Thursday, Sept. 9 will be a big day for the Powell chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW).

That’s the date in 1951 when a group of Powell women, all university graduates, decided to join the national organization of AAUW. 

Pictures and memories of the first chapter years will be front and center Sept. 9, when the Powell chapter celebrates its 70th anniversary in the meeting room at the Powell Library starting at 4:30 p.m.

Shirley Cox, a charter member who still attends regularly, will be honored. 

Refreshments will be served in the 1950s style, complete with a silver tea set and real china. For the really brave members, fancy hats of the day can be worn as special adornment.

The Powell branch has been instrumental in providing college scholarships at Northwest College to high school girls and to women returning to college as non-traditional students to help attain a college education.

Throughout the years, AAUW has sponsored a number of projects, such as starting the first day care center in Powell and conducting a study to evaluate handicap accessibility in local businesses. The local chapter also contributes to national AAUW programs that aid women around the world.

Any woman who is a university graduate and is interested in learning more about AAUW and what this branch is doing is invited to the Sept. 9 meeting.