June 26
Ledbetter, women politicians headline AAUW convention
St. Louis Beacon (June 26, 2009)
St. Louis is the host city for the AAUW national convention, which is featuring Lilly Ledbetter, the nationally-known pay equity advocate. Additionally, the convention’s opening session will feature the local St. Louis Comptroller, Darlene Green.
900 AAUW members attend St. Louis convention
St. Louis Business Journal (June 26, 2009)
Over 900 AAUW members are meeting this weekend for the organization’s national convention. Featured speakers include Lilly Ledbetter, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA). Marsha Koch currently serves as the AAUW state president for Missouri, the host state for this St. Louis convention.
Jackie Speier Speaking at AAUW National Convention This Weekend
California Chronicle (June 25, 2009)
Nearly a thousand women are meeting in St. Louis this weekend for the AAUW national convention. Rep. Jackie Speier from California is one of the featured speakers, as well as Lilly Ledbetter and Rep. Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (June 25, 2009)
The current state of the economy has led some women to become the breadwinners in their households. When subjected to wage discrimination, the loss in income affects more than women, it affects the families they support, too.
Money for Grad School
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (June 24, 2009)
When the economy isn’t doing well, many people go back to school. While grad school can be an expensive way to boost your career, there are tips to shopping around at different schools and finding funding through scholarships and even fellowships from AAUW.
Paycheck Fairness
New York Times Editorial (June 23, 2009)
President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law in January 2009, but it did not include the paycheck fairness bill. This bill would combat gender discrimination in pay by requiring employers to prove differences in wages are based on the jobs themselves rather than gender. Obama supported the bill when he was a Senator, and his support could help move it along now.
June 22
AAUW Co-Sponsors Summit Aimed at Encouraging Girls to Consider Careers in STEM
(Sunday, June 21) Bradenton Herald
Mona Jain, M.D., chairwoman for the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and a lifelong member of AAUW, said only 54 percent of women go to college after high school, and of that percentage, only 22 percent opt for science, engineering, technology and math fields.
White House Press Office Takes Note of AAUW Statement on Judge Sonia Sotomayor
(Friday, June 19) White House Press Office
AAUW is among a handful of groups quoted in a "What They’re Saying about Judge Sotomayor" press release issued by the White House. AAUW is formulating a set of questions for the Senate Judiciary Committee. If you have questions about her stances on any of AAU's issues, visit AAUW Dialog. Read AAUW’s statement about Sotomayor.
AAUW Names 2009 Eleanor Roosevelt Fund Award Winner
(Wednesday, June 17) The Daily Journal
Wanda P. Hardy, an adjunct faculty member in Cumberland County College's Department of Business, will receive the AAUW's 2009 Eleanor Roosevelt Fund Award during the AAUW National Convention, which has already received some media attention in the Suburban Journal of Greater St. Louis. Read more.
AAUW Member Leader's Thoughts about Pay Equity Appear in The Advocate
(Wednesday, June 17) The Advocate
AAUW-LA State President Anne K. Taylor cited AAUW data in her letter to the editor about pay equity. The state has the largest pay gap in the nation with women working full time make just 65 percent of what their male counterparts earn.
AAUW Supports Newly Introduced Bill which Addresses Gender Equity in Sports
(Wednesday, June 17) Star-Gazette
AAUW supports legislation that would require public reporting of high school sports participation rates by gender. AAUW believes the High School Athletics Accountability Act (H.R. 2882) would help communities better enforce Title IX.
AAUW Co-Hosts Capitol Hill Briefing on Girls’ Sports
(Tuesday, June 16) Women’s Sports Foundation
Almost 37 years after the passage of Title IX, girls and women have made significant strides toward equity in athletics, but there is still a long way to go, since female students still have fewer chances to play high school sports compared with male students. Read more coverage.
June 12
Trinity Students Have High Praise for the AAUW/NASPA Student Leadership Conference
Trinity Washington University (Thursday, June 11)
Students, who attended the NCCWSL conference, returned to their campuses with a fresh perspective about what it means to be a leader. "It was an opportunity for women to come together and contribute ideas while speaking on serious issues. This was a life-altering experience," said Tina Pryce, an English major at Trinity Washington University.
