Opening the Schoolhouse Doors: Mendez v. Westminster

Sylvia Mendez and June Hernandez may have never met, but they had many things in common. Both were Mexican American girls who were just trying to attend school in Southern California. Instead of being allowed to go to the well-funded white schools in Orange County, they were sent to Mexican American public schools even when doing so required the girls to bus across the city or county. There were no laws in place that required school districts to segregate Mexican American children from white children — it was just the result of a shamefully ignorant community.

While many associate school desegregation with the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case in Topeka, Kansas, few remember or are aware of the 1946 Orange County case Mendez v. Westminster School District. At age 9, Mendez became a part of a movement that was started by outraged families who were tired of the substandard education provided to Mexican American children. At the time, the Garden Grove Unified School District Superintendent James Kent testified that Mexican children were inferior in terms of hygiene, ability, and economic outlook. The Mendez case set a crucial precedent — that segregating schools by race was unconstitutional. Although the case only encompassed the school districts in that community, it would later serve as a precedent for other cases in California and for Brown v. Board of Education. Earl Warren, governor of California when Mendez v. Westminster was being argued, later became the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The language he used in Brown v. Board of Education resembled the language used in the ruling of Mendez v. Westminster.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we must also use this time to reflect on the barriers that have existed and continue to exist in our communities. My grandmother, June Hernandez, was just a few years younger than Mendez and lived through the early desegregation of the same California school district. Although my grandmother was integrated into better-funded schools before high school, she still faced barriers. Despite her academic ability and willingness to learn, she was labeled by her teachers as lesser. White children refused to talk to her or the other Mexican American children. As a result of her experiences in school, we, her grandchildren, were not allowed to learn or speak Spanish at home.

My grandmother pushed me to try harder in school and to focus on my homework, and she was one of the first in my family to celebrate my decision to go on to graduate school. She reminded me of the opportunities that I was fortunate enough to have in my generation. Yes, I was a first-generation college student, and I could believe in the possibility of education past high school.

The school district that James Kent led in the 1940s? That was my school district in the 1990s and early 2000s. At the very least, my schools didn’t have administrators who said the same kinds of hateful things that people said when my grandparents were in school.

My grandmother’s courage and determination to finish school, even during times of change and ignorance, directly affected her children and grandchildren. We are who are today because of who she was and continued to be. Our access to education stems from the desire of young women and men who just wanted to go to school and who fought for equal opportunity.

And while the rhetoric on educational access has shifted, I know from personal experience that we never benefit from closing schoolhouse doors.

This post was written by AAUW College/University Relationships Manager Christine Hernandez.

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Chico Branch Stands Up for Girls’ Sports

Carol Holzgrafe, past president of the AAUW Chico (CA) Branch, gives Cindy Wolff a certificate of appreciation for her work to improve equity in Chico schools.

“Why are there more opportunities for boys to play sports at this school than for girls?”

AAUW member Cindy Wolff asked this question in 2008 when her daughter was cut from the girls’ volleyball team at Chico High School in Chico, California. The school had recently reduced the girls’ volleyball team from 15 to 12 players, and Wolff noticed that several girls’ sports teams were smaller than the equivalent boys’ sports teams.

Wolff, a California State University, Chico, professor and director of the university’s Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion, quickly realized what her innocent question meant — the school was likely noncompliant with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which guarantees gender equality in educational opportunities.

This disturbed her. She didn’t want her tax money to go to “support the biases of others.” Sports equity is important to her because “sports participation of girls benefits the entire society,” she said. “It’s good for everyone.”

As a concerned parent and an advocate for equality, she met with the volleyball coach, the principal, and the athletic director about her concerns. None of the conversations led anywhere, so she compiled documentation about the school’s athletics program and filed a complaint with the district. Because her daughter said she faced retaliation at school, Wolff felt she had no other choice but to retract the complaint and file again later.

