Happy New Year! First, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to AAUW’s year-end giving campaign. Your generous donations far exceeded our matching gift of $57,000 from AAUW’s board, volunteers and staff!
Your support will go to work right away. We’re already busy planning our first major in-person student event in three years, the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). And we’ve launched an innovative pilot research program that harnesses the expertise of alumnae from our illustrious fellowships and grants programs.
Our advocacy work is also in full swing. I was elated to see our collective activism pay off when the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act became law last month. And I’m heartened by the progress we’ve made toward addressing student debt and electing more diverse women leaders.
But this is only the beginning. As I noted in my recent Ms. article, we must keep the pressure on to advance to the middle and endpoint—equity for all. Because of you, we can, and we WILL.
In solidarity,
Gloria L. Blackwell
Chief Executive Officer
IN FOCUS
MEMBERSHIP
AAUW Election: Comment Period Open
Starting this week, AAUW members will have the opportunity to comment on and propose changes to the AAUW bylaws and Public Policy Priorities before they’re put up for a member vote in the spring. Don’t miss this chance to weigh-in on the equity issues that matter most to you! The comment period will remain open through Friday, January 27, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Visit AAUW’s National Election page for more information.
Calling All Artists
AAUW’s 14th annual art contest is under way, and we invite AAUW members to submit a high-res image of their original painting, photography, sculpture, collage or other artwork. Submissions will be accepted through January 31. Your work could be among the winning entries, which we’ll feature on notecards sent to all members this spring!
LEADERSHIP
NCCWSL 2023: Early Bird Registration Is Open
Registration is open for the 2023 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), which takes place May 31–June 3, 2023, at the University of Maryland, College Park. Act now to secure early-bird rates! NCCWSL is the premier conference for elevating leadership, advocacy and equity for college women. This year, we’re offering an engaging half-day STEM workshop designed to inform and inspire students across majors. Spread the word!
ECONOMIC SECURITY
Big Win for Pregnant Workers!
We were thrilled to end 2022 with a major policy win! Thanks to your relentless advocacy, Congress passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) late last year, and President Biden signed it into law on December 29. This momentous victory will enable millions of workers to earn a living without compromising their health or pregnancies.
New Pay-Gap Analysis Highlights Disturbing Trends
In December, AAUW published the most recent update to the Simple Truth, our signature report on the gender pay gap. The analysis shed light on the devastating effect of the pandemic on women’s economic security. It found that, in 2021, all women workers (including those in full- and part-time roles) took home only 77 cents for every dollar all men workers did. In addition, more women than men worked part-time (59% vs 41%), positions that earn less per hour and have reduced access to family-friendly benefits like paid leave.
NEWS & NOTES
Power Partnership: AAUW & Ms.
This year, Ms. celebrates 50 years as a groundbreaking feminist magazine. And AAUW has been the premier organization advancing gender equity for 141 years. Over our long and overlapping histories, both AAUW and Ms. have sparked new laws and ushered in social movements. Now, as part of a special partnership, we’re pleased to offer AAUW members a free, one-year subscription to Ms. And everyone can access AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell’s recent Ms. article about the need to push harder for women leaders.
AAUW Partners on National Science Foundation Grant: Let’s Talk Money
Building on AAUW’s strong pay equity and salary-negotiation research and programs, AAUW has a five-year partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology and Aspire/The Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). Let’s Talk Money: Building Community Understanding of the Institutional Compensation System aims to share best practices for faculty compensation to a broad community in higher education.
