Public Policy
The Public Policy Program underscores AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research, and speaks to women's needs, aspirations, and concerns across the life span.
AAUW is actively involved with a wide spectrum of public policy issues, including pending legislation and ballot measures. Members are invited to become involved in advocacy through newsletters, email alerts and web sites.
Join the AAUW Action Network click here
AAUW Public Policy Priorities
AAUW Public Policy Principles and Action Priorities adopted at the biennial AAUW conventions.
A complete list appears on their web site www.aauw.org, select Member Center (you will need a member number), then Take Action.
The current Public Policy Action Priorities cover issues that:
- Seek to guarantee equality, individual rights and social justice for a diverse society
- Support a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity
- Promote achievement of economic self-sufficiency for all women.
To become a 2-minute Activist, click on the side panel.
AAUW will send you an e-mail about pending legislation of interest, with a draft letter, which if you wish, you can use to compose your message, and they will automatically send it to your member in Congress.
California AAUW Public Policy Priorities
Public Policy Update by Sue Miller
As a newly-appointed member of the AAUW CA Public Policy Committee, I recently attended two days of meetings to develop plans for Public Policy advocacy for the next program year. The committee is led by Anne Henke, an AAUW CA Board member, and committee members are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. This is an election year, as well as one with significant issues related to AAUW’s mission focusing on equity, education and positive societal change for women and children, so I will be bringing our issues forward.
These are the major emphases in the next few months:
- Defeat of Proposition 4-if passed on the November ballot, this would require parental notification when any minor seeks an abortion, an onerous initiative. It would remove the right of young women to make their own choices regarding their reproductive lives. AAUW CA will actively oppose this initiative.
- SB1578 (Florez) – AAUW CA has been invited to work with Senator Florez, to modify his bill that would create an enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance with Title IX Equity in Education.
- AB 437 (Jones) – the climate looks favorable for passage in late August. This bill would establish certain causes of action for discriminatory action. The bill mirrors the Fair Pay Act supported by the Association. We need to lobby Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the bill. More information will be in the September Branch Lines.
Key dates for your calendar:
August 23 —Third Annual California Women’s Equality Day Parade and Rally in Sacramento. Join AAUW members and others at Southside Park, 7th and T Streets at 10 am, to march to the Capitol in celebrating the anniversary of women’s right to vote. “Our Vote = Our Voice” All are encouraged to wear white. See www.womenequalityparade for more information.
October 11 — Roseville/South Placer Branch meeting focusing on the November election. Plan to attend and become informed about ballot issues and candidates for elective office.
November 15 – Deadline to submit your views on AAUW CA’s Public Policy Priorities. At the committee meeting we developed the Every Member Survey, to be included in the September Perspective that will be mailed to every AAUW member.
AAUW California's biennial public policy action priorities are chosen according to the criteria of viability, critical need, strong member support, and the potential for distinctive AAUW contribution. Implicit are support for government agencies administering programs, including adequate appropriations, effective administration, and provision for citizen participation. AAUW members work to increase the representation of women and minorities in policy-making positions.
To review California's action priorities click on the side panel.
Also, check the Branch Lines for reports on governmental issues of interest at the National, State and Local level.
Contact: Susan Miller