Gloria L. Blackwell is the chief executive officer of the highly esteemed American Association of University Women (AAUW) in Washington, D.C. — a 142-year advocate and leader for gender equity.
AAUW is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with over 100,000 members, donors, and supporters; 800 local branches; and 500 college and university partners. Its mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. With a strong background in international education and development, Blackwell also serves as AAUW’s main representative to the United Nations.
Blackwell, a leader in the nonprofit, global education, and gender equity sectors, has more than 30 years of nonprofit, international, and government experience. Among her many accomplishments is the 17-year management of AAUW’s highly esteemed fellowships and grants programs — during her tenure awarding more than $70 million in funding to women scholars and community programs globally.
She significantly expanded AAUW’s outreach to girls and women of color across all programmatic initiatives, including fellowships and grants, piloting AAUW STEMEd for Girls and AAUW Money Smart virtually during the pandemic, partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, and the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. Blackwell has been the co-principal investigator on multiple National Science Foundation grants, including higher education compensation transparency, and efforts to increase girls’ participation in STEM.
Blackwell holds a master’s degree in education and human development from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She studied at the American University in Paris.
She previously held leadership roles at the Institute of International Education and served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon and a headquarters staff member.