AAUW CA ONLINE BRANCH FORUM

AAUW Tech Trek

2012-01-20T14:08:00.000-08:00

A TECH TREK JOURNEY

Tech Trek has taken me on a journey from 2003 as a dorm mom to co-director of the camp at UC Irvine. I remember Jane Pace asking for volunteers for dorm mom in 2003. I have not looked back since then. As part of Tech Trek, you meet fantastic women who are dedicated to the idea of informing young girls of the wonders of science, technology, engineering , math (STEM), and so much more.

The journey involves: teachers who select the students, volunteers who accept and interview the girls, volunteers who stay in the dorms with the girls, the teachers and staff who dedicate time to pass on their knowledge. In the atmosphere of dorm life, the young girls learn about teamwork, about themselves. We all wonder at their enthusiasm, their knowledge and their spirit.

Besides the core classes offered, the girls rotate through evening mini-classes and go on field trips. I know all these experiences will last the girls through a lifetime. Those of us who volunteer in any way for Tech Trek walk away with a sense of achievement. We, in a small way, have been part of a movement to “bridge that gap”.

Go to the Tech Trek website for a short video presentation.

Jan Cook

The War on Women

2012-01-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

NARAL Pro-Choice America released a graphic on their blog (which you are all urged to visit and share with friends on Facebook and Twitter), illustrating how elections really matter. Many of those elected to Congress with a promise to focus on jobs and the economy wasted no time in an all-out attack on women's reproductive rights. Facts don't lie, and here's what the War on Women looked like in 2011:

To see it full-sized, visit NARAL's Blog for Choice

National Labor Relations Board Backs Workers on Joint Arbitration Cases

2012-01-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

The Board ruled that an employers use of contracts to ban class and collective actions violates the worker's rights to engage in class actions. T his means banning employment agreements at many companies that require workers to pursue all claims individually through arbitration. The labor board’s decision said that the ban by D.R. Horton, a nationwide homebuilding company, violated the National Labor Relations Act and constituted an unfair labor practice.

President Obama defied Republicans in Congress and made three recess appointments to the labor board to prevent it from becoming paralyzed. When Mr. Becker stepped down, the board shrank to two members, including its chairman. Under a Supreme Court ruling, the board, which has five seats, cannot issue any decisions unless it has at least three members. This allowed the Board to rule in this case.

The decision is likely to be appealed to a federal court of appeals.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

2012-01-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. And the month of January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Do you think this is something that happens only in other places? Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It is a scourge that is both global and local, and we hope that you all take the time to find out how your local community is addressing human trafficking issues.

If you live in the Bay Area, there will be a program on Human Trafficking on Sunday, January 29, 2-4 p.m., co-sponsored by the AAUW Contra Costa Interbranch Council and the Contra Costa County Commission on Women. The panel of government and non-profit experts will explain the scope of the problem and suggest ways to combat trafficking -- globally and locally. The program will be held at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

If you know of any other human trafficking programs being held in your area, please share them as comments to this blog post.

Title IX

2012-01-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

Did you know that 2012 is the 4oth anniversary of Title IX? To commemorate that event AAUW will be hosting a "tweet-up", with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, this Friday , Jan. 6th at 4 p.m. EST. Questions will be answered by Secretary Duncan, Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, and Lisa Maatz, AAUW’s director of public policy and government relations. Your questions can be submitted to the AAUW Facebook page, or tweet them using the hashtag #T9Talk.

During the tweet-up, priority consideration will be given to questions that address equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); sexual harassment and bullying; athletics; career and technical training; and education for pregnant women and students who have children.

Be sure to follow the event on Friday to see if your question is asked. You can even watch a live stream on the Department of Education's website.

AAUW in 2011

2011-12-29T18:59:00.000-08:00

Those of you who are subscribed to AAUW's Action Alerts already saw this message (and if you aren't subscribed to Action Alerts, please consider doing so -- it allows you to actively participate in AAUW's advocacy work with a few simple clicks of the mouse!), but the summary of AAUW 2011 highlights is worth sharing/repeating:

As 2011 draws to a close, we take a moment to thank our AAUW Action Network members and donors for their extraordinary efforts to advance our shared mission. Your advocacy and financial support, along with the tens of thousands of others in our nationwide network of e-activists, has helped AAUW influence public policy and implement successful and exciting programming throughout 2011. In the current economic climate, when so many organizations are stalled or even shrinking, AAUW remains strongly positioned to be an effective voice for you in the halls of power. As educated women and men, we continue to be advocates and catalysts for sustainable social change, and your contribution today will supercharge our efforts to continue to break through barriers for women and girls in the new year.

Thanks to your efforts and generosity, we can be proud of some impressive advocacy and programmatic achievements. This year, AAUW:

Was recognized by Charity Navigator for our excellent financial management, transparency, and accountability, and was awarded their highest rating–4-stars! We were also recognized byGreatnonprofits.org as a top-rated organization for our work in education, social justice, andwomen’s empowerment.

Awarded $3.7 million to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations to support 239fellowships and grants, thanks to the longstanding contributions of generous AAUW members.

