October 30
AAUW Executive Director Addresses National Science Foundation Committee
AAUW Newsroom (Thursday, October 22)
On October 26, AAUW Executive Director Linda Hallman, CAE, made a presentation to the National Science Foundation's Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering on the many ways that AAUW supports promoting and strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for women and girls. Hallman summarized AAUW's comprehensive approach, with an emphasis on providing graduate fellowships and grants, publishing and disseminating research findings, offering nationwide grassroots STEM programming, and advocating for public policies that advance opportunities for women and girls in STEM.
AAUW Research Frames Discussion about A Women's Nation on MSNBC Segment
Morning Joe (Wednesday, October 21)
AAUW research findings were prominently featured in a recent segment on MSNBC's Morning Joe about women in the workplace, part of a series of discussions prompted by A Woman's Nation. Host Joe Scarborough began by discussing charts illustrating AAUW data on the pay gap. He said, "One study found that a year out of college, women earn only 80 percent of what men make in comparable jobs, and, if you have a daughter like me, that bothers you." Visit AAUW's website to learn more about our efforts to close the wage gap.
AAUW Responds to A Woman's Nation, Bloggers Take Notice
AAUW Newsroom (Thursday, October 16)
AAUW took the lead on providing policy recommendations to complement The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything, a report from Maria Shriver and the Center for American Progress thathighlights the rise of women in the workforce. AAUW's policy recommendations are featured in RHRealityCheck.org and TriangleMom2Mom. AAUW blog posts on A Woman's Nation were highlighted on About.com's Women's Issues blog, and the report and our recommendations were promoted on Twitter. The report was co-authored by leading economist and former AAUW Fellow Heather Boushey.
AAUW Member Shares 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine in Banner Year for Women
The Washington Post (Monday, October 19)
AAUW member Carol Greider, who holds a chair at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, won the Nobel Medicine Prize in Medicine, along with Elizabeth Blackburn and Jack Szostak. They were honored for discovering a key mechanism in the genetic operations of cells, an insight that inspired new lines of research into cancer. This year, a record five women were honored by the Nobel committees. In total, only 40 women, including Marie Curie whose groundbreaking research on radium was supported by AAUW, have been named Nobel laureates. More than 800 individual awards have been bestowed since 1901.
AAUW Fellowship Alumna Featured in Newsweek Offers Tips on How to Handle Online Bullying
Newsweek (Thursday, October 22)
In a recent Newsweek column, Rosalind Wiseman, former AAUW fellow and bestselling author of the ground-breaking Queen Bees and Wannabes, offers tips for parents on how to guide teenagers through the social storms of adolescence. Thanks to apartnership with Wiseman, AAUW members can join one of her upcoming webinars on trends of kids and teens at a 15 percent discount. "Is It Starting Earlier? Addressing Social and Physical Aggression In Younger Children," starts at 8 p.m. EST on Wednesday, November 18. For more information, visit the Member Benefits section of the AAUW website.
The webinar registration fees include a copy of the newly updated edition of Queen Bees and Wannabes. For more savings, shop at www.bn.com/aauw to get an additional 5 percent off of books, music, and DVDs.
National Women's Magazine Turns to AAUW for Answers on Important Salary Question
Glamour (October 2009 issue, page 253)
AAUW Executive Director Linda Hallman weighs in on that important question: "Should you tell co-workers how much you make?" Yes, she says, because working women should know if they are being fairly — or unfairly — compensated. To learn more about AAUW's pay equity efforts, visit the AAUW website.
AAUW Spokane (WA) Branch Turns 100
The Spokesman-Review (Saturday, October 10)
AAUW President Carolyn H. Garfein a guest speaker at the 100th anniversary celebration of the AAUW Spokane (WA) Branch. The branch has a long history of tackling controversial issues. In its first year, branch members worked on electing a woman to the school board, the need for a matron in the city jail, and the injustice of child labor.