In fall 2009, Wolff filed another formal complaint against the district, which claimed that the complaint was not supported. Wolff met with the president of the school board. She was the first person who seemed to care, but she didn’t feel that she would be able to do anything. At a school board meeting on the topic, approximately 50 parents voiced similar concerns, but nothing happened afterward.

Wolff used her skills as a social scientist to collect more data. In spring 2010, she presented the data to the local AAUW Chico (CA) Branch. Former athletes and a Title IX expert also spoke at the meeting. Branch President Carol Holzgrafe said that Wolff’s presentation “blew us out of the water. The facts were so appalling, and we couldn’t ignore it.”

The whole branch backed Wolff, and in September 2010, they joined her in filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, which oversees Title IX compliance. Wolff said the filing process was easy, and it only took two days for the agency to respond to say they would investigate. The complaint covered many aspects of inequality beyond just participation numbers. For example, the boys’ teams always had prime-time slots for their games, and only boys’ games had cheerleaders and band performances. Studies show that more people attend games that feature these perks, so the boys’ teams enjoyed more revenue, visibility, and publicity.

In March 2011, four people from the Office for Civil Rights spent four days canvassing the community and interviewing coaches, students, and other school personnel. They interviewed Wolff for an hour. Around that time, a reporter called the agency, and while Wolff was supposed to have anonymity, her name was released inadvertently and included in an article about the investigation in a local Chico newspaper. Sadly, Wolff received hate mail and faced retaliation in the community.

OCR’s investigation found that the school district was not compliant with Title IX. Before the report’s release on June 22, the agency began working with the district to bring them into compliance. After being mentioned in the post-investigation media coverage, Wolff received no hate mail — only messages of support.

An unexpected outcome of the investigation and report is that nearby school districts are changing too. For example, because some of the compliance measures include dividing up the prime-time game slots and adding junior varsity girls’ soccer and tennis teams, schools that Chico competes against also must become more compliant. Wolff points out that “one OCR complaint can evoke change in an entire region.”

Both Wolff and the AAUW branch are very pleased with the outcome of the investigation. Holzgrafe said, “This is the reason I belong to AAUW. We’re such movers and shakers. It’s so nice to identify a wrong and do something about it and have the organization behind us to do it.”

If you want to investigate whether your local school is compliant with Title IX, download AAUW’s Title IX Compliance: Know the Score Program in a Box to help you get started.

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Title IX and Me: From Ice Hockey to Equal Rights Advocacy

When I was only 3 years old, my parents strapped my first set of ice hockey skates on me — a Minnesotan rite of passage. Before long, ice hockey became my passion. However, upon entering high school, I learned that there wasn’t a girls’ team. At that moment, I experienced a rude awakening: Gender inequality was the status quo in my community.

Armed with my strong convictions and leveraging Title IX’s mandate, I led my peers and community members to lobby the school board to create a girls’ ice hockey team. Testifying against sexist opposition just like the pioneers of Title IX once did, we successfully convinced the school board to establish a girls’ team, an experience that has forever shaped my perception of what one passionate and goal-oriented individual can accomplish.

This early experience not only led to higher education and athletic opportunities that I might not otherwise have had but also guided my personal and professional pursuits. I was fortunate to attend Amherst College, graduate with honors in psychology, and serve as a captain of the women’s ice hockey team. The skills I obtained and the confidence I built as an athlete and as a member of a team were invaluable, leading me to ultimately become an attorney and an advocate for equal opportunities for all people. Along the way, I have advanced important social causes, served in leadership roles traditionally held by men (including as editor-in-chief of the Rutgers Law Review), and empowered the next generation of women as a mentor and role model.

Recently, by winning a Good Maker challenge, I received funding from the National Women’s Hall of Fame to pursue a sports and leadership project for girls. The premise of the project is to host a sports and leadership clinic not only to inspire, motivate, and empower young girls but also to enable older female athletes to give back to their communities and help instill in the next generation the passion, drive, and commitment that is necessary to maintain and expand equal opportunities.