Developed and prepared to launch the AAUW Action Fund’s nationwide voter education and turnout campaign, “It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard,” targeted at millennial women. The campaign will feature strong social media and grassroots components to get women to the polls in 2012. From public service announcements to voter guides, there are plenty of ways to learn and get involved. In the upcoming election, this campaign will focus on fifteen target states: California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. For more information on how to get your state or branch involved in the campaign, contact VoterEd@aauw.org.

Released Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School in November 2011. Within a three-week period, our research had been covered in over 1,300 news outlets, including newspaper coverage in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today and many others. Television and radio appearances included National Public Radio, CNN, CBS News, To the Contrary (PBS), and ABC News. TimeMagazine, U.S. News and World Report, and Education Week also featured stories on theAAUW report.

Conducted a lobby day at the 2011 National Convention, where AAUW members heard from Congressional leaders, allies, and AAUW staff about issues important to women. The Big Teal Machine, made up of more than 800 AAUW members, journeyed to Capitol Hill where they lobbied in support of the National Women’s History Museum and Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act, and urged their senators and representatives to support Social Security. Since convention lobby day, the National Women's History Museum Act has gained 20 additional cosponsors to the already robust list of 68, and the Campus SaVE Act has added nearly 100 cosponsors. The Big Teal Machine reinforced the need to preserve the Social Security system, and to avoid any benefit cuts.

Sent over 7,000 messages to Congress about the Campus SaVE Act and almost 18,000 messages supporting Social Security through our Action Network. Thank you, Two-Minute Activists!

Continued to ride the wave of interest in Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. All of the 15,500 printed reports have been distributed and staff continues to make presentations at AAUW events and other meetings. Catherine Hill moderated a panel in December at the New York Academy of Sciences"Celebrating Women in Science"event with Paul Greengard, Nobel Laureate, along with other leaders in science. AAUW Senior Researcher Christianne Corbett presented findings from Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to over 2,000 scientists at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in November in Reno, NV. You can view Part 1 and Part 2 of Christianne’s talk on YouTube. Additionally, AAUW Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Lisa Maatz participated in MIT 150 Symposium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as part of the plenary panel Shaping Policy in Academia and Across the Nation.

Joined women from around the world for the 55th U.N. Commission on the Status of Women(CSW). AAUW’s report Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics was heavily cited in workshops and panels to support the theme of access and participation for women and girls’ education and training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Played a critical role in ensuring that Title IX protections were added to the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218). In its original form, this legislation exempted charter schools from complying with Title IX, and AAUW took the lead in making sure the legislation was changed maintain this important protection. This legislation was passed by the House of Representatives in September 2011.

Conducted extremely successful outreach efforts to college/university partner members from across the country that included re-engaging former partner members as well as establishing new relationships. Staff also collaborated to provide partner member campuses with new materials to engage students and are working to formalize relationships with student organizations on campuses to build relationships with the AAUW members of tomorrow.

Marked the successful completion of AAUW’s NSF-grant funded participation in the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP). Over the past five years, the project served more than 4 million girls, registered more than 2,000 programs in the program directory, and reached more than 9,100 practitioners with research-based strategies. In addition, more than 17,000 girls benefited from mini-grant funding for programs to inspire participation in STEM careers.

Proudly joined coalition partners on stage during the ‘Stand Up for Women’s Health Rally’ on the National Mall. Members of Congress, activists, and cancer survivors spoke to the crowd of thousands about the direct threats funding cuts pose to women’s health programs.

Awarded eight Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) Campus Outreach Grants to AAUW branches across the country, who held programs on local campuses focused on issues like pay equity, dating violence, Title IX and athletics, and gender discrimination in the workplace.

Testified before the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding restrictions in reselling children’s books; most of AAUW’s recommendations were accepted, allowing AAUW branch book sales to continue without onerous restrictions.

Saw the dedicated members of the AAUW Action Fund Capitol Hill Lobby Corps make over 1,200 Congressional office visits on Social Security, job creation, fair pay, paid sick days, and campus sexual assault. The hard work of the Lobby Corps was critical in securing cosponsors on several important bills that further AAUW’s Public Policy Program.

Published The Simple Truth on the Gender Pay Gap, which continues to be used in the field.Recently, Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) and staff from the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee publicly praised the AAUW publication. A revised version of The Simple Truth will be released in April, so be sure to order or download the newest version for your Equal Pay Dayevents!

Attracted over 100 attendees to our Capitol Hill Equal Pay Day briefing, New Voices in Pay Equity. Staff from over 30 congressional offices learned about the pay gap in various industries and how the Paycheck Fairness Act could help narrow that gap and help women achieve economic self-sufficiency. We also worked with the Center for American Progress Action Fund to create an Equal Pay Day flash mob video that has accumulated thousands of views and spread the word about the importance of pay equity.

Worked with Women’s Policy, Inc. and the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues on a series of equal pay briefings, including the October briefing, The Gender Wage Gap: What is the Impact on Women and their Families? featuring AAUW Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Lisa Maatz as a speaker.

Applauded the White House decision to recognize 12 community heroes, including AAUW member and former president of the AAUW Buffalo (NY) Branch Tamara Brown, as leaders in engaging women and girls in STEM fields. Tamara Brown founded Buffalo’s Tech Savvy, which provides information related to technological opportunities to young women and their parents.

