History

Changes in the AAN Alliance reflect the dynamic change in the status of women in the United States in the last 50 years. Organized in 1949, the Alliance started as a Neurologist Wives Club with stated goals that included promotion of education in neurology for the membership and carrying out the social aspects of the AAN's Annual Meeting.

In the 1970s, the Alliance changed its name from the Women's Auxiliary to the Auxiliary, acknowledging that a neurologist's spouse could be a man as well as a woman. The focus of the group also changed, with more attention being given to the educational function of the Auxiliary. In addition, a lectureship was established to address new issues that included state-of-the-art information on a variety of neurological diseases, and more recently, discussions pertaining to animal research, presidential disability, and changes in health care.

Now, in the 21st century, the Alliance is an organization comprised of male and female spouses with a variety of experience levels. The focus on education has expanded and the Alliance has hosted half-day workshops on caregiver issues. The Alliance's presence has expanded to include a seat on the AAN Foundation's Board of Trustees, as well as working with the Foundation on the Auction Gala various activities during the Annual Meeting.