AAUW Branches Honor Eleanor Roosevelt on Her 125th Birthday
Chicago Tribune (Friday, October 9)
AAUW members in Huntley, Illinois, commemorated the 125th anniversary of Eleanor Roosevelt's birthday by holding a fundraiser in support of education, research, and legislative work on behalf of women, while the AAUW Arcadia (CA) Branch invited a well-known performer to play Eleanor Roosevelt at a recent meeting. To read more about Roosevelt and her influence on women, read our recent AAUW Dialog post.
AAUW Report Cited in Story about an Increase in Sexual Harassment in Tucson Schools
Associated Press (Sunday, October 4)
The AAUW report, Hostile Hallways, was cited in an Associated Press story about problems in Tucson schools. The report found that 83 percent of girls reported experiencing sexual harassment in their public schools, with 30 percent describing such behaviors as happening "often." The article noted that the AAUW report and other research offer "a glimpse into a world in which teens are blowing past the bounds of appropriate interaction."
AAUW Executive Director Says "It's Time to Draw the Line on Tucker Max"
The Washington Post (Saturday, September 26)
Tucker Max, the blogger and author turned movie creator, who has generated a storm of controversy for his jokes about sexual violence, reportedly has a large female fan base. In her letter to the editor of The Washington Post, AAUW's Linda Hallman writes, "The real question is not only why women are entertained by Mr. Max, but also why some campuses give tacit approval by screening this movie," given the fact that one in six women will be raped. To join in on the conversation, visit the AAUW blog.
September 11
AAUW Reacts to Wage Gap Data in the New U.S. Census Report
The Gouverneur Times (Friday, September 11)
In 2007, the average woman made almost 78 cents for each dollar earned by her male counterpart. According to newly released 2008 figures, that number now stands at just over 77 cents for each dollar earned by a man — which the U.S. Census Bureau reports as "statistically unchanged." Lisa Maatz, AAUW’s top policy adviser, said: "Given the tough economic times, some might say that women should be satisfied that the gap didn't widen. However, given that the wage gap has been stagnant over the past decade – in good times and bad – AAUW sees this as a time for action." Read more in the AAUW Newsroom.
AAUW Joins Call for Fair and Honest Debate on Public Policy Issues
Heartland of Virginia (Thursday, September 10)
AAUW's comments about the recent congressional letter fraud have been picked by several media outlets, including the Charlottesville Daily Progress, earth-stream.com and Roll Call, following last week’s press conference featuring AAUW Executive Director Linda Hallman and leaders from other national advocacy groups concerned about "Astroturfing," a term applied to efforts that seek to create the impression of being spontaneous "grassroots" initiatives. To further the coal industry's lobbying against the Clean Energy and Security Act, corporate lobbyists sent Congress fake letters purportedly from AAUW and other advocacy groups falsifying our stance on the legislation. To read the latest, visit AAUW's Newsroom. Hear audio from the press conference.
Online Training Course Developed To Prevent Sexual Harassment
The Gateway (Friday, September 11)
The AAUW research report, Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus, was cited in a story about online training for students and faculty to prevent sexual harassment at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In that 2006 study, AAUW found that a majority of college students experience sexual harassment on campus. To learn more, visit AAUW's Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Resources.
Women Have Come a Long Way, but Pay Inequities Remain
The Gazette (Friday, September 4)
Comparing gender-based male-female wage discrepancies in Canada and the United States, an article appearing in a Canadian publication relied heavily on AAUW's pay equity research data, emphasizing disparities that reflect persistent wage discrimination and the long- and short-term consequences of pay inequity. Learn more about Behind the Pay Gap.
AAUW: A Lot of Good Works in One Package
Suburban Chicago News (Tuesday, September 2)
The benefits of belonging to AAUW are explained in an article featuring quotes from Geri Shouba, president of the AAUW Batavia-Geneva-St. Charles (IL) Branch. Shouba said: "We would invite anybody to come in and see all the good works that are carried out with our organization. There is so much more to be done in education, health issues and career information for women."