Disbursed roughly $90,000 to support plaintiffs in seven key sex discrimination lawsuits, including the plaintiffs in the class action suit Dukes et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Earned a perfect score on our audit thanks to the hard work of the AAUW Finance Department and all employees. Please see the annual report for specific numbers and a wonderful programmatic overview.

Presented another fabulous National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), with more than 500 women in attendance! Our successful partnership with NASPA continues.

Reached 17 campuses and over 400 participants with Elect Her-Campus Women Win, the only program in the country that trains college women to run for student government.

Saw 11 AAUW Campus Action Project grant teams implement programs on campus or in their community during the spring of 2011. The programs were aimed at increasing the number of women studying in the fields of STEM. Their programs raised awareness about these fields and careers, provided mentoring relationships for interested students, and improved the campus climate by offering female students opportunities to meet with faculty and each other in supportive, fun ways.

Awarded seven Campus Action Project grants in December to fund projects focused on addressing sexual harassment in middle and high schools. Using recommendations from AAUW's new report, Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, the teams plan to conduct focus groups and surveys with students and then develop workshops, materials, and documentaries on the topic.

Reached over 100 campuses with our $tart $mart Salary Negotiation workshops that teach college women how to negotiate fair salaries and benefits.

Co-sponsored a summit on workplace sexual harassment at Hunter College in New York City in October. The summit commemorated 20 years since law professor Anita Hill testified against Clarence Thomas during his Senate confirmation hearings. Hill was the keynote speaker. LAF co-led a lunchtime discussion about sexual harassment teens face on the streets and in schools.

Received a new look for the office lobby. New lights were added to brighten our entryway and a new lobby desk was added to open and update the floor plan. In addition, AAUW now has a uniformed security officer at the front desk and our security system was enhanced for the safety of AAUW staff and tenants.

Celebrated 130 years of advancing equity for women and girls with over 800 members at ourNational Convention in Washington D.C.!

Plan B Contraceptives

2011-12-21T14:30:00.000-08:00

In a disappointing development earlier this month, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius’ overruled the scientifically based FDA recommendation to make Plan B (emergency contraception) available over the counter. The medical and women’s communities are baffled by Sebelius’s decision, as Plan B’s extremely mild potential side-effects make it safer to use than Tylenol, Advil, Prilosec OTC, Benadryl, and Robitussin – all available without a prescription. AAUW encourages efforts to increase education and access to emergency contraception for all women, including minors, and believes emergency contraception should be available without a prescription or restriction. Greater awareness of and improved access to emergency contraception could help reduce the rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion in the U.S.

There are already enough obstacles to this important form of birth control as detailed in a recent JAMA study. As Aaron Carroll summarized in The Incidental Economist blog yesterday, "Plan B is either unavailable or 'hidden' in 20% of pharmacies. When it is available, people at the pharmacy are misinforming 17 year olds that they can't have it anyway 20% of the time. They seem more likely to do so in poor neighborhoods, where a disproportionate number of pregnancies occur. All of this would be improved if the drug were just known to be available over-the-counter for everyone."

The National Women's Law Center has a petition you can sign to let the administration know that we want health decisions made based on science. I also recommend reading Mara Gandal-Powers article on this on the NWLC blog for more information.

VGIF Sends Online Branch a Thank You

2011-12-13T13:58:00.000-08:00

The California Online Branch is a supporting member of the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, and received the following note in the mail:

As 2011 comes to a close, I would like to express my gratitude to you for being a part of VGIF's work to create new beginnings and self-sustainability for women in developing countries. Your support makes this work possible!

During the coming year, we hope to see you out in the community at the following events: In February we will repeat our successful grant-writing workshop held last year during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) annual meeting at the UN. We will again feature a project director from a VGIF-funded organization, this time from Uganda. During March and April, we will be represented at several AAUW State Conventions nationwide as well as internationally with various regional and countrywide conferences related to IFUW held throughout 2012. In October, we plan to support the visit of a director of a funded project to selected US locations and we hope that you will be able to meet her and hear first-hand how your contributions have changed the world for the better. And if you are ever in New York, please stop by the office an meet the VGIF staff!

I've taken the liberty of enclosing our 2010 annual report so you can see exactly the change you've created in the world, as a member of VGIF.

With best wishes for a healthy and happy 2012,
Eileen Shelley Menton
President, Board of Directors
Virginia Gildersleeve International Funds, Inc. (VGIF)
3 West 29th Street #1002
New York, NY 10001

Birth Control for the 99%

2011-12-01T10:06:00.000-08:00

If you are subscribed to the AAUW Action Alerts (and we hope you all are!), you saw the one recently titled: "Are YOU the 99% (of women who have used birth control)?" Since I saw that alert, asking us to contact the White House, I've seen other groups urging the same action. And it's not too late to do so.

You might remember the good news that the Department of Health and Human Services recommended that health insurance plans cover contraception without copay. But that directive is under attack, with attempts to provide exemptions for religiously-based employers, such as the Catholic Church. So the President needs to hear from us right away that, no matter what the Catholic bishops might be telling him, most Catholics in this country want access to birth control.