Campaign College Promoted at AAUW’s Summer Conference for College Women
Women & Politics Institute blog (Monday, June 8)
Jillian Rubino, director of leadership programs with the Women and Politics Institute at American University, blogs about Campaign College.
Ambivalence about Feminism
Fem 2.0 (Friday, June 5)
The opening session of NCCWSL gave students a chance to talk about feminism. Some embraced the term, while others felt it was an obstacle.
Assistant Secretary Duckworth Honored With Women of Distinction Award
PRNewswire (Friday, June 5)
Maj. L. Tammy Duckworth received the AAUW/NASPA Women of Distinction Award during NCCWSL. "I am honored to be here today in the company of such accomplished and talented women," Duckworth said. Read more.
Naomi Tutu Inspires Students at National Conference for College Women Student Leaders
The Diamondback (Thursday, June 11)
Naomi Tutu, the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, told the woman at NCCWSL to find their own gifts and use them for good. Chanel Harris, a student at Los Angeles Valley College, said hearing Tutu "s like the icing on the cake for this whole conference."
NCCWSL Keynoter on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday
NPR Weekend Edition Sunday (Sunday, June 7)
Naomi Tutu talks about her role as the keynote speaker at NCCWSL and her human rights activism.
Equal Pay Helps All
Bangor Daily News (Thursday, June 11)
In an editorial board meeting with The Bangor Daily News, AAUW explained how the Paycheck Fairness Act would help create a climate where pay discrimination is not tolerated. Later, the paper published an editorial in support of the bill.
AAUW, Dr. Phil Mentioned in Column about Equal Pay Act Anniversary
KansasCity.com (Wednesday, June 10)
A column about the 46th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act opened with a reference to AAUW and Dr. Phil. "AAUW decided to mark the anniversary date by urging Congress to move forward on the proposed Paycheck Fairness Act," columnist Diane Stafford writes. Read the AAUW press release.
Pitt Graduate Student Earns AAUW Fellowship
NewsFromPitt (Tuesday, June 2)
Jessica Ghilani, a doctoral candidate in the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Communication, won a fellowship from AAUW to complete her dissertation. AAUW remains one of the world’s largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, providing more than $3 million in funding to outstanding women in the 2009-10 academic year. Learn more about the about 2009-10 fellowship and grant winners.
What It Means to Be a Woman
The Florida Times-Union (Monday, June 1)
First-person essays about being female in the 21st century also featured a "Did You Know" sidebar with facts from AAUW’s latest wage gap data. Florida women with a college degree earn 80 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterpart. That figure drops to 76 cents for Florida women with a high school degree. See how your state compares.
AAUW Member Leader Pens Guest Opinion about Fair Pay
The Billings Gazette (Saturday, May 30)
Susan Lubbers, public policy chair for AAUW of Montana, urges the Senate to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, saying it's a matter of fairness and that it’s "smart economic policy for Montana and for the country."
May 29
AAUW 2009 Woman of Distinction Picks up New Honor
(June 2009) The Washingtonian
Popular Talk Radio Host Diane Rehm, who will be honored at the AAUW/NASPA 2009 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders on Thursday, June 4 at the University of Maryland, has been named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of 12 Washington anchors "to give it to us straight." To read more about Rehm, the other 2009 Women of Distinction, and NCCWSL, visit the AAUW Newsroom.
AAUW on the Nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court
(Thursday, May 28) NPR
Judge Sonia Sotomayor is expected to begin making courtesy visits next week to Senate leaders and members of the Judiciary Committee who will conduct hearings on her nomination to the Supreme Court. Read AAUW’s statement.
(Wednesday, May 27) KPVI
AAUW provided a Campus Action Project grant enabling 50 young women from various high schools throughout eastern Idaho to attend a leadership and career conference. Learn more about the work of the Idaho State University AAUW CAP team.
AAUW thanks the Mary Ann Ahrens Giving Circle and to Lilo and Gerard Leeds for providing substantial support for this year's Campus Action Projects.
Mujer y Universidad: Una Ruta a la Equidad (Women and Education: A Path to Equity)
(Wednesday, May 27) universia.pr
This article from a Spanish-language website talks about AAUW scholarship and fellowship programs, the wage gap, and mentions Linda Hallman’s visit to the AAUW Puerto Rico branch. While on the island, Hallman talked about how women in college believe they are part of a meritocracy and how that view changes once they enter the workforce.
