Springfield-Annandale Branch of AAUW
Our branch was organized in March of 1955 and received into the Virginia Division that Fall. Composed primarily of young college educated women at home with young children in a young community of newly built homes, it has evolved into an organization of women of many ages with strong interest in current issues, particularly women’s issues. Our branch has stronglly supported AAUW’s mission. We invite you to browse and learn more about our programs, community impact activities and special interest groups.
AAUW Celebrating Over 140 Years
AAUW Mission Statement
To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. Vision: Equity for all. Values: Non-partisan. Fact based.
AAUW Diversity Statement
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team, and board of directors. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
THE 5 STAR NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM rewards affiliates (states, branches, other organizations) for aligning their work with the AAUW strategic plan and other initiatives that foster the organization’s mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls.
Congratulations to the Springfield-Annandale Branch on Achieving ‘Star’ Status in all 5 AAUW Focus Areas!
2024 IncIusion Awards: Judy Baldwin
The Inclusion Award Scholarship Meeting is April 24, 7:00 P.M., at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. We have five high school honorees; two from Lake Braddock, one each from Lewis, Annandale, and West Springfield High Schools. They and their families are invited to attend this
event. Light refreshments will be served.
Upcoming Programs: Irene McGhee, Amy Crolius, Co-VPs for Programs
The Springfield Golf and Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, is the place to be on May 9, 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Our featured speaker is Juliana Valencia. Ms. Valencia is an Emmy-Award-winning reporter in two languages for News 4 and Telemundo 44. She is part of the News 4 Today team and a regular fill-in anchor. Since Valencia joined News 4 in 2019, she has reported on many historic moments such as the January 6 insurrection, Supreme Court rulings, and the funeral proceedings of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor. Working early mornings, Valencia was one of the first journalists on the scene of the Key Bridge accident in Baltimore and provided coverage for the entire week. Read more about Ms. Valencia here: https://www.nbcwashington.com/author/juliana-valencia/
The cost for this event is $50 and can be paid by check, or credit card on PayPal. See flyer with all the information below.
Make your reservations and payment no later than April 26.
Send your food choices and a list of those friends or family members you would like to sit with to Rose Clark SpringflingAAUW@gmail.com.
Public Policy and Advocacy: Susan Burk, Public Policy Chair
March 25 is Equal Pay Day 2025
Each year, this symbolic day is used to raise awareness around and combat the impact of pay inequities. Equal Pay Day 2025 is on March 25 and marks the current state of the gender pay gap for women: 83% for full-time, year-round workers and 75% for all workers (including part-time and seasonal).
Started by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) in 1996, the goal of Equal Pay Days is to raise awareness about the ongoing gender pay gap and how the pay gap varies significantly among different communities, particularly for women of color.
Department of Education Action
AAUW of Virginia President, Lane Stone states: AAUW opposes the dismantling of the Department of Education, in no uncertain terms. Let Congressman Scott know. Read our letter here. Let your senators and representative know how you feel. For further information go to:
https://aauw-va.aauw.net/aauw/directors/publicpolicy/.
It has been a tumultuous few months (or is that an understatement?). Many of us who are veterans of public service have watched in horror as agencies and institutions we know well and value are eliminated or viciously down-sized. We all have neighbors, family, and friends who are finding themselves unemployed after distinguished careers in public service. Most recently, action was taken to dismantle the Department of Education. AAUW’s relationship with that Department extends to its support of Title IX, student loans and other issues. Those who have had children needing special education services know how tough it is to get approved for “services.” The Education Department has been very important to this effort.
AAUW National is making clear that it is not prepared to pull its punches in the face of these actions, will continue to support DEI, and equity for women and girls in all areas. The following is AAUW’s statement on the President’s Executive Order to dismantle the Education Department (emphasis added):
Washington, D.C. — The American Association of University Women (AAUW) unequivocally condemns President Trump’s executive order “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities” dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.
“This reckless and shortsighted action threatens to gut vital protections that ensure equal access to higher education and will have devastating consequences for students — especially women, students of color, and those from low-income backgrounds — who rely on federal oversight for their right to an equitable education,” said Gloria L. Blackwell, CEO of AAUW. “Eliminating the Department of Education would decimate federal civil rights enforcement, slash protections against gender-based discrimination, and roll back decades of progress toward making higher education accessible and affordable. This decision is not about streamlining government; it is about stripping students of their rights and futures.”
Consequences of this action may include:
Low-income students may lose vital federal financial aid that makes it possible to earn their degrees;
Survivors of sexual harassment and assault on campus may see more Title IX cases dismissed and drastically weakened pathways to justice;
Students with disabilities could be left without critical safeguards to protect and enforce their rights in schools;
LGBTQ+ students who experience harassment and discrimination could face unsafe environments without their schools being held accountable;
Student loan borrowers may be more vulnerable to abuse by predatory for-profit colleges and noncompliant servicers while facing unaffordable repayments
AAUW urges Congress to speak out against this move and protect the Department from any further cuts that could hinder enforcement of federal civil rights laws protecting students and preserving access to higher education. The cost of inaction is too high, and the futures of millions of students — especially those from marginalized communities — hang in the balance.
In response to these coordinated and continuing attacks on education in America, AAUW is launching The Defend Higher Education Fund to enable AAUW to elevate the critical higher education issues impacting women, mobilize advocates across the country, provide strategic resources to students, staff and faculty on campus, and fuel investments in the infrastructure and technology necessary to move our mission forward.
Support to this fund ensures AAUW can effectively fight on behalf of women on campuses across the country and ensure that AAUW remains a trusted and powerful voice for equity.
2025 Virginia General Assembly
We are still sorting through the results of Governor Youngkin’s actions on the many bills that went to him for approval. The following are some lowlights:
Paid Sick Days – Vetoed
Paid Family and Medical Leave – Vetoed Minimum Wage Increase – Vetoed
Access to Contraception – Amended to allow prescribers to opt out for religious reasons.
Be a Two Minute Activist Fight for equal pay, family leave, stopping sexual harassment, and equal opportunity in education from the comfort of your own home. Sign up to be a Two Minute Activist and get regular alerts and the opportunity to take action. AAUW.org/act/two-minute-activist/. It couldn’t be easier!
Did You Know? You can sign up now to start your free, online salary negotiation workshop. Just go to https://salary.aauw.org/ to begin. AAUW Start Smart is designed for college women who are approaching the job market. AAUW Work Smart is designed for women in the workforce at any career level.
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