So we're joining the blog-fest to urge everyone to contact the White House. You can use the phone number listed in the AAUW Action Alert, or you can do what I did -- send the White House an email.

If you want to read more about the issue, there are some terrific articles on the National Women's Law Center blog.

Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School

2011-11-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

Shocking !

Nearly half (48 percent) of the students surveyed experienced some form of sexual harassment in the 2010–11 school year, and the majority of those students (87 percent) said it had a negative effect on them, according to AAUW's brand new report, Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School. Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,965 students in grades 7–12 conducted in May and June 2011, the report provides fresh evidence about students’ experiences with sexual harassment, including being harassed, harassing someone else, or witnessing harassment. All the statistics turned up in the report indicate that sexual harassment is not only rampant, but epidemic in our schools today.

The pattern of harassment tends to continue on to college and beyond. Herman Caine and the brou-ha-ha at Penn State are cases in point. To break this cycle of harassment, the climate at schools must change from harassment as a normal part of school to harassment as totally unacceptable. Perpetrators must be punished; victims must feel free to report their harassment; dialogue on the subject must be engaged; and schools must be accountable.

This report has resonated so much that four days after the release of this report, 1,200 articles have appeared across the country, including the Associated Press and the New York Times. If you haven't got the time to read the whole report, do read a summary of the report. It's really hard to believe.

AAUW Southern Fellow's Luncheon

2011-11-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 29, marked the southern AAUW California Fellow’s Luncheon. Carolann Ford expressed greetings_ from the Funds Committee. She announced that on November 15, 2011 a new report “Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at Schools” will be released. This report researched sexual harassment in grades 7-12 and reveals the negative impact it has on student’s education. The report offers recommendations for students, parents and school personnel. Two other reports still untitled will be released in the near future: 1. Women’s role for community college in technical programs. The community college’s important role to assist women to obtain jobs in the technical workforce. 2. The burden of college and how it impacts women more than men.

The young women who attended the luncheon expressed thanks to AAUW for allowing them to continue their studies in the areas they are passionate about. Their energy and enthusiasm was evident in the brief summaries of their chosen disciplines.

American Fellowships (3)

*Jody Agius Vallejo-USC-Sociology—The assimilation of immigrants into US Life. A study of middle-class Latinos and Mexican Americans and how they fit into everyday US life

*Amy Cabrerra Rasmussen-CSULB-Political Science and Government— The study of government in relation to specific targets such as the infant mortality rate, contraception and health care

*Jennifer Smith-UCLA-Interdisciplinary Programs—(Behavioral Ecologist) The study of female animals and the social implications derived

International Fellows (1)

*Maiara Severo-UC Berkeley-Entomology and Parasitology—The study of insects and the diseases they carry—find a

Career Development Grant Recipients (5)

*Kyoko Aoki-UCLA- Information Studies—Working in the archives at UCLA and studying the information found there—is interested in doing oral history and documenting the information

*Julia Casillas-Antioch University-Urban Sustainability—Her discipline involves the study of environmental problems in relation to gender, race, class and equity

*Allison Downton-New School of Architecture & Design-Architecture—Her interest in architecture began when as a Marine she was given orders to design a structure for the military in Iraq.

*Kristen Kavanaugh-USC-Social Work—To improve the quality of life for all and acceptance of all, especially in the military, is what she wants to achieve through her studies

*Michelle Perry-Pepperdine-Business—By gaining knowledge of the world of business, she hopes to be able to help women seek opportunities on a global level

Selected Professions Fellows (2)

*Cynthia Huang-UCLA-Medicine—She is studying in the field on Oncology, specifically in the field of Radiation

*Kesawan Suthigoseeya-California Institute of Architecture—Through the discipline of architecture, she is looking forward to rebuilding communities who have suffered from war or disaster.

Sharon Schuster spoke about the Mooneen Lecce Giving Circle.

Alicia Hetman, National Leadership Corps, gave the attendees an update on LAF.

Judy Pfeil, AAUW CA Co-President expressed her thanks and admiration to the recipients and to all in attendance.

AAUW Celebrates 130th Anniversary

2011-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

AAUW will celebrate its 130th anniversary on November 28, and to honor this auspicious occasion the AAUW website declares November to be National AAUW Month! What better way to honor this milestone than the launch of AAUW's My Vote Campaign?

With election day just around the corner, and having just celebrated last month the centennial of Women's Suffrage in California, now is an excellent time to share the following PSA with all your friends.

And to mark this anniversary, the California Online branch will be "meeting" at our Facebook group on November 8. Visit us there anytime during the day to share what this organization and this anniversary mean to YOU!

AAUW Funds Luncheon

2011-10-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

The AAUW Funds luncheons have begun, with the first one in Danville this past Sunday, October 23, and others soon to follow. Many thanks to Sandy Hansen, who sent the following report on the October 23 luncheon:

The luncheon began with presentations by Elizabeth Lawrence, a member of the counsel firm, and Christine Kwapnoski, a plaintiff, both involved in the Dukes v. Walmart Stores Inc. case supported by the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund. Lawrence provided a good background of the case and Kwapnoski outlined her experiences as an employee of the corporation through her current employment at Sam's Club in Concord. She told an amazing story of being repeatedly passed over for promotion as male associates with less experience received them.

