Breaking through barriers for women and girls

Public Policy

Toni Simmers, Public Policy Chair
publicpolicy@aauwpa.org

Public Policy Subpages
AAUW Public Policy Tools

Issues are an ongoing process with AAUW. We would like to continue the avocation of these issues on a daily basis. We have a great deal of information we would like to share with you. As you know voting is very important in changing laws in our state and nationally. Always take the time to vote in all elections. We at the state level have some Public Policy Priorities listed for 2008-2010, which support the national AAUW’s agenda. Please take the time to read them here on our site. AAUW’s advocacy work is built on participation on the local, state, national and international level. We are a nonpartisan organization, which we do not advocate any political parties but we do advocate issues that promote equity and education for women and girls. At the state level here are some suggestions on how you can get involve with public policy.

*For the latest legislatives issues in Pennsylvania go to http://www.legis.state.pa.us you can find information about the Pennsylvania general assembly. One of the most productive advocating that goes on nationally for AAUW is through the Lobby Corps. This can be done at the local level through designating two of your members to monitor legislation and make contacts on issues that effect woman and girls in our state.

*To find out who is your legislator go to www.pa.gov this site will tell you by county each legislator. It also will tell when legislative sessions are in, internships/fellowships that are available and how to make a law in Pennsylvania.

*For current status on women issues in this state go to www.womenvotepa.org information on how to lobby officials and statistical data about women related to different topics are available.

*For voting information go to www.votepa.com. In seven different languages it walks you through the voting process, county contact websites, voting reminders, application and forms and where and how to vote in the state.

* To explore individually and learn about potential women candidate’s skills, political educational endeavors and grassroots workshops go to www.pcwppp.org.

The Pa. Center for Woman, Politics and Public Policy was utilized in spring of 2008 for a workshop on the Woman to Woman Voter Turn Out.

Documents to Download:
AAUW–Pennsylvania Public Policy Priorities 2010-2012 [PDF] >> Download

Woman-to-Woman Voter Turnout: A Manual for Community-Based Campaigns to Mobilize Women to Vote – Second Edition Free Download Available >>Download

For complete information about AAUW’s Public Policy Principles for Action, visit the AAUW Web site at http://www.aauw.org/takeaction/index.cfm.

Lists of Potential Coalition Partners in Pennsylvania Counties

Branch Program Suggestions for Public Policy

Attendees at the 2009 AAUW Convention were encouraged 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. With wonderful activism, tenacity, and enthusiasm, the AAUW Pennsylvania delegation won! Congrats for shutting down Senator Specter’s mailbox!!

The prized one-hour conference call with Lisa Maatz included 50 members across PA as Lisa described current AAUW thinking on education policies, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Health Care Reform, the Paycheck Fairness Act, and effective public policy action.

Lisa also outlined ways to motivate/stimulate/address Public Policy activities within your branch.
>> View a precis of the Lisa Maatz conference call and Public Policy branch ideas.