Thanks to AAUW-Funded Mentoring Program, Students Reach High
(Sunday May 24) LancasterOnline
A ninth-grader from Columbia, PA, went from thinking she’d not be able to attend college to seeing higher education as a realistic goal thanks to a mentoring program called College Connections. Read more about the work of the Franklin and Marshall College AAUW CAP team.
May 22
AAUW Executive Director Gets Invited to the White House
Linda D. Hallman this week went to the White House for an informal meeting with the First Lady, who is reaching out to various women’s organizations. Recent news coverage about Michelle Obama focused on her Time Magazine interview. She appears on the cover of the latest issue which hit newsstands on Friday.
Read more: http://www.wowowow.com/politics/michelle-obama-impressed-first-lady-friendliness-very-cool-302934
Read the story in Time: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1900067,00.html
AAUW's Top Policy Adviser Speaks at Equal Pay for Equal Work Press Conference
(Thursday, May 21) ChrisDodd Channel
AAUW’s own Lisa Maatz appears in Sen. Chris Dodd’s video of his recent speech in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act. The senator’s office organized the press conference along with the offices of Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Rep. Rosa DeLauro and invited AAUW in recognition of our persistent advocacy for pay equity.
Learn more: http://www.aauw.org/About/newsroom/pressreleases/PFApressconf_052109.cfm.
Court Rules Old Maternity Leave Doesn't Count Toward Pension
(Monday, May 18) Associated Press
Women who took maternity leave before it became illegal to discriminate against pregnant women can't sue to get their leave time to count for their pensions, according to a Supreme Court ruling. The decision could affect thousands of women upon their retirement.
Learn more: http://blog-aauw.org/2009/05/18/court-rules-the-pregnancy-discrimination-act-is-not-retroactive/.
AAUW Urges N.D. Senators to Approve the Paycheck Fairness Act
(Sunday, May 17) Grand Forks Herald
AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman co-authors an op-ed, which urges North Dakota senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad to support the Paycheck Fairness Act. Hallman and Collen Reuter, past co-state president of AAUW North Dakota, said the legislation isn’t just a matter of simple fairness but also represents "smart economic policy."
Best Pick for High Court Would Be Working Mother
(Sunday, May 17) The Hartford Courant
In her argument about why a working mother would be the best choice for the Supreme Court, a Stamford, Conn., lawyer cites AAUW’s Behind the Pay Gap report and says that a working mother would have invaluable insight into the very real challenges women currently face. In related note, former AAUW members Diane Pamela Wood and Janet Napolitano are both on the short list for the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy.
May 15
AAUW Supports Efforts to Educate Women about Bone Health
WebMD (Thursday, May 14)
AAUW has endorsed a national campaign to educate the public about the importance of bone health — an issue that concerns our membership and women in general. Organized by the Know My Bones Council, the campaign has received significant press coverage. For more information, visit Know My Bones.
In a related note, AAUW’s affinity partner ActiveForever is a leading source of life-enhancing products that address physical disabilities, injuries, or pain. Visit www.activeforever.com and enter AAUW under donor code for an additional 5 percent discount.
AAUW Mentioned in Blog about NASA’s Jill McGuire
Feminist Majority Foundation Choices Campus Blog (Tuesday, May 12)
A blogger writing about NASA’s Jill McGuire mentioned our work in the STEM fields and thanked AAUW’s Nicole Callahan for providing fantastic information to help tell the story.
AAUW Member Leaders Cite Where the Girls Are in Letter to the Editor
The New Mexican (Friday, May 8)
In response to a writer who asked if there was any concern about boys failing to make it through school, AAUW members from Santa Fe cited Where the Girls Are. They said the results show that boys who stay in school are doing slightly better on standardized tests than girls are and that the true crisis revolves around income, not gender.
AAUW Applauds House Passage of Hate Crimes Prevention Act
New York Times (Thursday, April 30)
AAUW members once again made a difference in Washington and around the country by supporting the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a 249-175 vote. AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman called it a "strong statement against the bias-motivated crimes that can destroy communities." Read more.
Not Moving On Up: Why Women Get Stuck at Associate Professor
The Chronicle of Higher Education (Monday, April 27)
Lisa Maatz, AAUW's director of government relations and public policy, was quoted in an article about why English and foreign-language departments routinely promote male associate professors to full professors faster than they promote women. Maatz said that "policies that get us to equity" must continue.