We heard brief presentations from several recipients of fellowships and grants. I did not take notes on all of them. Yalda Asmatey is writing her anthropology dissertation for a Ph.D. from Berkeley studying the man-made toxic disasters of the San Joaquin Valley, specifically in Kettleman City in Fresno County. This was most interesting to me as the Kettleman City issues were highlighted by the Fresno Bee during my recent eight years in that area. She also spoke of her experiences as a native of Afghanistan and of the struggles that her mother and other women in the country today are enduring to rebuild a democratic country. Alexa Koenig is working with the Human Rights Center on documenting among other things, the effects of Guantanamo on former detainees as she prepares for an advanced law degree. Alice Kwan has a background in the medical device industry and is pursuing an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Berkeley. Her thesis project involves the development of a device to monitor various biomedical markers and e-mail them to doctors. Sallyann Berendsen told of the Napa County branch's Community Action Grant project to address bullying and cyperbullying in their community. Finally Catherine Suarez-Dunbar, director of BasicNeccesities.org located in the community of my primary land-based branch, told of her work with middle- and high-school girls through the Nosotros en Control project to increase their success and support their growth as women in a variety of ways including a week-long seminar and other programs at our local Las Positas Community College. Her non-profit, BasicsNecessities.org also prepares Mother's Day baskets for women at both the Shepherd's Gate and Tri-Valley Haven for Women shelters.

Facebook Changes and Privacy Issues

2011-10-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Over the past week, some members of the CA Online Branch have been participating in an interesting program discussion about Facebook privacy issues. This is important because more and more AAUW members are connecting with each other and advocating for AAUW issues through social networking.

I've observed that when someone joins Facebook, and gets comfortable with how Facebook works, the genies at Facebook change the format, and hand-wringing ensues. It's not just a knee-jerk aversion to change (although that certainly factors in), but a legitimate concern that the changes mean a loss of control over our privacy.

It helps to know when a major change is on the horizon -- to be aware of what it is, how it will work, and the privacy implications. So Facebook users would be well-served to become familiar with the new Timeline feature currently in the early stages of being rolled out... preferably BEFORE it suddenly appears as your new Facebook profile.

Facebook's help menu offers a good introduction and tutorial, but we are pleased to share the introduction to Timeline presented at our branch's program discussion by Birgit Pauli-Haack, and encourage you to share it with all your Facebook friends.

Birgit's enthusiasm for the changes reminded me of how change in general often works in the world. We are more likely to welcome it if we are prepared for it and can see it's benefits, rather than have it thrust upon us with no notice and little explanation. Perhaps a metaphor for our relationship with AAUW as well as the organization evolves over time?

The Time to Act is Now

2011-10-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

The Federal Judges Emergency Affects Women -- The Time to Act is Now!	Take Action!


Our civil and constitutional rights and individual liberties are protected by a strong and effective judiciary. So, with the Supreme Court beginning its term this month, now is a perfect time to focus on a threat to the hard-won victories of the women’s and civil rights movements: the "judicial emergency" created by vacancies in courtrooms nationwide. Ask your senators to help protect our freedoms by moving forward with judicial confirmations! Not only can the federal courts be a shield for civil rights laws like Title IX and the Equal Pay Act, they’re often the last, best hope for women who have experienced discrimination in education, employment, health care and in other aspects of their lives. A strong judiciary is critical to American women. Yet with the Senate dragging its heels, we're on track to have more vacancies at the end of the 112th Congress than we did at the start. Furthermore, the diversity of the courts is being stunted by the slow confirmation process. In recent years, more of the individuals nominated to the federal bench have been women or minorities than in the past. But in spite of the many qualified women and minorities who have been nominated to the bench, the judicial vacancy rate is nearly 11 percent, with 92 vacancies on Federal courts around the country. Moreover, of the 27 nominees currently on the Senate calendar, one third (nine) are nominated to fill vacancies classified as emergencies, 12 are women or people of color, and all but one had broad bipartisan support in committee. So that’s why we need you to send a message to the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Ask your senators to urge Reid and McConnell to quickly call for confirmation of the federal judicial nominees from your state and move all consensus nominations to the Senate floor immediately for confirmation. The vacancy crisis can have an easy solution, but we need your help. To send a letter to your senators, click the "Take Action" link at the top of the page or visit AAUW"s Two-Minute Activist. Remember: You can always help strengthen AAUW's efforts to support a strong and diverse federal judiciary by making a tax-deductible donation to AAUW's Public Policy Fund! Double your impact! Tweet, Facebook, and forward this action alert to friends and family.

California Initiative Process Study

2011-10-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passage of women's suffrage in California. But the state ballot that gave women the vote also included a measure to give California voters the right to enact laws through an initiative process.

I saw an excellent article by Juliet Williams (Associated Press) a few days ago in which she explains the measure was intended to remove the rampant corruption and bribery in government, and put reforms back in the hands of the citizens. But over time, the monied interests who had previously controlled the government adapted to this new reality. They eventually learned how to use the initiative process as a tool for their own interests. And with the huge costs of TV advertising driving the success of initiatives, it has increasingly become a big-money endeavor.

