FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2019
Media Contact:
Mary C. Hickey, hickeym@aauw.org
202.785.7748
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Scholar Awarded AAUW American Fellowship
Program aims to tackle barriers women face in education
WASHINGTON — The American Association of University Women (AAUW) awarded its 2019–20 American Fellowship to Fang Yu Hu of Chattanooga. Hu is an assistant professor of East Asian History at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“I was thrilled when I heard that I was awarded this prestigious fellowship,” said Hu. “It will help me complete my book manuscript on Han Taiwanese girls’ education under Japanese colonialism from 1895 to 1945.”
Hu will strengthen her career as a scholar of Taiwan Studies, gender studies, and Japanese colonialism as well as a teacher of East Asia, genders studies, and world history while mentoring students of diverse backgrounds.
“The support of AAUW is giving me a head start on my journey toward accomplishing my academic goals and my career aspirations,” said Hu.
AAUW is one of the world’s leading supporters of graduate women’s education: Over the past 130 years, it has provided more than $115 million in fellowships, grants, and awards to 13,000 women from more than 145 countries.
For the 2019-20 academic year, AAUW is awarding a total of $4 million through seven fellowships and grants programs to 259 scholars, research projects and programs promoting education and equity for women and girls.
American Fellowships, AAUW’s largest funding program, began 1888, making them one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious fellowship programs exclusively for women. These fellowships support women scholars who are completing doctoral dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research or finishing research for publication.
“AAUW’s fellows and grantees have made major contributions to our society and to the world at large,” said Kim Churches, the chief executive officer of AAUW. “These trailblazers are breaking the mold in nontraditional fields and redefining what leadership looks like. AAUW is proud to support them with the resources they need to excel.”
Educational funding is especially important given that women are disproportionately burdened by student debt. And their ability to pay off that debt is hampered by a lifelong pay gap that affects women in nearly every profession. The pay gap widens over time and has consequences on all aspect of a woman’s financial life, from paying for an education to saving for a comfortable retirement. AAUW’s awards help to alleviate the burden of student debt so women can focus on developing their skills and experience.
Applications open August 1 each year. Deadlines vary by program. To find out more about this year’s exceptional class of awardees, visit the online directory.
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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) empowers women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university members. Since AAUW’s founding in 1881, our members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW’s fellowships and grants have helped scholars and activists overcome barriers to education and advancement for 130 years. AAUW’s free salary negotiation course has trained thousands of women to advocate for themselves. Learn more and join us at www.aauw.org.