Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03/17/2011
Contact:
Katie Broendel, broendelk@aauw.org
202/785-7761
Lisa Goodnight, goodnightl@aauw.org
202/785-7738
AAUW Outlines Priorities, Recommendations with New Federal Policy Agenda
Top policy goals include fair pay and educational and workplace opportunities
WASHINGTON – The American Association of University Women (AAUW) today released its 2011–12 federal policy agenda, a comprehensive set of goals aimed at improving equity for women and girls. The priorities for the next two years will address the breadth of issues from AAUW's member-endorsed Public Policy Program while focusing on closing the persistent gender pay gap, expanding workplace and educational opportunities for women and girls, and ensuring civil rights.
The entire policy agenda is available on the AAUW website.
"Women make such crucial contributions to their families and communities," said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "But the simple truth is that our contributions are often undervalued and underpaid. Given the nation's ongoing economic struggles, there is no better time to capitalize on the unique strengths of women as workers and caregivers. Investing in women is smart economics as we are the critical drivers of the country's financial recovery."
"Voters generally remain concerned first and foremost with the economy and job creation, and women are clear about these priorities as well. Women make up more than half the workforce, and, as such, are an important part of the 21st-century economy," said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "AAUW's agenda reflects women's key roles and advocates for improvements that will benefit the nation as a whole. All American workers must have an opportunity to provide for their families, so our priorities include fair pay, job training, higher education, and other ways to jump start the innovation economy."
Some of the highlights from AAUW's 2011–12 federal policy agenda include
Expanding educational opportunities: AAUW will work to ensure that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is reauthorized, the achievement gap is addressed, and access to higher education is increased. Once in the workforce, workers looking to retool and retrain must be able to affordably access the training they need, without the barrier of occupational segregation. AAUW also supports strengthening both Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and education in science, technology, engineering, and math — areas crucial to American competitiveness — especially for women and other underrepresented populations.
Promoting economic security: As pay inequities undermine the economic security of families, AAUW will continue to urge the passage of appropriate measures and regulations that address the pay gap. AAUW also supports policies that promote work-life balance, improve retirement security, and implement the legal advances made in health care security for women.
Ensuring civil rights: AAUW's policy priorities include continued attention to judicial and executive branch nominations; ensuring civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning Americans; reauthorizing the Violence against Women Act; and protecting women's reproductive health services.
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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation’s leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 600 college/university institutional partners. Since AAUW's founding 130 years ago, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW's commitment to educational equity is reflected in its public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections.
