February 2019: National News

Return of the Paycheck Fairness Act

AAUW has been preparing to host Lilly Ledbetter as she visits Washington, D.C., for the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act on January 30. Ten years ago, AAUW stood with her as the fight was focused on restoring access to the courts for people who have suffered from pay discrimination. Today, we are committed to giving people new and improved tools with which to fight pay discrimination directly. After sending support letters to the House last week, 260 organizations joined AAUW in urging the Senate to support the Paycheck Fairness Act as well. The bills is scheduled to be reintroduced in Congress the week of January 28. Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor this important legislation.


AAUW Strategic Plan

AAUW’s strategic plan, Beyond Aspirations: Advancing Equity for Women & Girls, published in August, outlines AAUW’s focus on four macro areas—Education & Training, Economic Security, Leadership, Governance & Sustainability—to advance the mission.

A copy of the strategic plan is available on the AAUW Website along with a video by Kim Churches, AAUW CEO, entitled How to Get Involved with the Strategic Plan and a list of ten ideas for how to support the strategic plan. If you don’t’ have online access, you can get the information by contacting a member of the Branch board or another member with online access.


AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund

AAUW signed on to the amicus brief Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Donald J. Trump, et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, challenging the Trump administration’s contraceptive coverage rules to stop the provisions of the ACA that guarantee women equal access to preventive medical care, specifically contraceptive care and services.