Award Winning Columnist Addresses AAUW Lakewood (CO) branch
YourHub.com (Saturday, September 1)
Denver Post columnist Tina Griego spoke about mentoring and education at recent AAUW branch meeting in Lakewood, Colorado. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists named Griego the Frank del Olmo Print Journalist of the Year in 2006 for her work at the Rocky Mountain News, where she exposed the challenges facing Hispanic youth in the Denver-area public education system. To learn more, visit: http://www.coaauw.org/lakewood/.
August 28
Senator Ted Kennedy Leaves a Legacy of Achievement that Shaped Today's Workplace
HR News Now (Thursday, August 27)
Senator Kennedy was considered to be one of the most effective legislators of the past few decades. He was the sponsor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2008, a supporter of AAUW public policy issues, and a speaker at the 1981 AAUW convention held in Boston. To find out what members are saying about his service to the nation, visit:
http://www.aauw.org/aauwRemembersKennedy.cfm
Would You Run for Public Office?
MORE.com (August 2009)
AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman called on women to mobilize for Women's Equality Day. "Though we make up more than 50 percent of the U.S. population, we hold only 17 percent of the seats in Congress. That's staggeringly low, and I know we can do better. We need to mobilize our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and maybe even ourselves, to run for office."
Battle over Health Care Affecting Pro-Woman Changes by Obama Administration
Women's ENews (Friday, August 28)
The all-consuming battle over health care reform has put on the brakes on women's friendly initiatives. Asked to comment, AAUW's Lisa Maatz said the administration needstoreverse Bush-era changes--in 2005--to Title IX regulations, which allowed universities to determine if they were meeting the female students' interest in sports teams, in part, through e-mailed surveys.
Forged Letters Scandal Hits Home for AAUW's Jill Birdwhistell
The Daily Progress (Wednesday, August 26)
In a blatant act of fraud, corporate lobbyists forged one or more letters from AAUW to members of Congress. Jill Birdwhistell, Ph.D., AAUW's chief of strategic advancement, wrote: "I was stunned to discover that the address [Bonner & Associates] had falsified was that of Westminster Canterbury, the continuing care retirement community on Pantops. That was where my mother lived for more than a decade after she retired from the University of Virginia faculty — and where I spent the weeks with her before she died this April." To learn more, visit:
http://www.aauw.org/About/newsroom/lobbyistFraud.cfm
Health Care Discrimination against Women Must End
The News Journal (Thursday, August 27)
In a letter to the editor, the Delaware State AAUW president and state public policy chair said the final health care legislation should end the practice of gender rating, require coverage of women's reproductive health services, and ensure access to and coverage of preventive services and care.
AAUW Member Weighs in on Health Care Debate
Humboldt Beacon (Wednesday, August 26)
AAUW member Val Muchowski, in her letter to the editor, writes: "while there is no shortage of proposals for how health care reform should be achieved, [AAUW's] emphasis is not on pushing one proposal over another, but instead ensuring that whichever program ultimately emerges provides access to quality and affordable health care for all Americans."
Women's Equality Day: Some Things You Should Know
Huffington Post (Wednesday, August 26)
AAUW wage gap data is cited in a Women's Equality Day article in which Luis R. Burgos Jr., of the New York Division of Human Rights, called on all New Yorkers to work to make the concept of Women's Equality a reality.
Gender Profiling Hurts Our National Health Care
Women's Enews (Tuesday, August 25)
Linda Brodsky, M.D., aformer AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund-supported plaintiff, talked about Women's Equality Day and how about the gender gap in U.S. political representation remains wider than 26 other countries. Dr.Brodsky, pediatric otolaryngologist and advocate for gender and pay equity, also contributes to AAUW Dialog.
