PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM
AAUW Strategic Plan
Be recognized as the leading advocate for education and equity for all women and girls. Be a catalyst for change that furthers our mission. Be a model of a 21st century women's organization. Be racially and culturally diversified with a strong and growing membership and donor base to realize this mission. Maintain a sound financial base to assure present and future effectiveness.
2005-2007 Public Policy Principles for Action
Adopted June 2005
Basic to all of AAUW's public policy efforts is the understanding that
true
equity requires a balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of
community. We firmly believe in the separation of church and state.
AAUW supports constitutional protection for the civil rights of all individuals,
including the right to privacy. We support a fair and balanced judiciary.
We oppose all forms of discrimination. we support affirmative action as
a
remedy for past discrimination. We affirm our commitment to passage
and
ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
AAUW believes that quality public education is the foundation of a democratic
society. We advocate equity, academic freedom, protection from censorship,
bias-free education, and responsible funding for all levels of education.
We
advocate increased access to higher education, especially for women in
poverty.
AAUW promotes the economic, social, and physical well-being of all persons.
Essential to that well-being are an economy that provides equitable employment
opportunities, a living wage, reduction of poverty, quality dependent care, paid
family and medical leave, decent and affordable housing, and quality affordable
healthcare; freedom from violence; and a clean and healthful environment.
We
We support public budgets that balance individual rights and responsibility to
community. We support meaningful campaign finance reform that will promote
equitable participation and representation.
AAUW values and is committed to the arts and humanities, which develop and
enhance our pluralist cultural heritage.
AAUW believes that global interdependence requires national and international
policies that promote peace, justice, human rights, sustainable
development
and mutual security for all people. We advocate public discussion to
ensure
enlightened discussions on these issues. We support a strengthened United
Nations and its affiliated agencies. We advocate implementation of the
Bejing
Declaration and Platform for Action from the 4th World Conference on Women
and subsequent declarations. We affirm our commitment to the U.N.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW).
Public Policy News Updates
AAUW Action Network Successes Depend on Your Activism!
Notes from the National AAUW Public Policy Department
What is STEM?
No, it is not the base for a flower. STEM is an acronym for Science, Math, Engineering and Technology. A report by the National Academies, which is a committee of experts from various STEM fields, issued a report, "Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering," documenting that women experience subtle, lifelong discrimination in STEM careers. To remedy this, the House Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing in early May on a bill named "Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act." As yet, no HR number has been assigned. The legislation, to be introduced by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, will coordinate national anti-gender bias workshops, publish demographic and funding data for grant applications, extend grant support for researchers on leave for care-giving, and submit to Congress a report on the bill's impact.
Update on HEA Extension
Also in early May, the House passed an extension of the Higher Education Act, legislation that AAUW has supported and for which we have made recommendations. (Previous Bylines have described the bill and AAUW's recommendations.) The Senate and the House have different versions of the bill and these versions are being negotiated.
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Narrowly Fails to Clear Senate
AAUW is one of many organizations that support the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which narrowly failed to pass the legislation. The act would reverse the Supreme Court's finding in favor of the Goodyear Company to limit the ability of employees to sue for pay discrimination.
"We got 56 senators to vote for pay equity," said Lisa M. Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "While we needed 60 votes to move to final passage, it's clear a majority of the Senate supports this critical civil rights legislation."
The bill will be up for another vote at date yet to be determined.
AAUW History Snapshots
In 2000, AAUW released Tech Savvy: Educating Girls in the Computer Age. Our organization continues to support programs that prepare girls for STEM careers (Science, technology, engineering and math.)
In 2005, AAUW expanded its membership to include women who have graduated from 2-year colleges in addition to those who have degrees from 4-year institutions.
National AAUW officially recognized the Bethlehem Branch on April 4, 1929 with 55 members.
Myra Saturen
Public Policy Chairwoman