AAUW CONVENTION—WASHINGTON DC—JUNE 16-19,2011—ATTENDED BY Carol Leupp, Marge Lee, Gail Conrad and Michelle Radtkin
The first event attended by Toledo Branch members at the AAUW Convention in June was the opening dinner on Thursday evening. On the program were powerful women in the Obama administration: Tina Tchen, chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama and executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, Russlynn H. Ali, Assistant secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, Jocelyn Samuels of the Justice Department and Patricia A. Shiu, Department of Labor.

Tchen led off the panel by saying the administration is trying to “change the DNA of the federal government” so that every agency pays attention to women’s issues in life and in the workplace.

Ali discussed her work to enforce Title IX, which she described as more guidance than “gotcha,” and she reiterated that the 1972 law is about more than just sports: It’s about access and safe learning environments. She works to make sure government contractors follow civil rights laws.

Samuels wrapped up the panel by discussing her work on reproductive rights—including enforcing a woman’s right to enter a health clinic without being harassed—as well as efforts to protect against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or pregnancy.

FRIDAY found convention attendees visiting Capitol Hill for appointments with Senators and Representatives, covering 250 offices and meeting lawmakers and/ or staff from all 50 states. AAUW members advocated for Social Security protections, funding for the National Women’s History Museum, and sponsorship and passage of the Campus SaVE Act, an anti-sexual assault bill. The entire Ohio AAUW delegation visited the offices of Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, then Toledo delegates visited Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s office. Staff persons we met with were all women and were very attentive during our discussions. Marcy Kaptur’s aid encouraged us to follow up with the local office because the Toledo area staff reports regularly to Marcy.

Prior to Friday’s visit to Capitol Hill, Toledo members heard from Representative Cynthia Lummis (R, Wyoming-At Large), Representative Gwen Moore (D, Wisconsin) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D, Connecticut).

Polls closed Friday evening marking the first time AAUW members voted in a popular election—rather than using a delegate system—to elect officers and approve bylaws amendments and amendments to the Public Policy Program. More than 10,000 ballots were cast online and by mail since voting opened on May 1st. This number far exceeded delegate votes cast at the 2009 convention. Officers elected: Carolyn Garfein, AAUW President, Patricia Ho, Vice President, and 13 Directors at Large.

SATURDAY’S opening session featured Wal-Mart v. Dukes plaintiff, Edith Arana.

She described how Wal-Mart never allowed her to advance beyond her support-manager position despite her consistently exceptional performance and her 10 years of retail and supervisory experience. Arana spoke of putting in long hours in hopes of acquiring a better-paying position and more secure financial future for her family, but after six years she was still stuck in low-level positions, even though she asked repeatedly to participate in the management training program. She saw men with less experience being promoted and realized she was not being given a fair chance. When her husband died, she knew she had to speak up! The U.S. Supreme Court heard Arana’s story in March. AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund gave financial support to help the case’s plaintiffs. LAF is making plans to help the women of Wal-Mart continue their historic fight for justice.

SATURDAY’s panel discussion was about gender stereotypes and men’s role as allies in achieving work-life balance. Inequity in the workplace is not simply the result of women’s “choices,” but it’s a product of traditional gender expectations, and workers and employers will need to take active steps to break out of that mold, said John Curtis, director of research at the American Association of University Professors. As long as desk jobs with 90-hour weeks are seen as “heroic” expressions of masculinity, women and families will continue to be at a disadvantage. Workplace discrimination against mothers is rampant: They are less likely to be hired, and they receive lower salaries and fewer promotions. Women are expected to “balance” work/home and men are not expected to do this. Curtis said he hopes someday to address a ballroom with equal numbers of men and women concerned about work-life balance issues.

LEAD, LAUGH, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY: THE LAZY LEADER’S GUIDE TO OUTRAGEOUS RESULTS was the title of Cynthia D’Amour’s remarks to convention attendees. Cynthia, a leadership strategist, shared how-to-ideas to use in AAUW work. Several comments stood out, such as: “We focus on “hardworking” and lead like martyrs—work too hard!” Celebrate people who bring friends and branch accomplishments. Share your AAUW vision for vision sells people on joining. Ask new member what she wants—what’s important to her? (meet people? get involved?) Get new members connected! New members are attracted by: personal, professional development, making a difference and being with people with same passions.

WHY SO FEW–last year’s AAUW research report was discussed by a panel led by NEA’s Vice President, Lily Eskelsen. She emphasized that girls need to see role models in STEM early on. We need to instill a growth-mind set in girls with praise for efforts in science, technology, engineering and math.

SATURDAY EVENING BANQUET speaker, Sarah Brokaw, daughter of nenowned journalist Tom Brokaw talked about her work as a psychotherapist, philanthropist and personal coach. Her new book, Fortyude , encourages women not to dread aging but regard it as an opportunity to start a new, better chapter of life.

SUNDAY’S panel on bullying and sexual harassment was moderated by author Rosalind Wiseman, author and youth expert. Obesity is the leading issue/cause of bullying among youth. One in three students is bullied in cyberspace and school staff also engage in bullying. What helps is– listening to students, giving advice, and checking in with students experiencing bullying. Caring adults are needed to help victims of bullying. Involve students in addressing this issue in schools. AAUW will release a new study this fall on cyberbullying.