1950's
1957
The Women's Division of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting with 50 women in attendance. The group became the first group of its kind in the state of Wisconsin on January 29, 1957.
First activity included sending out 11,000 surveys on how to improve shopping in the Oshkosh area.
Created a tourism information booth at the corner of Interstate 41 and 9th Avenue, along with the organization's first president's position at the Oshkosh Northwestern to promote Oshkosh to the world. The organization hosted sports and travel editors as well as Miss America, Marilyn VanDerber.
The Women's Division planned the first Christmas Toy Lane on both Main and Oregon streets.
In the first year, the organization's membership grew from 50 at its first meeting to 345!
1958
The first Powder Puff Stag was held to fundraise for the promotion of the Oshkosh area, over 500 women attended.
15,000 brochures describing Oshkosh and the surrounding areas were printed by the Women's Division.
The Tourist Information booth served over 1,000 individuals in its first year to share all that Oshkosh had to offer.
The Women's Division reinstated the Christmas parade after a 10-year lapse.
1960's
1961
The information booth closed due to declining funds but had served 2,000 people over the previous year.
1962
The Women's Division created its Tour Committee to plan and conduct tours around the city for 1,600 individuals.
Members installed and maintained 30 flower boxes along Main Street throughout the year.
1963
The Women's Division becomes the presenting sponsor of the Miss Oshkosh Scholarship Pageant.
1964
The organization asked local businesses to set aside one day a week to clean, fix and/or paint their premises, kicking off Operation Community Pride.
1965
Miss Oshkosh, Sharon Singstock, goes on to win Miss Wisconsin.
1970's
1970
The organization worked a collective 300 hours on a survey of how to improve Oshkosh.
1971
Gordy Lund and Gert Schultz agreed to serve as co-chairs for the Miss Oshkosh program and did so until 2018.
1972
Members were asked to staff the Information Booths during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event.
1975
Members worked to clean the War Memorial on High Avenue.
1976
The organization worked to develop Roe Park by purchasing benches and picnic tables, and later on providing playground equipment for the park.
1979
Miss Oshkosh 1979, Kris Konrad, wins the Miss Wisconsin crown.
1980's
1980
The organization and its members launch its cookbook program.
1980
Marilyn McCormick joins the Miss Oshkosh program as a co-chair.
1982
The organization starts the Poinsettia sale.
1983
Four members participated in The Christmas Walk, a tour of decorated homes.
1985
The organization purchased benches for bus stops at Marian Manor, Prangeway, Shopko and Copps.
1990's
1990
Miss Oshkosh 1990, Tricia Luedtke, claims the Miss Wisconsin title.
1991
The organization's first high school scholarship is awarded by members Jaye Roemming and Nancy Crha. Both still chair this committee today.
The organization sponsored a tree at the first Oshkosh Festival of Trees.
Over 800 women attended the first Fall Fashion Show, now known as the Style Show.
1996
The organization withdrew its affiliation with the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce and was renamed the Women's Division of the Oshkosh Area.
Miss Oshkosh 1996, Jennifer Streblow, went on to win the Miss Wisconsin title.
The second cookbook was written and published and raised funds for the organization through 2003.
1999
Started a walking taco sale during Sidewalk Days.
2000's
2000
An annual fundraiser, Sweet Sensations, was created to support the high school scholarship fund and various charitable organizations requesting funds.
2003
The membership started working at Waterfest every year to further raise funds for the organization.
2004
The poinsettia sale ended and a brat sale took its place as a fundraiser.
2010's
2014
The membership appointed its first Outstanding Teen representative, Deegan Maki for the Miss Oshkosh Scholarship Program.
2015
The organization's name was changed to the Oshkosh Area Women's Association, Inc. on July 1, 2015. The organization is also referred to as OAWA.
2017
The first Miss Oshkosh's Outstanding Teen competition was held as part of the Miss Oshkosh Scholarship competition.