Our branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) proudly represents the three counties surrounding the picturesque Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia: Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania. Whether we live on or off the lake, we’re surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery our beautiful state has to offer. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Roanoke and Lynchburg, Smith Mountain Lake is conveniently located less than four hours from anywhere in Virginia and just 4.5 hours from Washington, DC. Since our chapter was formed in 2000, we’ve grown into a vibrant, tenacious and dedicated group of over 80 members who are passionate about education and community service.
At the heart of our gatherings is a shared commitment to lifelong learning, all guided by AAUW’s Mission Statement: “To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.” Candidly, we always find time to have some fun along the way so our meetings are warm, inviting and informal gatherings.
Announcing Our 2025 Scholarship Winners!
We are so very proud to celebrate the five incredible young women awarded our SMAAUW 2025 Scholarships! Four recipients received $5,000 each, and one earned the $6,000 Toni Seidelmann Memorial Scholarship, honoring a cherished branch member devoted to empowering women in STEM.
These accomplished scholars are so impressive! Their strong academic records, dedication to their educational goals and commitment to community service initiatives are stunning! We wish them lasting success and are inspired by their bright futures. When strong young women are supported, our whole community benefits.
We awarded a remarkable total of $26,000 in scholarship monies this year!
Thank you to all who helped make this possible — especially through your support of our 2024 signature fundraiser!
Go ahead and mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 12th for our 2025 fundraiser! Last year we had a sold-out crowd! We will keep you posted about the plans for our 2025 fundraiser as they evolve.