Who we are

by Dee Pattee † 2021, one of our Founding Members
edited by Claudia Ziersch - January 2026

The AAUPW began life here in Munich as a “satellite” of the American Association of University Women. Our founder, Suzanne Riemer, was a U.S. Army social worker who, in the spring of 1988, invited all interested American university women to a founding meeting on the campus of the University of Maryland in Munich. There were less than a dozen women at this first meeting, but the group quickly grew in members and enthusiasm.

Some early topics: Women’s health issues, “I was a Hostage in Iran” (member Kathryn Koob), “Getting a Job in Germany” and “What’s Happened to Volunteering.”  We visited museums, the zoo, a chocolate shop, a goldsmith’s atelier, and even the Fertility Clinic at Frauenklinik on Maistrasse. A monthly newsletter was published…. typed, mimeographed, mailed to all the members. Quaint, wasn’t it?

For the first 10 years, our club had ties to the parent organization, the American Association of University Women, and was so named. In addition to local dues, we collected a sum from each member and sent it to the U.S. But the ties were weak, no advantage seemed to come from our status as a “satellite” and in the end the entire membership voted to sever the connection and adopt a new name: adding the word “Professional” to our title.

Along the way we founded a Book Club and added a Girls Night Out, and we began our support of the IMMA Zufluchtsstelle, a ‘safe house’ for young women in Munich. During it's initial years we also supported the “Sichere Wiesn" (Safe at the Oktoberfest), an initiative to help female visitors in trouble at the often rowdy Oktoberfest, both financially, by distributing flyers to various hotels and with proofreading their flyer. One of our most popular events have been the political debates at Amerika Haus, held every four years since 2004, with two exceptions (2020 & 2024) in the fall before the U.S. presidential elections.

by Claudia Ziersch - January 2026

What began as a one-time donation and a simple presentation by Ingrid Reich from IMMA in November 2003 soon blossomed into a great partnership.

IMMA stands for Initiative Münchner Mädchen, which is really a very large organization offering a variety of services for women and girls. AAUPW usually supports the safe house, which shelters girls between the ages of 12 and 18 for up to 6 months. These girls come from diverse backgrounds and are there for different reasons, but none of them can live at home any more.

After repeated donations the group as a whole decided that the IMMA safehouse should be our adopted charity. Soon we started donating annually and, as our financial comittment grew, so did our desire to know more about and do more for IMMA.

Thus, in 2007?, after much bureaucracy, AAUPW officially began activities at the IMMA safehouse. At first this included yoga, movie night, baking and crafts. But it was difficult for our volunteers to find time for activities that fit in the busy schedule at the shelter as every night has a different plan. Once we found out that Mondays are for homework a handful of AAUPW members started assisting during this time. Usually a AAUPW member can be found at the shelter during the Monday homework sessions 2-3 times a month.

Sometimes we are also able to offer other activities - such as a sewing afternoon with the girls or cooking a special meal. In addition  we usually host 4 quarterly events at a neutral location where any AAUPW member can join in. These are usually 3 brunches with an activity afterwards and our annual Christmas cookie baking jubilee.  At the AAUPW Holiday Party members are encouraged to either bring a gift selected from a managed list or donate to our special shopping fund for Christmas presents for the shelter. Molly has also facilitated a large donation from her employer - you can read more about that here.

We are always looking for new members to join our small group that is active with the IMMA girls. We recommend joining in one of our Saturday activities to see what it’s like. Then, for anyone who is interested in getting more involved, we can introduce you to activities at the shelter for which you need a certificate of good conduct (polizeiliches Führungszeugnis).

The thing that impresses the girls most is that people who don’t get paid for it are willing to donate their time and spend it with them. The director and the team at the shelter repeatedly stress this fact and are always very thankful for our time and money.

byMary Laqua and  Claudia Ziersch - January 2026

After 20 years of caroling, the choir decided it was time to write a history of exactly what it is we do. If I remember correctly in 2006, Kristy K. was taking voice lessons at the time and suggested that we do some singing together. Our member, Mary L., was a music therapist at Caritas St. Anna Haus, a skilled nursing facility in Holzkirchen, and she immediately became our accompanist and director. She arranged for us to carol and served to guide us though the facility. 

Thus, 2006 was the first year that we caroled at the Anna Haus. Our repirtoire consists of both German and English Christmas Carols. Since then we have been there in red and green, wearing antlers and Santa hats. One time a member even tap-danced. Mary L. has bells for the visitors to jingle along to Jingle Bells and encourages patients to sing along to the much-loved tunes.

Unfortunately, during Covid, we were unable to sing together or carol at Anna Haus. And in 2024, due to resurging illnesses among several choir members, we again had to cancel our performance. Finally, in Dec. 2025, after 5 years, we had a wonderful “reunion” with many of the home residents and staff. We also had a new opportunity to sing at a nursing home facility in Haidhausen; also a touching and worthwhile experience.

The caroling itself seems over quickly - just one Sunday afternoon. After meeting and warming up (both vocally and physically) we attract attention by singing a few opening holiday numbers (German AND English, mind you) in the facility’s main entry hall. We then proceed to the top floor, where we sing for the “special care” residents, those with advanced stages of dementia, etc. often responding to us and to our songs with spontaneous, unfiltered comments, singing, clapping, swaying. We continue onto the other 3 floors, with a somewhat longer performance on the first floor, where an electric piano stands waiting for us, assisting to enrich our performance of “bigger”, feature pieces i.e. White Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock... In addition to caroling throughout the entire facility, we visit one or two bedridden residents, literally encircling them with our song. This is a holiday highlight for ALL. The joy, good cheer, and good will we bring to the residents and staff is mirrored in their gaze, singing, and sometimes includes them accompanying us on small percussion instruments, We’ve even gained a “Choir Groupie” or two, who follow us from floor to floor. It’s such a wonderfully heart-warming, win-win, positive experience for all.

Performing at the annual AAUPW Holiday Party has also become a regular event. A highlight here was performing for the AAUPW 30^th Anniversary Gala 2018, held at our party venue for many years: the institute of Wayne University’s “Junior Year in Munich”. We usually sing a feature piece and 1-2 additional holiday favorites. We’ve additionally led sing-a-longs for this event, as well as for the club’s annual 4th of July party. In 2010, we also sang a well-received medley from the musical, “The Music Man” at Amerika Haus.

The AAUPW Seasonal Choir is much more than just our performances. It is a time for community among our members. So many of us have generously offered their commitment and time, have opened their homes to host us for rehearsing, making this experience so worthwhile. The smaller group allows us to connect even more. We generally rehearse for approx. 1 ½ hours and then allow time to visit and socialize. (Occasionally, this occurs in reserve order ;).

Getting together to sing is always a wonderful time.