AAUW Releases Comprehensive Report on Sexual Harassment in School
AAUW released a new report this week called Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, the most comprehensive, nationally representative report conducted on sexual harassment in middle and high schools in a decade. The report found that nearly half of students in grades seven through 12 experienced sexual harassment in the 2010-11 school year. Of this number, 87 percent said that being harassed had a negative physical and/or emotional effect on them.
Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School has received widespread media attention throughout the week, including recognition from the Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post, Education Week, and Capitol Hill Blue. "Our report clearly shows that, in many instances, we are failing to provide the safe environment necessary for our children to succeed," said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "Children and their families are too often left to fend for themselves when kids are harassed. Congress needs to strengthen federal protection for all students, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, perceived gender identity, or religion."
AAUW will host an event on the topic of sexual harassment in schools on Tuesday, November 15, at the National Press Club.
Take Action! Download copies of the report from the www.aauw.org website and share them with friends, parents, educators and other members of your community.
You can do your part, right now, to help change this: Ask your senators to promote the Safe Schools Improvement Act (S. 509)!
The Safe Schools Improvement Act would significantly strengthen schools' ability and responsibility to combat sexual harassment and bullying. It would require schools to have comprehensive anti-harassment and bullying policies and promote prevention strategies. The bill would also tell schools to maintain and report data regarding incidents of bullying and harassment.
The best and fastest way for this critical bill to become law is as an amendment to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). ESEA is the law that sets some of the educational and disciplinary standards by which middle and high schools which receive federal funding -- and right now, its anti-harassment and bullying rules are woefully inadequate.
Half of Working Women do not get paid maternity benefits!
A Census Bureau analysis released this week showed that the share of women given time off for pregnancy, birth, and child care has decreased, with about half of working first-time mothers forced to pass up paychecks to stay at home. Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a federal policy on paid parental leave. The lack of paid leave is more likely to affect those with less education.
AAUW believes that creating a work environment that helps employees balance the responsibilities of work and family is smart for businesses and good public policy. AAUW is committed to greater availability of and access to benefits and policies that create a family-friendly workplace environment, which are critical to women's equitable access and advancement in employment.
Federal Appeals Judges Say Case Aqainst Health Care Reform has no Merit.
Two of the three judges on an appeals court set to hear an argument against the Affordable Care Act wrote opinions this week rejecting challenges to the health care law. The two judges, both members of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, are conservatives who had been expected to be more sympathetic to arguments against health care reform. Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s opinion said the court lacks jurisdiction to even hear the case, and Judge Laurence Silberman disputed any suggestion that the act is not constitutional. The Supreme Court is already considering whether to take up the health care challenge and could announce some action Monday.
AAUW believes that, although not perfect by any stretch, many of the reforms included in the Affordable Care Act will improve the collective health of the American people. It is our hope that the elimination of preexisting conditions and gender rating in the individual and small groups markets will result in better outcomes for more women. AAUW will continue to work to restore full access to all health care for women.
Kansas Capital Repeals Domestic Violence Law
The Topeka, Kansas, City Council recently repealed the local law that made domestic violence a crime. Citing the need for budget cuts, the council voted 7-3 to shift Topeka’s responsibility for prosecuting domestic violence cases to the district attorney. About 30 abuse suspects have been freed from charges while officials battled over who was responsible for prosecution.
AAUW Director-at-Large Amy Blackwell took the City Council to task in an AAUW Dialog post, noting that the decision was especially egregious because it occurred during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
AAUW supports efforts to strengthen and improve the response of the criminal justice and legal systems for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Senate Stalls Obama’s Jobs Bill
Senate Republicans and two Democrats – Ben Nelson (NE) and Jon Tester (MT) – united Tuesday to keep President Barack Obama’s $447 billion jobs bill (S. 1660) from the 60 votes required for full consideration. The vote was 50 to 49. Obama’s plan includes payroll tax cuts for workers and small businesses; money for schools, roads, and to hire teachers; and tax credits for businesses that hire veterans and the long-term unemployed. Senate Republicans revealed their jobs package on Thursday, which includes repeal of health care reform and financial regulatory reform.
Although AAUW recognizes that these are tough budgetary times, a recovery plan should not come on the backs of students, women, and working families. As Congress grapples with tough budgetary tradeoffs, it is vital that Americans’ ability to access education, job training, and health care not be sacrificed by shortsighted, ideologically-driven budget cuts.
