Updated June 24, 2009
On Tuesday, the House passed (voice vote) a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). S. 614, which unanimously passed the Senate in May, was authored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and would authorize the creation of a gold medal to commemorate the service of the first women to fly planes for the United States Military. Women who chose to fly airplanes for the United States, beginning in World War II, were denied military status, often killed in the line of duty, and flown back to their families without funeral expense payments, gold stars, or American flags on their coffins. Their service has been commemorated in the Smithsonian and in national, state, and local flight and Air Force museums, and has now been officially recognized by U.S. Congress.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for June 19, 2009.
The Center for American Progress released a report this week that highlighted the large generational rift in cultural values between "millennials" aged 18-29 and the American population over the age of 30. Those surveyed were asked a variety of questions concerning their social, political, cultural, and issue-specific values, beliefs, and ideologies. While Americans over 30 rate "liberty" and "justice" as the two most important political values, 48 percent of young people said "opportunity" and 41 percent picked "equality." The report also concluded that millennials take race and gender equality as givens and generally display little interest in fighting over the divisive social issues of the past.
The most important millennial issues, the report found, are socio-cultural ones, excellent news for women's and civil rights organizations like AAUW looking to attract new members and effect positive social change for women and underrepresented minorities. To find out more about how millennial ideology matches up to AAUW policy, read our 2009-2010 Federal Policy Agenda.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for May 22, 2009.
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will sign an executive order creating a White House Council on Women and Girls at an East Room ceremony this afternoon. The new office was a high-priority recommendation from AAUW to the presidential transition team.
"AAUW is delighted that President Obama has decided to formally give women and girls a seat at the White House table," said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE, who will attend the White House signing ceremony. "The council will help ensure that the unique issues and challenges facing women and girls continue to be at the forefront of the administration's policies and priorities."
The formation of the White House Council on Women and Girls was spurred on by AAUW's leadership to reestablish critical women's programs in the executive branch. In December, AAUW spearheaded a letter to the Obama transition team requesting that the new administration restore and strengthen all offices that in past administrations have played a fundamental role in protecting and advancing women's issues and opportunities.
"The creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls is the first and most critical step in fulfilling the recommendations made in the AAUW letter, which was signed by more than 40 organizations committed to women's rights," Hallman said.
"Today's executive order is a victory not only for AAUW but for the millions of women and girls who once again have a pipeline directly into the White House," said Lisa M. Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "President Obama has demonstrated that he shares our commitment to women and girls through such actions as signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law and repealing the global gag rule. The action today builds on those early successes and will pave the way for further opportunities to advance AAUW's mission for women and girls."
The White House Council on Women and Girls will be chaired by Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, while Office of Public Liaison Director Tina Tchen will be the council's executive director. It will be comprised of senior-level administration and executive branch officials, including top Cabinet-level staff. The council will begin its work by asking federal agencies to analyze their current status with respect to internal and external focus on women. It will then undertake a variety of initiatives designed to promote interagency collaboration and a coordinated federal response in addressing critical issues facing women and their families, and further policy initiatives to advance gender equity.
Maatz noted that previous entities that existed during the Clinton administration, such as the White House Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach and the President's InterAgency Council on Women, performed similar functions and were successful in their efforts but then were disbanded by President George W. Bush.
"President Obama is sending a strong signal by providing this platform for the development and implementation of new ideas. We look forward to working with the council to cement the gains we've made and to continue to make real progress for women and girls," said Maatz.
Read AAUW's 2009-10 federal public policy agenda.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for March 11, 2009.
The 111th Congress convened on Tuesday. A record number of 95 women serve in the 111th Congress: 78 in the House (61 Democrats, 17 Republicans), 17 in the Senate (13 Democrats, 4 Republicans). In the House, the Democrats gained 21 seats to currently hold 256 seats, while the Republicans hold 178. There is one vacant House seat, following the Jan. 2 resignation of soon-to-be White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel (D-IL). Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) is expected to resign to become the new Secretary of Labor. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was easily reelected to the Speaker of the House position Tuesday, and Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and John Boehner (R-OH) will resume their roles as House Majority Leader and Minority Leader, respectively.
In the Senate, 55 Democrats, two Independents who caucus with the Democrats, and 41 Republicans were sworn in. Two open seats still exist, as Roland Burris (D-IL) was denied from taking the Illinois seat formerly held by President-elect Obama, and Norm Coleman (R-MN) vowed a court battle after the Minnesota State Canvassing Board certified results showing Al Franken (R-MN) the winner of the recount. In addition, Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden (D-DE), Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and Interior Secretary-designate Ken Salazar (D-CO) are all expected to resign soon. In other changes on Capitol Hill, Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) announced that he will not seek reelection in 2010. For more information on the makeup of the new Congress, see the Congressional Research Service’s Membership of the 111th Congress: A Profile.