Initiatives have also had an enormous impact on state finances. So it makes perfect sense that after last year's study of the state budget, AAUW CA is this year embarking on a study of the California Initiative Process, with the hope of collectively coming up with sensible recommendations to reform the system.

The California Online Branch plans to participate in this study, along with branches all across the state. Won't you join us?

California Women's Suffrage Centennial

2011-10-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

It was 100 years ago today -- October 10, 1911 -- that the men of California went to the polls to vote on 23 amendments, including Prop 4, to (finally!) give women the vote. It's passage made California the sixth state in the country (all western states) to pass women's suffrage, nine years ahead of the passage of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
It only happened because of the remarkable efforts of a determined group of women -- as well as some progressive men who supported their cause. The story of their decades-long lobbying efforts is a valuable lesson in the values of collective advocacy and perseverance.

But as we celebrate this centennial, it's important to remember that these suffragists saw the vote not only as a basic right to which they were entitled, but as a means to an end: full equal rights. So we owe it to them to stay informed on the candidates and issues, and to cast an informed vote on each and every Election Day.

Anti-Choice Legislation Back Again

2011-10-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

The anti-choice fanatics in the House of Representatives are at it again. Instead of working to create jobs, they are bringing back an odious bill that would restrict women's access to abortions. They abandoned their earlier attempt to redefine rape, but H.R. 358 still would allow hospitals to refuse to provide abortions even if the woman's life was at stake!

It would also ban insurance coverage of abortion in state health-exchanges, effectively eliminating coverage for women who currently have it as well as those who are uninsured and look to these new exchanges to finally obtain coverage.

The Republican leadership has indicated they hope to have a vote on this bill very soon. NARAL Pro-Choice America president, Nancy Keenan, said in press release:

As President Obama is urging Congress to focus on creating jobs, anti-choice House leaders are promising to move an extreme anti-choice agenda. It is unfathomable that the House will vote on a bill that, among other egregious provisions, would allow a hospital to refuse a woman life-saving, emergency abortion care even if she will die without it. House Speaker John Boehner and other anti-choice politicians do not have a mandate to attack women’s freedom and privacy. Lawmakers who vote for this bill will be forced to answer why attacking a woman’s right to choose, even in emergency situations where her life is at risk, has apparently become the new jobs agenda.

We urge AAUW members and friends to contact your representative to voice your opposition to this bill. NARAL has a platform to do so -- follow the link at the end of the 10-7-11 Blog For Choice article.

Three Women Awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize

2011-10-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

I saw this announcement in today's AAUW Washington Update, and thought it worth sharing:

Three Women Awarded 2011 Nobel Peace Prize

The chairmen of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Thorbjoern Jagland, announced on Friday that three women, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni opposition leader Tawakkul Karman, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their courageous contributions to peace in Liberia and to the continuing struggle for democracy in Yemen. These women were hailed as visionary leaders who have peacefully sparked reform in societies usually dominated by men. Jagland said, “We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society.”

AAUW believes in the need for political, economic and social empowerment of women, and applauds these three Nobel Peace Prize winners.

AAUW 2011 Funds Luncheon

2011-10-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

Time is running out for reservations for the 2011 Funds Luncheons. This is an important luncheon. See how your contributions are assisting women to further their education. Time and Time again we hear from our recipients how much these funds help them in their endeavors. We need to attend and applaud them. We need to applaud ourselves for making this possible

To make reservations for luncheons, go to the AAUW CA Website and click on AAUW Funds on the lefthand side of the page. The new screen will give you more details about the luncheon and the speakers. OR You can register directly on line.

Reservation Deadline: October 12

CEDAW is back in the news

2011-10-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

The headline in The Huffington Post on 9-21 was "Hillary Clinton Promotes Women’s Rights Treaty that U.S. Has Not Yet Joined.” On September 19, 2011, Secretary Clinton, along with other women world leaders participated at an event on women’s political participation at the United Nations just prior to the convening of the General Assembly.

The Joint Statement on Advancing Women’s Political Participation was signed by Secretary Clinton and mentioned by President Obama in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly. The Joint Statement reads in part:

"We call upon all States to ratify and fulfill their obligations under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and to implement fully Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women and Peace and Security and other relevant UN resolutions.”

CEDAW: the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world.

October 10 Event

2011-10-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

You are invited

Don’t miss this exciting event!

AAUW CA is holding a reception to honor Women Suffragists and to encourage women to get out the vote. It will be held at the California Museum for Women’s Courtyard, 1020 “O” Street, Sacramento, on Monday October 10^th at 4-6 p.m.

Come and meet Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, and several other elected officials who will be there to address the audience. Featured will be a special presentation of the official pros and cons arguments for the 1911 Proposition #41 to give women the right to vote.

Please join us and help AAUW show up in force.

California Women's Suffrage Centennial

2011-10-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

October marks the 100th anniversary of California women winning the right to vote -- the sixth state in the country to do so, and nine years ahead of the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920.

AAUW is actively involved in celebrations all across the state, often in coalition with other organizations. Visit the California Women's Suffrage Centennial website to learn more about the celebrations planned in Sacramento on October 9-10, as well as a calendar listing of events and exhibits elsewhere around the state.