August 21
O's First-Ever Power List Includes 2009 AAUW Convention Speaker Lilly Ledbetter
O, the Oprah Magazine (September 2009)
The magazine highlights 20 remarkable visionaries who are flexing their muscles in business and finance, politics and justice, science and the arts. Included are Lilly Ledbetter, a friend and supporter of AAUW's pay equity efforts, and General Ann E. Dunwoody, whom AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman described as a "remarkable woman who … blazed a new trail for other distinguished women to follow."
See convention highlights »
Fake AAUW Letter about "Cap and Trade" Bill Turns Up, National Media Takes Notice
The phony AAUW letter which was sent to a Virginia congressman has now appeared in the media. "The Rachel Maddow Show" highlighted the AAUW logo taken from the fake letter, while The Washington Post provided a link to the full document. AAUW completely supports the ongoing investigation into this matter. When members of Congress hear from us, they should feel confident that they are being contacted by real people committed to the principles of our great democracy and the mission of AAUW.
Read the latest and most personal blog about the issue.
AAUW's 2007 Research Report Still Receiving Recognition
Women's eNews (Monday, August 17)
AAUW's report, Behind the Pay Gap, was referenced in an article focused on the hurdles that women still face and how groups are trying to promote gender equality in the workplace. The author writes: "despite all the advances that women have made in work force participation, younger women still face some of the same hurdles of their trailblazing older counterparts."
CyberGirlz Technology Camp Encourages Girls to get into Technology
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wednesday, August 19)
AAUW's Tech Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age report is prominently featured in an article that says the workplace environment of the 1950s seems a long way off from today's culture, and yet a large gap still remains in the ratio of girls to boys who enter technology fields. See how AAUW is supporting programs to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers.
AAUW has Come a Long Way since 1881
Abilene Reporter News (Wednesday, August 19)
The program vice president of AAUW Texas takes a look at AAUW's accomplishments through the years and invites readers to join "this great organization supporting women and girls." To learn more about the value of belonging to AAUW, visit: http://www.aauw.org/About/join/value/index.cfm
August 14
Setting the Record Straight: Update by AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman
AAUW Dialog (Friday, August 14)
AAUW has taken a strong stand against the recent congressional letter fraud that was perpetrated against us and other advocacy groups. At least one member of the House of Representatives received a blatantly forged letter in AAUW’s name as part of an effort to further the coal industry’s lobbying against the Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the cap and trade bill. An agent of Bonner & Associates manufactured a nonexistent Charlottesville AAUW Branch, used the AAUW logo, and sent at least one letter to a Virginia congressman asking him to vote against the cap and trade bill. Ironically, this is not even a policy area in which AAUW advocates. Upon gathering the facts, AAUW responded to set the record straight. We must continue to sound the alarm so that all branches are on the lookout, call attention to these unscrupulous practices, and protect our good name.
Take Action!
To urge your representative to support Rep. Edward J. Markey's (D-MA) investigation into this act of fraud, just click on the "Take Action" link in the upper right corner or copy and paste the following URL into your Internet browser. Then follow the instructions to compose and send your message. http://capwiz.com/aauw/issues/alert/?alertid=13873716
AAUW Attends White House Briefing on Women and Health Reform
Kansas City infoZine (Friday, August 14)
At the invitation of the White House, AAUW attended a briefing to discuss women and health reform, hosted by the Obama administration. AAUW believes that any health reform legislation must end the practice of gender rating, the process by which insurance companies charge men and women different premiums for individually-purchased health care plans. A recent Kansas City infoZine story called gender rating "a form of sex discrimination because it treats women as a class, rather than as individuals." Read learn more about AAUW’s position on health care.
AZ Paper Says AAUW Could Foster More Civil Health Care Discussions
The Arizona Daily Sun (Tuesday, August 11)
In an editorial urging Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick to set up a town hall meeting on health care reform, the authors wrote if she "does not want to be accused of controlling the agenda at town hall meetings and thus becoming the target of hecklers, perhaps a moderator should run the discussions. Neutral groups like the League of Women Voters and the AAUW are ideal for setting ground rules and defusing the tension that surrounds controversial issues."