AAUW Branch Celebrates 100 Years
Richmond Times Dispatch (Saturday, April 25)
During the AAUW of Virginia state convention, AAUW members took time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Richmond branch. Special guests included Richmond Times Dispatch Publisher Thomas A. Silvestri and AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman.
April 17
AAUW Receives Great Press in Puerto Rico Thanks to Executive Director’s Visit
(Friday, April 17) El Nuevo Dia
Linda D. Hallman, CAE, appeared on a panel about the women's movement in Puerto Rico and spoke with a number of journalists, including one from El Nuevo Dia newspaper, which featured a story about the widespread problem of pay inequity.
To read more about the wage gap, visit: http://blog-aauw.org/2009/04/15/the-wage-gap-a-taxing-problem/.
AAUW Public Policy Director Talks Title IX on the Dave Ross Show
(Tuesday, April 14) KIRO FM
Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations, was a guest on the Dave Ross Show, a news/talk program broadcasting out of Seattle, WA. She spoke about our efforts to increase the number of women and girls in the STEM fields and how Title IX can be used to break down barriers. To listen to the interview, go to April 14 from the link above and download the 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. segment.
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear AAUW-Supported Case April 22
(Thursday, April 16) Scotusblog
AAUW signed an amicus brief supporting the defendants in Ricci v. DeStefano demanding that employers comply with Title VII and eliminate sex-based barriers in employment.
Book Tells of Female U.S. Soldiers Raped by Comrades
(Thursday, April 16) Reuters
“The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq,” recounts the stories of female veterans who served in combat zones and tells of rape, sexual assault and harassment by male counterparts. AAUW is co-sponsoring an event called “Military and Sexual Assault: A Discussion of Experience, Prevention and Legislative Updates,” in Washington, DC, on April 29. Learn more about this event.
April 10
AAUW Posts New Resources for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Wowowow.com (Thursday, April 9)
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is meant to help victims, bring attention to these crimes, and prevent future crimes. AAUW is co-sponsoring an event called "Military and Sexual Assault: A Discussion of Experience, Prevention, and Legislative Updates," at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on April 29. Read more.
AAUW Branch President from Mass. Opines about Equal Pay Day
Cape Cod Times (Wednesday, April 8)
Greta Tomic, the president of the AAUW Cape Cod (MA) Branch, authored a powerful letter to the editor that urges both women and men to observe Equal Pay Day. "Studies have shown that men almost always negotiate, but women often accept the first offer," Tomic wrote. Read more.
Title IX’s Inspiring, Significant Impact on Women
Women’s E-News (Monday, April 6)
The establishment of the White House Council on Women and Girls offers a great opportunity to push for a broader application and implementation of Title IX, which has been called the most important piece of legislation for women since the right to vote. AAUW remains committed to strengthening the landmark legislation, despite ongoing efforts aimed at weakening it. Read more.
AAUW’s $tart $mart Campus Negotiation Workshops Get Media Mention
Richmond Times-Dispatch (Sunday, April 5)
An article about the wage gap mentioned AAUW’s efforts to teach college women negotiating skills through the $tart $mart Campus Negotiation Workshops and featured a quote from the AAUW Ashland (VA) Branch co-chair, Laura Wimmer. She said, "Career choice and path in life is not all about the money, but when you do the same job, you should get the same pay." Read more.
April 3
Marie Claire Quotes AAUW in Article about Salaries
Marie Claire (April 2009)
The magazine, which has a readership of nearly one million, turned to AAUW to determine how long it would take to reach pay equity in an article titled, "Salary Report: We’re Still Getting Shortchanged." AAUW's research department did the calculation. If salaries continue to increase at the current rate, pay equity would be reached in 2040.
AAUW Member Says Ledbetter Law Just One Step Toward Fair Pay
The Poughkeepsie Journal (Thursday, March 26, 2009)
The public policy chair for the executive board of the AAUW Poughkeepsie (NY) Branch talks about the importance of passing the Paycheck Fairness Act in an op-ed that focuses on Women’s History Month and Equal Pay Day.