Continued Attacks on Planned Parenthood

2011-09-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

As NARAL's Blog for Choice article yesterday points out, the House Republicans have not stopped their attacks on Planned Parenthood, even though their attempts in the Spring to cut off all Planned Parenthood funding -- even threatening a government shut down -- failed. The latest assault comes from Rep. Cliff Stearns (FL) who is attempting to smother Planned Parenthood with administrative costs, demanding reams of records dating back 13 years. Please consider signing NARAL's petition to Rep. Stearns and House Speaker John Boehner, demanding an end to wasting taxpayer funds with this politically motivated harassment.

News From Washington

2011-09-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

AAUW Expanding Work in Science and Math Fields; Applauds Latest White House Announcement on STEM

WASHINGTON – The American Association of University Women (AAUW) applauds the latest move by the federal government to make it easier for women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). AAUW has a special interest in this issue, as we are preparing to take our successful regional STEM programming nationwide to encourage women and girls to enter these careers.

In recognition of AAUW’s contributions to research and grassroots advocacy in promoting women’s increased participation in STEM, the White House invited AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE, and AAUW President Carolyn Garfein to attend Monday’s announcement of the National Science Foundation’s 10-year plan to increase workplace flexibility in the STEM fields. The event, in the East Room of the White House, featured First Lady Michelle Obama and NSF Director Subra Suresh.

“We welcome the administration’s recognition of the vital role the federal government plays in removing occupational barriers to women in these fields. AAUW’s work in this area shows that even small improvements can make a big difference in retaining the best minds in the science and math fields,” Hallman said.

AAUW’s 2010 research report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, provides compelling evidence of the environmental and social barriers that continue to limit women’s participation and progress in those fields. This report sparked AAUW’s renewed commitment to building successful local programs to attract girls and women to STEM fields.

Currently, AAUW branches run many STEM education programs throughout the country, encouraging thousands of girls to consider a future in STEM. Next year, AAUW will partner with major corporations, government entities, and organizations currently participating in national STEM education coalitions to develop more STEM programs nationwide. These programs will be focused not only on students but also on the adults who can positively influence girls’ career decisions. Additionally, in 2012 AAUW will release new research on the role of community colleges in educating students for STEM careers.

AAUW has a rich history of supporting women in STEM. In 1920, AAUW provided Marie Curie with funds to purchase radium for her research. AAUW also supported Jenny Bramley, who invented the cathode ray tube, the astronaut Judith Resnick, and many other prominent women in STEM. Gayle S. W. Hagler, a 2006–07 AAUW Selected Professions Fellow, received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Since 1888, AAUW has provided more than $90 million in fellowships and grants to 11,000 recipients, and we currently give more than $3.7 million each year to women preparing research for publication, advancing their careers, reentering the workforce, and pursuing advanced studies in the traditionally male STEM fields. AAUW also funds innovative community programs with a particular focus on increasing girls’ and women’s achievements in STEM.

Launching Women's Health and Economic Rights (HER) program

2011-08-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

In recognition of the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, and the anniversary of the 1963 civil rights march on Washington, a coalition of women's organizations, representing millions of women, announced plans to counter the attacks on women's economic and health security through a new multi-organization effort, HERvotes. The goal is to mobilize women voters in 2012 around preserving women's Health and Economic Rights (HER rights.)

Today HERvotes is releasing a list of the top 10 historic laws that impacted women's lives and security, but are now in danger of being weakened, cut or eliminated by extremist policies at the federal, state and local levels. This top 10 list of health and economic security cornerstones includes the Social Security Act, Medicare, Medicaid, Title X (the National Family Planning Program), Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Affordable Care Act. The full list is HERE.

More information about the first-ever Summer Snowball Launch and AAUW's My Vote campaign may be found at AAUW Dialog.

August 26 -- Women's Equality Day

2011-08-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

What is Women’s Equality Day? Source--National Women’s History Project www.nwhp.org

At the bequest of Rep Bella Abzug ( D-NY), in 1971 the U.S. congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.”

The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19^th Amendment to the constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil right movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s right convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. August 26, 2011 will mark the 91st anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

The observance of the Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19^th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality. Workplace, libraries, organizations, and public facilities now participate with Women’s Day Equality Programs, displays, video showings, or other activities.

Human Trafficking -- It'sGlobal and It's Local

2011-08-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

It's Global and It's Local -- Human Trafficking" is the theme for our international advocacy efforts this year. When most people hear the terms "human trafficking" or "sexual slavery" they think of Eastern Europe or Third World countries. It's well documented in such works as Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristoff and Cheryl WuDun, but we do not think these things can occur here in America -- "right here in River City."

Human trafficking is the fastest growing underground industry in the world because it is so very profitable. A professional pimp can lure teenage girls into believing they will be models, make video shoots, sell high class cosmetics around the country, etc. and then threaten, beat, and intimidate them into selling sex to strangers on a daily basis.This provides daily profit for the pimps with very little upkeep. They move around frequently so it's very difficult to catch them. Look around your community and see the girls plying their trade and know that many of them are sex slaves. To read about one 85 year old AAUW member's efforts to education an LA Times Editor, click HERE. One of AAUW California Public Policy priorities is

advocating vigorous enforcement of anti-human trafficking laws.

