Equal Pay Day

Equal Pay Day is on Tuesday, April 20.

Did you know that :

• Women make up 50% of the US work force
• The wage gap has only closed by $.12 in 40 years
• That women earn, on average $.77 for every dollar earned by men
• Women one year out of college earn less than males in the same field with the same degree
• Women ages 66 and over are twice as likely as men to be poor

You can help by being more informed, writing a letter to your local paper and contacting your local politicians to share your views.

Half the Sky LIVE

As noted in this blog a few months ago, AAUW urges us all to participate in a special event honoring International Women's Day on March 4:  A live telecast at a theatre near you sponsored by CARE building on the powerful story told in the book Half the Sky.  Here's more sent to us from AAUW California's Director of International Advocacy, Sherry Ludwig:

As we approach International Women’s Day next month, we have a heightened sense of awareness of the ever-present issue of global domestic violence and other forms of violence against our sisters abroad.  Whether she is living in a nation of conflict or a nation at peace, the conditions in the developing world  and the cultural norms that exist allow for unique circumstances and challenges to her spirit and person. 

Despite these differences, one theme remains the same.... violence against women and the girl child.  Some of these women and girl children endure overwhelmingly horrible physical abuses and perhaps even death, which is confronted so honestly by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn in their latest book, “Half the Sky”.  It is also the theme of the CARE event to be telecast in CA on Thursday, March 4, at 7:30.  This is a one night only event and will serve as inspiration for a lifetime of service.  Click HERE for a list of theaters in your area.

I went to last year's event, which featured "A Powerful Noise" and I look forward to another insightful and empowering evening.

Southern California LAF Luncheon

We were very privileged to hear Michelle Jaureguito tell us her story of her experiences and Feather River Community College, the aftermath, the lawsuit, and mostly the undeserved devastation to her family.  Her poignant story once again made us realize the tremendous value of our LAF dollars.

Michelle got a telephone call at 2:30 AM from a student who was crying and terribly upset.  Apparently a faculty member was drunk and making unwanted advances to two girls.  Michelle called her boss and they went to investigate and eventually went to the man's home where one girl had locked herself in the bathroom and she was hysterical.   They got her calmed down and out of the bathroom and back to the dorm. 

The next day they went to see the president of the college who told them not to call the police -- she (the president) would handle things.  If they caused a problem, they would get in deep trouble.  It turned out the the faculty member was the son of a man on the college board.  They did go to the police anyway.  Later Michelle was accused of serving liquor to minors, etc.  These lies were spread throughout the community.  She and her children were harassed, her character was assaulted, she lost her home, she and her husband were divorced, she went heavily in debt.  She had to quit her job and move away.  No human being should be treated the way she was treated.  It was heart breaking to hear this story that has gone on for five years.  She is due to have a trial in August of this year.  Maybe there's light at the end of this long tunnel.

I have read about this case several times, but it doesn't compare to hearing her TELL the story.  The times when she nearly quit and then AAUW came through and saved the day and enabled her to go on.  Michelle has definitely left a mark in my heart.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Today, February 3, is National Girls and Women in Sports Day.  AAUW encourages us all to mark this day by urging our legislators to enforce Title IX in high schools.  There are two bills that would do just that:

• High School Sports Information Collection Act (S. 471)
• High School Athletics Accountability Act (H.R. 2882)

Take a moment to read about how Title IX, the federal legislation that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities, is one of the country's greatest success stories, and use AAUW's Two-Minute Activist to contact your legislators.