Patsy Mink to be Remembered at Upcoming AAUW Convention
Hawaii Reporter (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)
AAUW will proudly present a screening of Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority, during the 2009 AAUW National Convention: Breaking through Barriers on Friday, June 26, from noon–1:15 p.m. In a recent interview, the filmmaker called Mink a "true public servant." To read more, visit http://blog-aauw.org/2009/03/26/patsy-mink.
It’s Thumbs Up for AAUW
Women's eNews (Saturday, March 21, 2009)
AAUW and the WAGE project were mentioned in the "more news to cheer" category for offering career workshops that will help young women learn how to negotiate fair salaries and equal pay. Read more about this new partnership.
March 20
AAUW Blog Post Responds to Criticism on White House Council on Women and Girls
Daily News-Record (Friday, March 20)
The "Counsel on the Council" blog post addresses criticism raised by a syndicated columnist, who essentially calls the new White House Council on Women and Girls unnecessary. Simply put, Kathleen Parker is wrong.
Website Celebrates Famed Scientist who Benefitted from AAUW’s Support
wowOwow.com (Thursday, March 19)
Marie Curie, who received more than $150,000 from AAUW members toward the purchase of one gram of radium leading to her scientific breakthrough, is among the women featured in wowOwow’s photo essay of “9 Women Inventors Who Changed the World,” compiled with input from Susan Casey, author of Women Invent!: Two Centuries of Discoveries That Have Shaped Our World. To learn more, visit the AAUW Women's History Month site.
To purchase the book, visit Barnes and Noble.com.
Sexual Assault Permeates U.S. Armed Forces
CBS News (Tuesday, March 17)
The Pentagon released a disturbing report on sexual abuse in the military, saying that more than 2,900 sexual assaults were reported last year, up nearly 9 percent from the year before. The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) combats sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace.
AAUW Among the Groups Working to Empower Women as Future Political Leaders
Washington Post (Sunday, March 15)
At the rate we’re going, it could take 100 years for women to achieve equal representation in Congress. The Washington Post takes a look at efforts to train women for political career and at the White House Project in particular. To read about AAUW’s partnership with American University Women & Politics Institute and Running Start, visit: http://blog-aauw.org/2009/03/18/campaign-college-and-the-rajincajuns/.
March 13
AAUW Spokeswoman Goes on Radio, Shows AAUW’s Breadth
AAUW Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Lisa Maatz got out AAUW's message on the radio airwaves this week. On March 9, Maatz talked about school vouchers on the "Culture Shocks" radio program. On March 12, she spoke about the newly created White House Council on Women and Girls and other women’s issues on Wisconsin Public Radio.
» Hear the "Culture Shocks" interview
» Hear the Wisconsin Public Radio interview
AAUW Executive Director Applauds Formation of Council on Women and Girls
AAUW’s Linda Hallman was among the notables at the White House this week for President Obama’s signing of an executive order to create a White House Council on Women and Girls. The office was a key AAUW transition recommendation and Hallman’s quote praising the new office appeared in: The Boston Globe , The Examiner , Care2.com, Quote.com.
» To read more, visit: http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/03/obama_signed_order_creating_co.html
AAUW Salutes Five Women Who Are Changing the World
Weekly Reader (Friday, March 13)
Danica Patrick, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Peggy Whitson and Ann Dunwoody were highlighted in an article about women who achieved significant firsts. The article also included a quote from AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman on what these women’s achievements mean to us all. Celebrate Women’s History Month with AAUW.
AAUW Member Talks about Gains but Says Our Fight Continues
St. Petersburg Times (Thursday, March 5)
In a letter to the editor, AAUW member Margaret Hyde of Clearwater, FL, talks about Women's History Month and the importance of AAUW "I would like to think that AAUW played a big part in the number of girls running for office, providing leadership in high school programs and the fact that more girls attend college now than boys," Hyde writes.
On International Women’s Day, AAUW Helped to Make a Powerful Noise
Huffington Post (Tuesday, March 3)
On March 5, the documentary film, A Powerful Noise, was shown simultaneously in 450 theaters across America. AAUW branches across the United States participated in the event. One commentator on AAUW’s Dialog blog called the film "a shocking reminder for me of the power of education."
AAUW Grant Goes a Long Way at Shenandoah University
The Winchester Star (Monday, March 2)
An AAUW Campus Action Project grant is helping single moms at Shenandoah University. The grant is funding a program called "Empowering Moms, Empowering Minds: Single Moms and College Success."
