HISTORY

In the spring of 1973, ten women majoring in agriculture at the University of Wisconsin – Madison felt a need to unite. The group included Phyllis Agnew (Gerner), Sue Hyslop (Lazaricik), Emily Uhlenhake (Knigge), Donna Cooper, Sue Gall (North), Lois Legatt (Setter), Sue Alderman (Fritz), Barb Lee, Maureen DeBruin and Patty Prust (Gonzales). They wanted to encourage their personal development to prepare themselves for careers in agriculture. Furthermore, they wanted the camaraderie that the men’s living units on agriculture campus shared.

These ten women formed an organization called the Ag Women’s Cooperative. They sought to form a unified group that would aid women in agriculture to achieve their goals and to improve communication among agriculture women, men and faculty.

In the fall of 1974, the name was changed. After some investigation, the women found that they legally could not be called a co-op. So, the group became the Association of Women in Agriculture. With the new name, membership grew. Nellie McCannon was the first advisor. An early goal was to find a house for the group. Kathy Waite organized the first house on 308 N. Prospect Street. This was AWA’s home for three school years (’75-‘78).

A letter-writing campaign during 1974 to CALS women graduates raised $300 and attracted interest in AWA. The money was used to purchase an upright freezer.
During these first years, activities with the men’s agriculture living units (DTS, AGR and Babcock) helped AWA become accepted by the men’s units. In 1978, AWA members rented 1935 University Avenue and 4123 Paunack Place.

One early challenge of AWA was being recognized by Ag Hall as being eligible for the ag living unit grade point traveling trophy. After recognition, AWA won this award often.
The first spring banquet was held in 1976. Seniors were honored and a dance followed. The annual banquet also included the installation of new officers and honored outstanding alumni and actives. A corporation annual meeting was also held at this time. Today, this is replaced with AWA Day.

Fundraising has always been an integral part of AWA. In 1976, the first Farmer’s Olympics was held. Teams from all of agriculture campus could participate in the events like grain sack slide, fecal fling and numerous eating contests.

A “slave sale” was held in the spring from 1977-80. Because of the controversial name, the name was changed to “Foot Follies” in 1981. People bought the services of AWA. Members cleaned and washed cars, etc. However, buyers only saw the feet of the people they bid on. The student newspaper, The Daily Cardinal, wrote an article on the slave sale condemning it as “unethical, antifeminist and setting back the women’s movement.” This prompted the end to a favorite event.

For several years, the group has sold Tupperware. However, one of our biggest sources of income from 1983 to the present is football parking. On days of the Badger home games, we clear out the house lots, and the AWA Fundraising Coordinator and members volunteer time to pack in cars into the lot. Raffles, bake sales and car washes have also been sponsored.
There was never a complete agreement among members (both active and alumni) as to whether this was the direction AWA should head. In the spring of 1984, the affiliation was dropped by a vote from AWA members. We felt we wanted our own identity and chance to expand on our identity and a chance to expand on our own on a national level.

The first spring formal, then called a Spring Fling, was held in 1979. It’s a formal occasion and our major social event.

As a service organization, we also sponsored the Ag Campus Blood Drive, went Christmas caroling at an area convalescent center and volunteer to work for community events. We helped freshman students in CALS register for classes before it was done by phone.
The Alumni officially formed in 1979, and in 1981, we became incorporated. The change tied us closer to CALS. Through the corporation, the alumni and the actives are one organization. The Board of Directors acts as the corporation’s governing body.

The first newsletter also came out in 1979. It has served as a way to keep alumni and actives informed of what is happening, four times a year. The summer picnic, where actives and alumni gather at the home of a member or at the house, began in 1980.

An advisory committee including Dr. Larry Satter, Rick Daluge, Nadine (Johnson) Miller and Jan Wheaton, was formed to look into housing. After a long and difficult search, the houses on University Avenue (1909 and 1915) were purchased in 1983. The blue and white houses held 19 girls. Members started living here in the fall of 1983 and continued to do so until the new house was built at 1909 University Avenue in 1994. Rural Insurance helped in the financing of the two houses, Phil Harris did the legal work and Dr. Satter, along with many others, helped to achieve the major goal of AWA.

After many years of planning and fundraising, AWA’s dream cam true. At 1909 University Avenue, the new house is located where the blue house once stood. This dream was made possible by the relentless efforts of our alumni including: Sharon Brantmier, New House Committee Chair and Jodi Saevre, Fundraising Chair.

On the professional side, AWA hosted its first National Ag Women’s Conference in 1985 and continues the regular event now called AWA Day. We also organize an annual careers conference. A database was started on all members by Barb Cooper Sherman and Roger Sherman. This keeps all addresses, parents and other information on all the corporation’s members and supporters.

AWA’s past and present members have made it what it is today. We hope that you as new members will find AWA to be rewarding and find lasting friendship as we have.

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