The Founding of the Crystal Lake Area (IL) Branch

In September 1956, Mrs. Arthur Dion of Crystal Lake and Mrs. Charles Ackley of Barrington, members of the Illinois State Division, AAUW, membership committee, met to discuss the possibility of forming AAUW branches in this area.

In response to an invitation in the Crystal Lake (CL) newspaper, approximately 20 women college graduates met in November 1956 at the home of Mrs. Arthur Dion. Few of these women were acquainted with one another or with AAUW.  Still, an unanimous desire was expressed to form a CL Branch of AAUW, and temporary officers were elected.

At its April 1, 1957 meeting, the branch adopted by-laws and elected the following officers:

President – Mrs. Arthur Dion
Vice President – Miss Marie Patton
Secretary – Mrs. Donald Hoppe
Treasure – Mrs. John V. Westberg

The Branch was charted as a branch of the American Association of University Women on April 24, 1957.