AAUW Breaking through Barriers in STEM
SciGirls (Friday, August 14)
SciGirls has posted news about AAUW's latest 2009-2010 CAP topic: Breaking through Barriers in STEM for Women and Girls. AAUW plans to fund select projects that will help to increase the number of young women entering and pursuing the STEM fields.
AAUW Taking Grant Applications
The Gouverneur Times (Monday, August 10)
This story highlights how AAUW fellowships and grants have helped women and gives specific examples from the l990s, when an AAUW member won a Community Action Grant for a project to encourage girls in St. Lawrence County, New York, to study science. View AAUW's newly launched 2009-10 online Directory of Fellowship and Grant Recipients.
Tech Trek: Getting Girls into Math and Science
Sierra Sun (Monday, August 10)
Started in 1998 by California AAUW member Marie Wolback, Tech Trek is designed to stimulate interest in science, math and engineering. The camp, which started small, is now offered throughout California with more than 600 girls attending Tech Trek camps each year. See how AAUW is supporting programs to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers.
August 7
AAUW Sets the Record Straight
Two days ago, AAUW discovered that we had been victimized by fraud perpetrated by Bonner & Associates, a lobbying firm representing the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). As part of an effort to further the coal industry's lobbying efforts against the Clean Energy and Security Act (the “cap and trade” bill), the firm sent one or more falsified letters in the name of the nonexistent "Charlottesville AAUW chapter" to Capitol Hill. AAUW never lobbied on this issue at all. This campaign of deceit resulted in the misuse of AAUW's good name, along with other distinguished community-based activist groups. In a statement released Aug. 6, AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman said the "incident constitutes outright deceit and demonstrates a breathtaking lack of ethics." To read more, visit AAUW Dialog.
NOTE to state communicators: please re-post this blog. The notion that someone would portray AAUW in false light is completely outrageous, and we can’t stress that enough.
Justice Sotomayor: Newest High Court Member Makes America and N.Y. Proud
New York Daily News (Friday, August 7)
AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman called Justice Sotomayor's ascension to the Supreme Court of the United States an "historic achievement for all women." AAUW expressed support for Sotomayor last month based on her depth of legal experience, her stellar academic credentials, and her in-depth knowledge of the law. To read more, visit AAUW Dialog.
Single-Sex Classrooms 'Not the Panacea'
Pioneer Press (Saturday, August1)
AAUW Researcher Christianne Corbett responds to a July 26 article about boys falling behind academically which raised some troubling views about how best to help underperforming students. "In our view, single-sex classrooms are not the panacea that the article seemed to suggest. Disparities by race/ethnicity and family income levels are much greater than those by gender," she writes.
NOTE: Scroll down to the fourth letter to read what Corbett wrote
AAUW Awardee Continues to Garner Headlines
The Gloucester County Times (Thursday, August 6)
Wanda P. Hardy, president and founder of CreditWorthy, Inc. and this year's recipient of AAUW’s Eleanor Roosevelt Fund Award, continues to receive praise. "We're elated at (Gloucester County College) that Ms. Hardy is the Roosevelt honoree," says GCC President Russell A. Davis.
Middle School Students Receive Scholarships for Summer Science Camp
The Adobe Press (Thursday, August 6)
The Five Cities-Pismo Beach AAUW Branch recently awarded scholarships so students could attend this summer's AAUW California Tech Trek Science Camp at the University of California, Santa Barbara. AAUW supports many programs to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers, including our key partnership in the National Girls Collaborative Project for which AAUW was recently awarded a fourth year of support from the National Science Foundation.
AAUW Member Named Interim Chancellor at City Colleges of Chicago
City College of Chicago (Tuesday, August 4)
AAUW member Deidra J. Lewis has been named interim chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago. Lewis spent 32 years of in the City Colleges system and retired in 2008 as chief academic officer. She said that serving City Colleges of Chicago has always fulfilled her need to help others succeed.
