AAUW PA Statewide Teleconference with
Lisa Maatz
AAUW Director of Public Policy and Government Relations
September 10, 2009
At the recent AAUW National Convention, AAUW encouraged all attendees to call and urge their senators to support pay equity and the Paycheck Fairness Act. The first state delegation to fill their senators’ voice mailboxes with these messages would receive a special prize. Through our wonderful activism, tenacity, and enthusiasm, the AAUW Pennsylvania delegation won!
Discussion topics included: Education policies, No Child Left Behind, Paycheck Fairness Act, Health Care Reform, Effective Public Policy Action. About 50 PA AAUW members participated in the call. Lisa spent the first 30 minutes discussing the topics that had been given to her prior to the call and then members were allowed to field questions. This is a short synopsis of the Lisa’s remarks.
No Child Left Behind: In a nutshell, there is nothing being done in this area by Congress at this time, nor will there be anything to work with any time soon since all efforts are being directed towards health care reform.
Education Policies
STEM: AAUW at the present time is working towards strengthening the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) project.
Title IX: AAUW is directing its energies towards sports at the secondary school level and is currently collecting data on who plays sports and what are they playing. They will focus on how schools should be held accountable for their progress and their AYP (adequate yearly progress) scores. Most of the data collection and focus to date has been at the colleges/universities level. AAUW is working on a safe and drug-free schools act. Check out AAUW’s report “Where the Girls Are” that shows a closer achievement gap.
Health Care Reform: AAUW has been circumspect in regards to health care and does not have a strong health care policy. We are not a health care organization. Public Policy is best left to those organizations that have a strong focus on that topic and have credibility within the area of expertise. There are other groups/organizations that do it better and with more . AAUW does concern itself with health care inasmuch as good health reform will effect the economic status and security of the women it affects. That is where our strength lies. AAUW published a position paper on Health Care Reform and it can be found on the AAUW website.
AAUW’s position on Health Care:
1)get rid of the gender rating for health insurance. Women get charged more than men.
2)Ensure coverage of reproductive health issues such as birth control and reproductive health tests such as pap smears.
3)Ensure preventive care coverage: screenings, immunizations, and educational materials.
Paycheck Fairness
33 senators are now co-sponsors of the Paycheck Fairness act. Senator Specter is not one of them although Senator Casey is. Health Care is now deemed to be a priority so we need to speed up the process towards an equal pay act. We also need to teach women how to better negotiate salaries and contracts.
How to Motivate Branch Members in areas of Public Policy
Make AAUW Public Policy issues a part of every branch activity, even the bridge groups. (ie. Bring up a topic for discussion during the play).
Always leave room for civil debate in conversation.
Spur public policy action by reminding everyone that AAUW public policy debate is needed now more than ever before. Our non-partisan background is needed and is a valuable tool.
Attend town hall meetings and speak out as an AAUW member as long as you are taking an AAUW position.
Use AAUW resources. Everything is available on the website.
Coalition Partners
Q. What kinds of coalition partners are best to work with so we can move our issues forward? (note: AAUW Doylestown is part of the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Group)
A: Business and professional women’s groups; League of Women Voters; General Federation of Women’s Clubs; the PTA; Colleges/Universities Departments of Women’s Studies; Soroptimist; Altrusa etc.
Pull in another group to share the load eg. Equal Pay Day Coalition; have an interesting event (include high school girls and discuss the wage gap)
When speaking on behalf of AAUW, you may not adopt a position that AAUW doesn’t have policy on or one that is contrary to an AAUW public policy position. In that case, speak as an individual. Call or e-mail AAUW to find out.
Lisa is a very motivational speaker and researches her topics well. It was a stimulating hour of listening and conversation.
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