Since their first meeting of 17 women in 1881, AAUW has been breaking through educational and economic barriers for women and girls. Today, AAUW has more than 170,000 members and supporters and a nationwide community that includes 1,000 branches and 800 college and university partners. AAUW provides networking, advocacy and action that contribute to a more promising future for women and girls.

Every summer, for more than 70 years, the Somerset Hills Branch of AAUW has held a very popular used book sale. The book sale raises funds for the AAUW National Greatest Needs Fund, AAUW NJ Charitable Trust, Raritan Valley Community College Foundation (scholarships), local public libraries and the Bernardsville Middle School Media Center (the venue host).

The Somerset Hills Branch is a social as well as a social action organization. General meetings are informative and interactive with programs on a wide variety of topics such as travel, health, history, science, the environment or culture and are free and open to the public. There are interest groups for book discussion, cultural and social issues discussions, gourmet and Great Decisions. There are cultural trips as well.