Whenever there is a large sporting or entertainment event, sex-trafficking numbers in that area significantly increase. In the United States, the Super Bowl is one of the largest human-trafficking events. Read the AAUW blog article and view the video HERE,

Women’s Rights are Human Rights and AAUW Public Policy states support for U.N. programs that address human rights and women's and girls' concerns. Therefore we support U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women” (CEDAW). CEDAW provides a universal definition of discrimination against women that includes human trafficking.

by Jo Turner

Judge Ruled in Mansourian Case

2011-08-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

A federal judge ruled (very interesting reading) Wednesday that the University of California-Davis violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in the AAUW-supported case Mansourian v. Regents of the University of California. A group of female wrestlers sued in 2001 after they were told they could no longer participate in varsity wrestling at the University of California-Davis. The women were later reinstated but forced to compete against men for spots on the team. Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr.’s decision said the university failed to continuously expand its opportunities for women in athletics. AAUW released a statement celebrating justice being served for the athletes.

Tech Trek is national news

2011-08-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Now in its 14th year, the Tech Trek summer camps caught the eye of CBS News. In case you missed it, here's the July 24 segment that featured this wonderful AAUW CA program.

Victory For Women's Health

2011-08-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

The new rules, announced by the Department of Health and Human Services, require new health insurance plans to cover women’s preventive services such as well-woman visits, breastfeeding support, domestic violence screening, and contraception without charging a co-payment, co-insurance, or deductible. This is a victory for both women and common sense. It’s also a big win for economic sense. For every dollar we invest in helping women avoid unwanted pregnancies, the country saves nearly $4 million in Medicaid expenditures down the road.

Victory for women's health

2011-08-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

As noted in a posting last week, a panel of medical professionals recommended that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) require all health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved forms of birth control without a copay.

Good news! Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of HHS, just announced they have accepted this recommendation. NARAL calls it the "biggest victory for women's health in a generation." But they also note that administration is still considering allowing some employers to be exempt from this requirement.

So now is a good time to send the administration a message, urging them to make sure access to birth control is truly universal.

No-Cost Birth Control

2011-07-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

Last week, a panel of medical experts made the recommendation that all health insurance plans be required to cover all forms of FDA-approved birth control to patients with no copayment. In other words, for free. This is a particularly welcome movement towards full access to birth control because the recommendation comes from a panel of scientists, not politicians.

In her response to this announcement, Nancy Keenan, the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America said,

As someone who has worked on women’s rights for nearly 30 years, I can say that today’s news marks one of the biggest advances for women’s health in a generation. Currently, nearly one in three women finds it difficult to pay for birth control, and that’s why the United States has a far higher unintended-pregnancy rate than other industrialized countries. Making family-planning services available at no cost will help millions of women prevent unintended pregnancy and thereby reduce the need for abortion. We are confident that the Obama administration will adopt the IOM’s science-based recommendation and make affordable contraception a reality for all women.

Now it is up to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on whether to follow those recommendations. Ms. Keegan expressed confidence in the administration to follow the recommendations, but the anti-woman conservatives are howling dire warnings about "consequence-free sex"as well as the usual misogynistic nonsense from Bill O'Reilly. This fight isn't over yet.

Victory in the Lulu Sun Case

2011-07-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

Lulu Sun, an English professor who alleged sex and race discrimination in the promotion process at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, won her case against the school. In the June 1 decision, the hearing officer ordered the promotion of Sun to full professor and awarded her lost wages of about $154,500, as well as $200,000 in emotional distress damages. The university will also be charged a civil penalty of $10,000, and its administrators will be required to attend a training session on employment discrimination law. The university plans to appeal the decision.

California Access Act Bill Signed by the Governor

2011-07-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

          Today, the Governor signed AB 12, the Abolition of Child Commerce, Exploitation, and Sexual Slavery Act (the ACCESS Act), which increases the fine against a “John" who engages in commercial sex with a minor to up to $25,000 and directs those fines to groups providing therapy, housing, shelter, and education to those child victims.
          “Governor Brown has consistently recognized that the commercial exploitation of minors is a form of child abuse. By signing the ACCESS Act, the Governor shows zero tolerance against the men who fund the
underground exploitation of children,” explained author Assembly member Sandré R. Swanson (D-Alameda).
          “The ACCESS Act attacks child prostitution at its most wicked root: the men who pay to have sex with child prostitutes. Some child prostitutes are out on the streets as victims of human trafficking; some are victims of child and sexual abuse; some are victims of abandonment and mental abuse. But they all have one thing in common: they are children.”

Girls Sweep International Science Competition

2011-07-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

Google’s inaugural science fair concluded last week, with girl power (and brains!) winning the day. U.S. girls were named the top award winners in all three age groups. Lauren Hodge of the 13- to 14-year-old category tested various marinades for levels of carcinogens in grilled chicken, while Naomi Shah of the 15- to 16-year-old category studied the impact of changes to indoor air quality on asthma medication reliance. Grand Prize winner was 17-year-old Shree Bose, who found a way to improve treatment for ovarian cancer patients with resistance to some types of chemotherapy — a groundbreaking discovery reported this week in Scientific American.