Public Policy
The AAUW Public Policy Program 2007-2009
Since AAUW’s founding 125 years ago, women have made great strides toward achieving equality of opportunity, and the American Association of University Women has long been a key catalyst for such change. Despite gains made in the areas of civil rights, economic security, and education, there is still unfinished business–because equity is still an issue. Women and girls continue to face discrimination in many areas of life. Women who work full time earn about 77 cents for every dollar men earn. The gender gap persists, from grade school through employment. Girls still struggle to compete in math and science, and college-educated women earn only 29.1 percent of bachelor's degrees in mathematics and computer science (down from 39.3 percent in 1984) In addition, women tend to be overwhelmingly clustered in low-wage, low-skill fields, and women make up less than 25 percent of workers in high-wage, high-skill fields.
AAUW members recognize and are proud of the important gains women have made and remain steadfast in the commitment to creating a level playing field for all women and girls. In this spirit, AAUW’s public policy agenda for the 110th Congress built upon more than a century of advocacy by AAUW members at the local, state, national and international level. In the 110th Congress, AAUW worked to:
- Expand Educational Opportunities for Women and Girls
- A. No Child Left Behind Reauthorization
- B. Higher Education Act Reauthorization
- C. Oppose Voucher Programs
- D. Preserve and Enforce Title IX
- Promote Women’s Economic Security
- A. Equity in the Workplace Pay Equity, Paid Sick Days, Family and Medical Leave
- B. Preserving the Integrity of Social Security
- Promote and Defend Civil Rights
- A. A Fair and Balanced Judiciary
- B. Improving Hate Crimes Laws
- C. Protecting Reproductive Rights
How did your congress members vote? The 110th Congressional Voting Record is available from your Branch. Contact Public Policy Chair Sharon O’Hara at oharashar@gmail.com for a copy.
This voting record provides information about how senators and representatives voted on AAUW’s issues including education, economic security, civil rights, and budget and appropriations. AAUW members have a long history of lobbying Congress and holding their legislators accountable for how they vote on AAUW priority issues.
For more information from the national AAUW office call 800/326-AAUW (2289) or e-mail votered@aauw.org.