American Humanist Association

Specialties

The American Humanist Association (AHA) is a 501c3 nonprofit educational organization founded in 1941. Our mission is to advance humanism, an ethical and life-​affirming philosophy free of belief in any gods and other supernatural forces. We advocate on behalf of humanists, atheists, freethinkers, secularists, and the non-​religious through lobbying on Capitol Hill, legal advocacy to protect church-​state separation and defend atheist rights, and building humanist communities across America.

With over 30,000 members and supporters, 400,000 followers on Facebook, 185 local chapters and affiliates across the U.S., and seventeen full-​time staffers, the American Humanist Association is one of the oldest and largest organizations in the secular movement.

Members and visitors are welcome to stop by our office during business hours.

History

Established in 1941.

The American Humanist Association was founded in 1941 at the University of Chicago after a group of Unitarians, Ethical Culture leaders, secular Jews, and atheists gathered to form a new organization to represent Americans who did not believe in supernaturalism. The AHA has since grown to represent all members of the secular spectrum: secular and religious humanists, atheists, freethinkers, agnostics, rationalists, naturalists, Brights, and the religiously unaffiliated, or «nones.» The AHA was previously located in Yellow Springs, OH, and Amherst, NY, before moving to Washington DC in 1999 to increase its political advocacy work.

Meet the Manager

Maggie A.

Manager

Maggie Ardiente is the director of development and communications for the American Humanist Association and senior editor for The​Hu​man​ist​.com. She graduated with a B.S. in sociology from James Madison University and served as Vice President of the JMU Freethinkers, a student group for atheists, agnostics, and humanists. She is a former board member of the Secular Student Alliance and a graduate (Class 15) and board member of The Humanist Institute.