On Thursday, both chambers of Congress met in a joint session to count the Electoral College votes for president and vice president, officially and finally declaring Barack Obama (D-IL) and Joe Biden (D-DE) the next president and vice president of the U.S. The Obama-Biden ticket received 365 votes to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Gov. Sarah Palin’s (R-AK) 173 votes.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for January 9, 2009.
In addition to the record number of 95 women serving in the 111th Congress, women legislators have reached another milestone. Women in Government Relations noted that Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) will make history as the first pair of women to lead a full committee in the House or Senate. In the 111th Congress, Sen. Landrieu will become chair and Sen. Snowe will become the ranking member of the Senate's Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Landrieu and Snowe plan to promote the interests of women-owned small businesses in their new leadership roles.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for January 9, 2009.
Thank you for playing an integral role in AAUW's success in moving our shared mission forward this year. Your vocal advocacy and financial support, along with that of tens of thousands of others in our nationwide network of e-activists, has helped AAUW influence public policy issues throughout 2008. AAUW remains uniquely positioned to be a strong voice for you in the changing halls of power. As educated women and men, we don't simply hope for the change we want; we make it happen, and your contribution today will supercharge our efforts to break through barriers for women and girls tomorrow.
The growing power and reach of Action Network can claim some impressive achievements. Just consider that over the past year, together, we have:
In the past year, together, AAUW has made great progress on higher education, fair pay and a host of other issues - we have made our voices heard. But the work is not done; we must not lose our momentum, and we must seize the opportunity at hand. These tough economic times are a challenge to all of us, but they can be especially devastating to women because of harassment, discrimination, unfair wages, and more.
- from AAUW's Action Network for December 22, 2007.
On Thursday, the AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps hosted an open house to attract and welcome new members and to begin their work of preparing for the new Congress. The agenda covered AAUW’s legislative successes in the 110th Congress, Lobby Corps’ impact on those successes, how the work of Lobby Corps is coordinated with AAUW’s other grassroots work, and opportunities for AAUW and Lobby Corp in the 111th Congress. Every Thursday morning Congress is in session — about 30 Thursdays a year — the volunteer members of Lobby Corps are briefed on that week’s priority and then proceed to targeted congressional offices to educate policy-makers and give AAUW a voice and a face on Capitol Hill. Members make more than 1,800 visits each session, reporting back to AAUW staff helpful information for follow-up and grassroots advocacy. Lobby Corps is an invaluable part of the AAUW government relations team. AAUW members, as well as college students who study in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, are welcome to join the Lobby Corps. No experience or expertise is necessary—only a commitment to promoting equity and education. To join or learn more, contact Anne Hedgepeth at 202/785-7724. Several AAUW states have similar programs targeting their state legislatures.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for November 8, 2007.
Sweeping changes to AAUW’s organizational structure were approved on Sunday, July 1 at the National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. Passed by a unanimous vote, the dramatic changes will move the organization forward.
The largest alteration is structural in nature—AAUW and the AAUW Educational Foundation will combine most their assets and programs to work effectively around a single mission. There will be one board of directors for this new conglomeration. Between now and 2009, a transitional board of directors will oversee the changeover. AAUW will be better positioned to proceed in a sustainable and successful way.
In other changes, online balloting was approved realizing a “one member, one vote” system for future elections. Maximum terms for elected officials, new procedures for filling vacancies, a new audit committee and restructured nominating committee also comprised the bylaw changes. Finally, all references to the International Federation of University Women have been struck from the bylaws except for the acknowledgement of international reciprocity.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for July 6, 2007.
Briefings and talking points on priority legislation are now available online for AAUW members. These materials, which are also provided each week to members of the AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps, are being posted on the website to give AAUW leaders and activists everywhere the information they need to lobby their members of Congress from their home districts. The synergy created when members of Congress hear consistent messages from their constituents and AAUW's representatives in Washington can be very powerful.
To find these informative briefings, go to the AAUW website and select "Lobby Corps" from the drop-down menu. These briefings are a members-only service-another example of the benefits of belonging to AAUW!
- from AAUW's Action Alert for March-April 2007
On March 3, digital images of artifacts used throughout the campaign to enfranchise women via the 19th Amendment went online. On display are images that reveal the struggle for voting rights often glossed over in U.S. history books. Hand-sewn banners used to picket the White House, Congressional score cards used to lobby members of Congress, original political cartoons challenging the reigning patriarchal establishment, suffrage newsletters that circulated the country, and black and white photographs of the women who fought for voting rights are all features of this online museum. The Sewall-Belmont House and Museum houses the artifacts.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for March 31, 2006