AAUW Statement on Creation of Gender Policy Council

CEO Kim Churches issued the following statement:

AAUW is thrilled to learn that the Biden-Harris Administration has created a White House Gender Policy Council, a team charged with implementing ‘a government-wide focus on uplifting the rights of girls and women in the United States and around the world, restoring America as a champion for women and girls.’

We are even more delighted that the Council will be co-chaired by Jennifer Klein, chief strategy and policy officer at TIME’S UP, and Julissa Reynoso, the incoming assistant to the president and chief of staff to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Both women have broad and deep experience fighting for gender equity, and we know they have the wisdom, experience and right-minded approach to advance women’s equity.

The task they face is formidable: The pandemic has been devastating for women of color and crushing for women in general. Despite making up the majority of the nation’s essential workers, women have disproportionately suffered from our country’s inadequate response to the COVID-19 crisis, losing more jobs and taking on family responsibilities that drove many out of the labor force. The road to recovery will be long, but with this Council guiding the way in an intentional, coordinated fashion, we are confident we’ll be swiftly traveling in the right direction.

Throughout its nearly 140-year history, AAUW has worked with our nation’s leaders and policymakers to amplify women’s voices and to advocate for the educational advancement and economic security for women and girls. We stand ready to work with the new administration’s Gender Policy Council to ensure that racial and gender equity remain front and center as the new administration moves forward.