AAUW Georgia

Paycheck Fairness Hearing Set

AMacKay — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:57:30 +0000

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will finally hold a hearing on the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.182) on March 11. As AAUW members are quite aware, the Paycheck Fairness Act is a much needed updated of the 46-year-old Equal Pay Act. This comprehensive bill – which now has 37 Senate cosponsors – would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law, empower women to negotiate for equal pay, and strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement efforts. The bill would also deter wage discrimination by strengthening penalties for equal pay violations and by prohibiting retaliation against workers who ask about employers’ wage practices or disclose their own wages. In short, the bill updates the law to reflect the practices and processes under more recent civil rights laws. Following the enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act last year, passing the Paycheck Fairness Act is a logical next step forward in the fight for pay equity.

SB 182 was introduced in January 2009 by then Senator Hillary Clinton.

AAUW will be live blogging the hearing that day so even if you are working you can follow along with the proceedings on your computer or smartphone. You can even sign up for a reminder for the live blogging event on the AAUW website.

Women’s History Month

AMacKay — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:05:27 +0000

March is National Women’s History Month, and AAUW has strong ties to this annual celebration of women history makers. AAUW is an established historic organization that has helped – and continues to help – women make history. With that in mind, AAUW is excited to partner with the National Women’s History Project in its 30th anniversary year, which has the theme “Writing Women Back into History.”

Test your knowledge of women in history by checking the NWHP website.

Art Contest

AMacKay — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:25:42 +0000

Red Bicycle

Don’t forgot to vote in the AAUW Art Content. You can vote for six images once every seven days. Voting started February 12 and ends March 11, 2010. Warner Robins artist, Margaret Mathews has an entry titled, Red Bicycle.

Here is the link to vote for images. You will need your member number to vote. If you don’t remember it, use the member ID lookup.

AAUW Responds to SOTU

AMacKay — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:45:59 +0000

CTAUN Atlanta Conference

AMacKay — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:32:16 +0000

The third annual CTAUN Atlanta Conference will take place on Friday, March 12, 2010, at Emory University. The conference topic is “Who Needs the UN Now?” The CTAUN Atlanta conference will provide educators, journalists, students, and others with a framework for understanding and communicating the continuing relevance of the United Nations in the 21st century. The Committee on Teaching About the United Nations Atlanta Steering Committee included Marie Shockley from AAUW.

Invited speakers and panelists include representatives from the UN, CARE, The Peace Corps, The Centers for Disease Control, CNN, and the Department of State, among many others. In addition, local and regional presenters will discuss the impact of the United Nations on their lives and livelihoods. Finally, attendees will learn how their actions can support the United Nations’ work by increasing global awareness and inspiring the involvement of others.

Registration is $35 for adults and $15 for students which includes the conference program, boxed lunch, beverages during breaks, and curriculum materials. The registration form and conference program can be downloaded at http://www.teachun.org.

Help Plan Convention Program

AMacKay — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:54:56 +0000

Laverne Gaskins, state program vice president, has asked for persons interested in serving on a program committee for the AAUW portion of the Georgia AAUW convention to contact her at llgaskin@valdosta.edu. (If you are typing this, don’t forget the double l). She will not be able to attend the convention due to the wedding of her daughter, so assistance is especially needed this time. Please respond as soon as possible. This committee will be chaired by Laverne and she will appoint someone to serve as her representative at the convention. The date is April 16 for the evening banquet and awards and Saturdaym April 17 for programming and the business meeting.

This is a great opportunity to help shape the Saturday program. The theme is “Women Confronting Challenging Topics.” Here are some possible topics for consideration.

Is the struggle for women’s equality over? Do young women believe this?
Should groups of people from other cultures living in the US be allowed to follow the customs of their homeland, even if they oppress women and girls? What if women and girls are injured?
Are there women who choose submission, and to what extent should this be permitted?
How can subtle discrimination best be countered?
What are the factors that keep women from remaining in STEM professions?
What is a good work/life balance for a woman today and how can we attain it?
What is the nature of the conflicts in schools today between and within genders?
What is the relationship between political parties and AAUW’s mission? (let’s hear from the AAUW Republicans and Democrats)
What is the meaning of feminism today?
Is the struggle for women’s equality over? Do young women believe this?

If you have ideas for speakers or panel members, please contact Laverne.

Voting Report Available

AMacKay — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:57:04 +0000

The Obama Administration’s First Year: A Progress Report on AAUW Priority Issues, available at www.aauw.org, and the Congressional Voting Record for the first session of the 111th Congress, available at www.aauwaction.org, outline the AAUW priority issues that became law in 2009. It is no surprise for Georgia members to see that the Georgia senators had a 13 % support of issues supported by AAUW.

Gender Still Makes A Difference

AMacKay — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:35:33 +0000

In AAUW-Dialog, Christy Jones, Director of Membership, AAUW wrote about the popular blogger that outed herself as a woman. You have to read the post on Copyblogger about why she used a male pseudonym for her Internet based copywriting business. The bottom line was that as “James” she got more business, more money more respect, and less hassle from clients.

When I followed the link to the website, I was surprised to find out it is one of the blogs I follow regularly. Her post about her experience has struck a nerve with many readers. Her post has been “retweeted” 2197 times and over 515 have commented on her blog. The reaction has been interesting with people divided on her use of a male name. The post and the comments are worth reading. 2010 is almost here and women are still facing blatant gender discrimination. AAUW is needed as much now as when it started 127 years ago.

Support AAUW Shopping Sponsors

AMacKay — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:42:53 +0000

Great discounts from Barnes and Noble

Nominating Committee Process

AMacKay — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:25:08 +0000

It is now time to begin the process of appointing a Nominating

Committee to develop a slate of candidates for to serve on the AAUW Board of

Directors for the 2011-2013 term. The application notice for appointment to

the Nominating Committee has been posted on the AAUW website

with a description of the qualifications for appointment and an application

form. Please be sure to include this announcement in your state and branch

newsletters, etc. Branch presidents please be sure to notify your members

of this opportunity. The announcement will be included in the next Mission

in Action as well and linked from a website homepage notice at www.aauw.org.

President Garfein announced the process for appointing a Nominating Committee to develop a slate of candidates for to serve on the AAUW Board of Directors for the 2011-2013 term. A description of the qualifications for appointment and an application form for appointment to the Nominating Committee has been posted on the AAUW website.