Ensuring the protection of these opportunities was unquestionably the key message of the National Women’s Hall of Fame 40th anniversary Title IX celebration in Washington, D.C., last week. I was fortunate to have been recognized as a new generation leader at this event alongside the true pioneers and leaders of the women’s rights movement (my role models). Many of the distinguished speakers and panelists voiced the concern that the next generation may fail to understand the significance of Title IX and simply take those opportunities for granted. There is much more work to be done, and that work is now in the hands of the next generation.

This point resonated with me because of the similarities between the obstacles that the Title IX pioneers faced and those that modern-day female athletes still encounter. Bernice Sandler, known as the “godmother of Title IX” because of her role in the development and passage of the law, spoke about having to coordinate bake sales and other fundraisers to buy equipment. This story reminded me of some of the hand-me-down equipment that my college ice hockey team received from the men’s team. Did the Amherst women’s ice hockey team have to win a national championship to prove its worthiness and finally receive its own new jerseys and equipment?

I was also reminded of my own experience when Neena Chaudhry from the National Women’s Law Center explained the rationale behind the current challenges to Title IX — that girls are not as “interested” in sports as boys. That premise is precisely the one I encountered and believed I overcame in high school, more than 15 years ago. I’d say this attitude is clear evidence that we still have work to do!

Linda Hallman, executive director of AAUW, concluded the panel with a strong and passionate call to action: “Get out the vote!” I could not agree more. What a simple yet effective means to protect Title IX and to ensure its commitment to providing equal opportunities for all.

Each of the other panelists provided their own amazing tales and calls to action. Other speakers included Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). Finally, I’d be remiss to conclude without mentioning the ever humble, eloquent, and passionate women’s rights advocate Sen. Birch Bayh (D-IN), the “father of Title IX.” What I appreciated the most about him was that despite his integral involvement in the creation and passage of Title IX, he was happy to take a backseat to demonstrate his admiration for all the amazing and accomplished women in the room.

From the Olympian sitting next to me to the executive sitting across from me, the women at this conference were awe-inspiring. I only hope that through my life’s work I can continue to advance their fight to provide equal opportunities for women and that I will find and create opportunities to share my passion with and instill the same ideals in the next generation of women!

This blog post was written by National Women’s Hall of Fame grantee Heidi S. Alexander, Esq.

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AAUW Fellows and Grantees Gather for D.C. Luncheon

Last week, AAUW fellowship and grant recipients, local alumnae, and selection panelists gathered at the AAUW national office for our annual spring luncheon. In addition to enjoying lunch and dessert, women across generations and professional and academic fields made connections with one another.

Sarah Weilant, a 2011–12 Career Development Grantee, and Diane Holt, a Career Development Grant selection panelist, bonded over their shared passion for international work while two women who earned their grants in 1978, Margaret Conover and Nancy Lubin, met for the first time after receiving their awards more than 30 years ago. Conover and Lubin joked about how times have changed — fellows can now receive notification of their awards via e-mail. Each woman had her own story about how she first discovered that she had been selected as an AAUW awardee. In 2011, Destiny Aman was shocked when she saw her name listed as an American Fellow. Aman, one of the most charismatic AAUW fellows I have met, explained how she read the list about 15 times in disbelief and asked her housemates whether it was for real. Needless to say, there was plenty of laughter in the room.

Aside from jokes about dissertations written on typewriters, we engaged in a valuable conversation about mentorship. Each attendee spoke of her realization that a single action is powerful. Ayana Johnson, a 2010–11 American Fellow, recently learned that a young woman from California chose to study marine biology at the University of California, San Diego, after seeing a poster of Johnson in a local airport. Johnson explained that the student saw this poster and said, “Well, she looks like me. I could be a marine biologist too.” These stories illustrate how small things can have a large impact. Aman, for example, said that the simple act of asking to assist in someone’s research gave her the opportunity to spend six weeks in Madagascar.

The luncheon allowed us to get to know fellowship and grant recipients on a more personal level. The awardees made connections with each other and with AAUW. Coming together to share experiences, network, and discover common bonds is an important part of the AAUW experience.

