NEWSLETTER RESOURCES FOR BRANCHES
October 22, 2023
- Public Policy wants to alert branches to the situations in Grayson County and Bristol, VA, both in Southwest Virginia. After working with the Wytheville Branch and the Southwest District Rep to better understand the community’s involvement and impact on women there, we have decided to support advocates in these communities who are facing efforts from outside Virginia to restrict access to abortion and establish “test cases.” We held a special Zoom presentation on the subject on October 26 and provided additional details of how our members can support community advocates at this meeting. In addition, Denise Murden plans to speak on behalf of AAUW-VA at the Grayson County Board of Supervisors public hearing on an abortion ordinance on December 14.
- Voter Guides for the 37 contested Virginia Senate Races were completed, shared with individual candidates, and posted on the AAUW-VA website prior to the stare of early voting. AAUW National recognized Virginia for this effort.
- After a summer break, AAUW National restarted its monthly State Public Policy Chair (SPPC) Zoom meetings. We have been introduced and given access to a new legislative tracking system, BillTrack50, which we will use in the upcoming General Assembly session. AAUW National Lobby Corps has also resumed with many Virginia members, including Janine Greenwood. Lobby Corps training for both existing and new members will be held on November 2 in the AAUW offices.
- AAUW National sent out two GOTV emails to all AAUW-VA members after working on the details and wording with us. The first encouraged registration and the second encouraged voting. National is using Virginia as a “beta test” of new ways they can support state public policy activities.
- Along with many in the AAUW-VA leadership, Denise Murden and Janine Greenwood attended Senator Warner’s annual non-partisan Virginia Women’s Conference in Norfolk on September 30. They attended AAUW’s Salary Negotiation Workshop and received applause when we were able to comment that we have been pursuing salary history ban legislation in Virginia for several years.
- Denise Murden attended Social Justice University on October 1 in Virginia Beach. This annual event, organized by the Hampton Roads Legislative Collaborative Table (LCT), provides advocates with information on the common agenda of the 27 participating groups, including AAUW-VA, that was developed in June.
- We held another Public Policy Zoom meeting on October 4 to discuss Branch public policy activities. Thanks to Northern District for sharing the Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan video we showed.
- AAUW-VA will again participate in the League of Women Voters Pre-session event on December 6 to highlight the AAUW-VA Public Policy agenda.
- More than 3,000 postcards were distributed to our branches for the Reclaim Our Vote campaign, and we know that some Branches were supplying their own cards to write. Cards were mailed through October 25, so we will provide a complete report on participation in January.
- Preparations for our Lobby Days is underway. We have secured a room at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond for our Women Legislator’s Reception on January 30 at 5:00 P.M. We will be working with GRAAUW Branch members on this event. A block of 18 rooms have been reserved at the Hampton Inn, Richmond, at a group rate of $149 each. This is the same hotel as last year. In person lobbying will be on January 31 and we are working on details for virtual lobbying on February 28. Issues for lobbying will depend on what is introduced by the newly elected members of the legislature after the election, but will reflect our policy priorities.
Submitted by:
Janine Greenwood
Denise Murden
Co-VPs for Public Policy
Equality, Individual Rights, and Social Justice
- Support actions to make the ERA the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- Support full access to civil and constitutional rights, including affirmative action and voting rights and an amendment to Virginia’s Constitution that affirms the right to vote
- Support measures to ensure fair, nonpartisan redistricting and transparency in government
- Support self-determination of women’s health decisions, including reproductive rights
- Advocate for freedom from violence and fear of violence, including bullying, hate crimes, sexual harassment, and human trafficking
- Advocate for diversity and inclusion as mission-based values
Economic Security
- Support adoption of measures to close the gender pay gap and promote fairness in compensation and benefits
- Support equitable access and advancement in employment and leadership opportunities for women
- Advocate and promote support for quality, affordable health care and childcare; paid family and medical leave and paid sick days; family planning services; and senior care and services
- Support a livable minimum wage standard and policies and programs to eliminate food and housing insecurities
Education
- Support Title IX and all other civil rights laws pertaining to education and the enforcement of such laws
- Support adequate and equitable funding for quality public education for all students in order to reduce educational disparities and ensure students have equitable access to distance learning and school meals
- Oppose use of public funds for nonpublic elementary and secondary schools and to charter schools that do not adhere to the civil rights and accountability standards required of other public schools
- Promote and protect programs that meet the educational needs of girls and women at all levels, including STEM fields
- Support increased access to affordable higher education for women and disadvantaged populations.
AAUW Celebrates the Passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to protect the health of pregnant workers, such as letting them carry bottles of water or take restroom breaks. This critical legislation passed the House of Representatives more than a year ago, but it was stalled in the Senate. On December 22, 2022 the Act finally was passed as part of the omnibus spending bill.
“We are thrilled to end the year with a long-awaited moment: AAUW applauds the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a momentous victory for pregnant and postpartum workers and their families, health, and economic security.” Read Gloria Blackwell’s Full Statement
Title IX – Celebrated 50 Years on June 23, 2022
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education, protecting staff and students in any educational institution or program that receives federal funds. This includes local school districts, colleges and universities, for-profit schools, career and technical education programs, libraries, and
museums. Music, choir, sex education classes, and sports involving bodily contact are exempt from Title IX, as are religious institutions if the law would violate their religious tenets. Admissions policies at private undergraduate institutions are also exempt. Title IX is not just for athletics. It affects all areas of education. Click here for more information on Title IX.