ST. LOUIS, MO – AAUW will host a panel discussion to educate women about sex discrimination in the workplace. The panel, entitled "Workplace Discrimination: Where Women Stand Today," will be offered Sunday, June 28, at the 2009 AAUW National Convention in St. Louis.
Lorie Jackson, a human resources professional with more than 27 years of experience, will moderate.
"We, as women, cannot sit back and wait for someone else to resolve the problems we share. Our voice and vision have been the missing piece of the equation," said Jackson. "The more active we are in fighting discrimination of any kind, the tighter our bonds will be, which means we as a community — as a nation — will be stronger."
Drawing on different perspectives and areas of expertise, the speakers will include Linda Brodsky, M.D., a former professor of otolaryngology and pediatrics at the University of Buffalo; Irma Herrera, executive director of Equal Rights Advocates; and Ruth O'Brien, chair of the doctoral/master's program in political science at the Graduate Center, the City University of New York.
Brodsky, a former AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund-supported plaintiff, became an advocate for ending workplace discrimination after she was fired from her position as head of the pediatric otolaryngology department after 20 years of service when she complained about sex discrimination in her workplace.
"Without support from the AAUW, I would not have been able to sustain myself through my nearly ten-year legal battle, and I certainly could not have transformed into the advocate for gender equality in the workplace that I am today," Brodsky said. "AAUW's ongoing commitment to the advancement of women across our society gives me hope that our individual struggles will soon be eclipsed by our collective triumphs. I am honored to be a panel participant and look forward to exchanging ideas with other women at the convention."
Since 1996, Herrera has served as executive director of Equal Rights Advocates, a civil rights organization dedicated to advancing equal opportunity for women and girls through impact litigation and advocacy.
"America's working women continue facing considerable barriers, from Wal-Mart to Wall Street. Our pay continues to be smaller, and our advancement opportunities are not on par with our interests or proven capabilities," said Herrera. "I am glad to be part of AAUW's discussions about how the organization can support women who seek enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. We share a steadfast commitment to seeing women achieve to our highest potential."
O'Brien edited Telling Stories Out of Court: Narratives about Women and Workplace Discrimination.
"This book contains stories that convey how it feels for women today to face discrimination at work. It shows us that the battle against discrimination is not over," O'Brien said. "I'm delighted to be participating in an AAUW convention panel that covers a vital part of our economic recovery — workplace discrimination."