AAUW Expanding Work in Science and Math Fields; Applauds Latest White House Announcement on STEM
WASHINGTON – The American Association of University Women (AAUW) applauds the latest move by the federal government to make it easier for women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). AAUW has a special interest in this issue, as we are preparing to take our successful regional STEM programming nationwide to encourage women and girls to enter these careers.
In recognition of AAUW’s contributions to research and grassroots advocacy in promoting women’s increased participation in STEM, the White House invited AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE, and AAUW President Carolyn Garfein to attend Monday’s announcement of the National Science Foundation’s 10-year plan to increase workplace flexibility in the STEM fields. The event, in the East Room of the White House, featured First Lady Michelle Obama and NSF Director Subra Suresh.
“We welcome the administration’s recognition of the vital role the federal government plays in removing occupational barriers to women in these fields. AAUW’s work in this area shows that even small improvements can make a big difference in retaining the best minds in the science and math fields,” Hallman said.
AAUW’s 2010 research report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, provides compelling evidence of the environmental and social barriers that continue to limit women’s participation and progress in those fields. This report sparked AAUW’s renewed commitment to building successful local programs to attract girls and women to STEM fields.
Currently, AAUW branches run many STEM education programs throughout the country, encouraging thousands of girls to consider a future in STEM. Next year, AAUW will partner with major corporations, government entities, and organizations currently participating in national STEM education coalitions to develop more STEM programs nationwide. These programs will be focused not only on students but also on the adults who can positively influence girls’ career decisions. Additionally, in 2012 AAUW will release new research on the role of community colleges in educating students for STEM careers.
AAUW has a rich history of supporting women in STEM. In 1920, AAUW provided Marie Curie with funds to purchase radium for her research. AAUW also supported Jenny Bramley, who invented the cathode ray tube, the astronaut Judith Resnick, and many other prominent women in STEM. Gayle S. W. Hagler, a 2006–07 AAUW Selected Professions Fellow, received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.
Since 1888, AAUW has provided more than $90 million in fellowships and grants to 11,000 recipients, and we currently give more than $3.7 million each year to women preparing research for publication, advancing their careers, reentering the workforce, and pursuing advanced studies in the traditionally male STEM fields. AAUW also funds innovative community programs with a particular focus on increasing girls’ and women’s achievements in STEM.
2011 GATEWAY TO EQUITY AWARD
The Beaver Valley Branch honored Deborah Newton at the March 5th meeting as the 2011 recipient of the Gateway to Equity Award. The AAUW-PA Gateway to Equity Award celebrates both Women's History Month and International Women's Day. This award honors an individual, group, or organization that has shown by action and philosophy the promotion of the AAUW mssion: "to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research."
Deborah Newton, Executive Director of Job Training for Beaver County, Inc., has more than 30 years of experience in government funded workforce development programming. Since being named Executive Director of the organization in 2003, Ms. Newton has overseen the relocation of JTBC’s operations to the Beaver Valley Mall and the expansion of direct client services including the incorporation of a computer de-manufacturing work experience program, an Entrepreneurship Education Project for low to moderate income individuals, and the nationally recognized Work Certified™ Program which strengthens the basic job skills and work habits of incumbent and potential employees. Along with these expanded initiatives, Ms. Newton directs additional job readiness and employment programs for Beaver County’s dislocated workers, adults, public-assistance recipients, and youth. As JTBC’s representative, she serves as the Point of Contact for the PA CareerLink® Beaver County Operating Consortium, Vice President of the Beaver County Collaborative Action Network Board of Directors, and a member of the Carl D. Perkins Act Participatory Planning Committee for the Beaver County Career and Technology Center. She was a member of the original planning committee for the Beaver County Women’s Conference. Regionally, Ms. Newton is also working in committee with members of Southwestern PA’s Building and Construction Trades Industry Partnership and the Transportation and Logistics Industry Partnership to gain support for youth pipeline activities that introduce young people to career pathways and high growth occupations within these industries. She attributes Job Training for Beaver County’s staff, Board of Directors, and community partners for having the vision, talents, and dedication required to fulfill JTBC’s mission which is “to serve as a channel between the workforce and employers to meet the employment needs of the region.”
Deborah Newton earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Pennsylvania State University. She resides in New Sewickley Township with her husband and daughter.
