The Associated Women Students organization evolved from the Women’s League, which was organized shortly after women were readmitted to the university in 1893. (The ASW constitution was issued in 1895.) It came into being by a name change from the Women’s Student Government Association. All regularly enrolled women students of the university were members of the Associated Women Students. The AWS election of officers and board members was held each winter quarter. The purposes of the AWS were to regulate all matters pertaining to the welfare of women students, to further the spirit of unity and service, to increase a sense of individual responsibility, and to create and maintain high standards and ideals for the women students of the university. It operated by means of the Associated Women Students Council, similar to the All Students’ Council of the All Students’ Club.
Affiliated with the Intercollegiate Associated Women Students, the national organization of college women, the AWS annually published Tennessee Girl, which provided information on campus life for female first-year students and provided the social regulations governing all women students. On January 29, 1970, the AWS Council unanimously voted to dissolve the AWS by approving a resolution that stated that the organization’s goals had been examined and accomplished. The resolution further stated that the future of AWS was unnecessary. The organization officially dissolved on March 18, 1970.