American Association of University Women

Bon Air Area Branch
Bon Air, Virginia

Public Policy

For more than 100 years, AAUW has taken strong positions on issues affecting women and families. AAUW is involved on both a Federal and State level on issues concerning the following: Education, Pay Equity, Reproductive rights, Welfare, Social Security, Title IX, Civil Rights, and many more issues that impact AAUW's mission. AAUW on the federal level has a federal lobby corps made up of volunteer members from Virginia, Maryland and Delaware that visit Legislators on Capital Hill every Thursday while the Congress in Session. On the State level, we have a State Lobbyist and a VP of Public Policy. On a weekly basis they attend the Women's Roundtable at the Virginia General Assembly and lobby on behalf of our Virginia AAUW members. We received weekly updates on issues that we need to act upon. AAUW of VA has a state Lobby Day in January. All members are encouraged to attend.

Available to members is an email alert system called AAUW Action Network by which members receive email alerts concerning important public policy issues on the federal level. In addition, on the AAUW website is the "2 minute activist" that allow members to easily contact their legislators. It only takes 2 minutes-one minute to read the issue and one minute to have an email created that will be sent directly to your legislator on Capital Hill. AAUW is also involved in the "Get-Out-The-Vote" election campaigns on both the State and National level. For more in depth information, AAUW publishes the "Action Alert" which is a monthly publication concerning public policy issues on the Federal level.

The following are the AAUW of Virginia Public Policy Priorities for 2005-2007 that are voted on every 2 years at the State Convention:

• Gender equity in education, employment, pay, and public appointments
• Public funds for elementary and secondary education to be used for public schools only
• Access to quality, affordable health care and equity in women's health research and treatment
• Freedom from violence and sexual harassment in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities
• Individual choice in reproductive decisions including access to appropriate services, procedures, and medication
• Access to quality, affordable dependent care
• Welfare reform and other programs that provide women with education, training, and support for success in the work fore and society
• Protection of civil liberties, particular freedom of inquiry

Please contact me if you have any questions on our AAUW Public Policies for the Bon Air Area Branch at 804-360-1708 or Katherine Gallagher

Katherine Gallagher
Public Policy Chair, Bon Air Area Branch