, and the group's president, Harolyn Ropp, said she hopes this new designation will encourage more individuals to donate time or funds to the organization.

Established in 2005, WEF directly supports the endeavors of AAUW Maryville branch.

Operated as a lean charitable organization, WEF has no full- or part-time employees. It is comprised of only six board members and 21 to 100 volunteers, depending on the event at the time.

While funds raised by WEF support all AAUW programs, the group focuses most of its funds and energy on the annual Sister-to-Sister summits, Women's History Month issues forums and the annual Crystal Award.

How do they really help?

While it's usually easy for organizations to rattle off successful short-term ventures, AAUW has a proven long-standing commitment to Blount County's women and girls.

For example, the group followed and dug deep into the causes and repercussions of sexual harassment in schools on a national, state and local level.

The national arm of AAUW released "Hostile Hallways," a study on the frequency of sexual harassment in schools and the repercussions girls faced in the late '90s.

The national survey found that most harassment started in the seventh grade and that more incidents occurred in the hallway than any other location. Possibly the most disturbing fact to come from the study -- most girls reacted to the harassment by not returning to school.

Members of the AAUW Maryville branch found these results unacceptable and set out to change things in their community.

In 2002, a poll taken at the annual Sister-to-Sister Summit of girls who attend Blount County schools reflected many of the disturbing national trends.

Again, the hallway was the most likely place for sexual harassment to occur, and as girls advanced in school, their chances of being harassed grew.

The national survey and results from the local poll prompted Wendy Pitts Reeves and Ropp to host "A Report on the Status of Girls in the Schools of Blount County" in 2002.

Guidance staff, teachers, school principals and administrators for grades five through 12 in Alcoa, Blount County and Maryville schools were invited.

Reeves and Ropp outlined the plight of girls in our schools, as well as ways officials could help girls cope and why schools should be concerned about the growing trend.

Continuing efforts

The groups continue to allow girls to address this issue and many more in their annual summits.

Some of the most talked about topics at the Sister-to-Sister summits are drugs, sex, peer pressure, alcohol, grades and school and parents and family.

This year's summit will be held Nov. 2 at Maryville College.

AAUW Maryville says that with the help of WEF, it's programs will continue to grow and the dream of expanding the Maryville branch into surrounding counties may become a reality.

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Who's who on the Women's Equity Foundation Board

n President: Harolyn Ropp

Ropp runs her own computer consulting business. She has been an ardent champion for women since mid-1970 when she was forced to resign her tenured position in education because of a pregnancy. She has served on the board of many advocacy groups.

n Treasurer: Kathleen Sallee

Sallee is a senior tax advisor. She has served for 10 years as finance vice president for AAUW Maryville branch. She is currently the branch chairwoman for the national AAUW Educational Foundation.

n Secretary: Wendy Pitts Reeves

Reeves is a professional speaker and business owner. She is also a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. She has chaired all past Sister-to-Sister summits. Reeves was also recently elected to Seat 4C on the Blount County Commission.

n Director: Charlotte Crawford

Crawford is a freelance editor. In Illinois, she was elected to and served as president of her local school board. She is the founder and former president of Illinois' Gender Equity Fund. She has received several awards for promoting education and opportunities for women.

n Director: Millie Flood

Flood is a retired industrial engineer. She is past president and treasurer of Citizens for Community Improvement in Friendsville and was instrumental in establishing CCI as a nonprofit organization.

n Director: Vivian Selecman

Selecman is a retired special education teacher from Iowa. She has served on several local boards. Selecman has served six years as AAUW membership vice-president at both the state and branch levels.