Richmond women’s group celebrates 100 years

The Richmond branch of the American Association of University Women observed its 100th birthday yesterday with a party that included high school singers modeling clothes from each decade, a review of major news events in the organization's lifetime and a look at the next century.

Thomas A. Silvestri, publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, led the historical flashback with a presentation of famous pages and headlines from the newspaper. Then Linda D. Hallman, national executive director of AAUW, spoke about the organization's direction for the next century.

The Novettes, a singing group from J.R. Tucker High School, modeled fashions from the early 1900s through the current decade and sang "Happy Birthday" for the AAUW members.

A collection of fashions and other memorabilia was displayed during the celebration.

State co-presidents Dianne Blais of Fairfax and Laura Wimmer of the Richmond branch joined Hallman and Silvestri in cutting the branch's birthday cake.

There are 28 AAUW branches and two student affiliate groups in Virginia with a total of 1,500 members. There are 1,500 other at-large members, not associated with a specific branch, living or working in the state.

The AAUW state organization opens its annual meeting today in Richmond.