AAUW Shines in 2012

In the past year, AAUW and our advocates have had an undeniable impact in our nation’s capital, on college campuses, in our branches and communities, and around the world. We have made our voices heard, but we know that our work must continue until all women are empowered with a fair chance.

Did you know that AAUW:

  • now has over 150,000 members and supporters
  • awarded over $4.3 million in fellowships and grants for the 2012–13 program year
  • awarded more than $100,000 in case support through the Legal Advocacy Fund
  • enjoyed a 31 percent increase in the number of Action Network subscribers, adding more than twice as many new subscribers as we did in 2011! AAUW members and supporters sent more than 100,000 letters to Capitol Hill and the Obama administration, including more than 27,700 messages alone calling for pay equity through our Two-Minute Activist.
  • continued to expand our global commitment to women and girls through participating in the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women and the U.S. National Committee for U.N. Women, sending an international delegation to China, and hosting women visitors from abroad seeking to learn more about AAUW’s mission and programs.

 

Family Planning Could Save Millions of $’s in Developing Countries

A new study by the United Nations Population Fund found that investing in family planning in developing countries could save up to $11.3 billion each year in health care costs. Currently, there are 222 million women in developing countries who are not receiving adequate family planning services. In addition to reducing health care costs, the study shows that increased access to family planning services can contribute to economic growth and development, lower infant mortality rates, and improved gender equality. In recent years, funding for family planning in developing countries has declined and contraceptive use has remained about the same globally.

School Finance in California

  By Stephanie Dingman

Nick Ferguson, Ed.D., Superintendent of Alvord Unified School District, spoke about the need to reform School Finance in California to members at our Educational  Funds meeting in October.  Dr. Ferguson, who has over 40 years of experience both in the classroom as a leader in the area of state public school finance, provided members with an informative analysis of how our schools are funded. He elucidated the need to go beyond relying on ballot initiatives, bond measures, and measures that are enacted in emergencies to assure financial stability for public education in California..

Violence Against Women Act

                                                                                                              Members of Congress have returned to Washington, D.C., and we need to make clear that passing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization should be at the top of their to-do list.The Senate passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (S. 1925) by a bipartisan vote in April—now it is time for the House of Representatives to do the same. Call your representative and tell her or him to:

  1. Urge the House leadership to bring an inclusive reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to the House floor for a vote.
  2. Speak out in support of the bipartisan AAUW-supported Senate-passed bill, S. 1925.

Since its enactment in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has saved lives and saved money. Though the programs continue to run, the current authorization expired almost two years ago. VAWA reauthorization is long overdue and should be a priority in the lame duck session.

Take Action!