Please know that our doors are always open to any fellow or grantee who is visiting Washington, D.C.! Get in touch by e-mail or by calling 800/326-AAUW.

This post was written by AAUW Fellowships and Grants Intern Elyssa Shildneck.

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Police Chief Addresses Sexual Assault at Cal State

In April, the AAUW San Fernando Valley (CA) Branch worked with the Women’s Research and Resource Center at California State University, Northridge, to hold an event about campus sexual assault featuring campus Police Chief Anne Glavin. The event was made possible through an AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund Campus Outreach grant.

Past AAUW President Sharon Schuster spoke to the student attendees about AAUW, our fellowships and grants, and some of our accomplishments, particularly the new research report Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School.

AAUW member Donna Marie Bernis spoke about the Campus SaVE Act, which focuses on preventing campus sexual assault. Then Shira Brown, director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center, introduced the police chief.

Glavin spoke eloquently about the policies and procedures that the campus police force employs in sexual assault cases and the support that is available for victims. She talked about the department’s welcoming environment and told students that there is a trained counselor on staff. Glavin introduced this counselor, Christina Villalobos, who spoke briefly about her role in the department and how she handles students’ problems confidentially.

Cal State Northridge Police Chief Anne Glavin speaks to students about campus sexual assault.

Glavin talked about other resources the department provides, such as self-defense classes, which can be taken for course credit. She described how the university has gone beyond implementing the national requirements of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and guidance given by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. She closed by taking questions from the audience. Cal State Northridge’s campus newsletter, Daily Sundial, wrote a nice article about Glavin’s presentation, which spread the event’s message beyond just the students who were able to attend.

To show their appreciation, AAUW branch members presented Glavin with a certificate of appreciation and a congressional certificate from Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA). AAUW member Lane Sherman also gave the chief a flag, donated by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), that had flown over the nation’s Capitol.

The event was successful in a number of ways. It ensured that Glavin’s important message and information reached students and AAUW members. The talk also connected our branch with the Women’s Research and Resource Center. The leaders at the center offered free use of their facilities for our future meetings, a resource we will certainly use. Also, there is a possibility that we will start an AAUW student organization  at Cal State Northridge.

Organizing this event took tremendous effort, and we considered cancelling it more than once. In the end, we were glad that we persevered and succeeded in putting on this wonderful and precedent-setting program.

This post was written by Jackie Zev, who has been a member of the AAUW San Fernando Valley (CA) Branch since 1982 and serves as the treasurer’s assistant and newsletter editor.

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AAUW Fellow Teizeen Mohamedali Pays it Forward

How would you thank a woman who helped you achieve your career goals?

Teizeen Mohamedali, a 2009–10 AAUW Selected Professions Fellow, developed a lasting connection with the sponsor of her fellowship. Elisabeth Bathgate’s generous support helped Mohamedali pursue a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. Mohamedali remains truly grateful for the support that Bathgate, a dedicated member of the AAUW Hayward-Castro Valley (CA) Branch, has provided over the years — both academic and personal. Because of this close friendship, Mohamedali has prioritized paying it forward in her career and in her support of women’s education.

Mohamedali has been academically curious since she was a young girl. She eagerly awaited the arrival of her parents’ subscription to National Geographic each month. As she flipped through the pages, she wished that she could be one of the scientists mentioned in the articles. Although Mohamedali had a passion for nature, when given the choice in high school, she opted to drop chemistry and pursue economics and art instead. But college offered a vast array of options, which allowed her to merge many sciences, including engineering, into her course work as an environmental science major. Her passion for science has blossomed even more since then, and she puts her talents to good use in the United States and beyond.

In summer 2009, Mohamedali and her husband volunteered with Sustainable Aid in Africa International in her home country, Kenya, assisting with water projects for primary schools in this western region. Mohamedali currently works as an environmental engineer on water quality projects at the Washington State Department of Ecology. For one project, which is devoted to improving the water quality of Puget Sound, Mohamedali performs engineering analyses to estimate current and future nutrient loads under different scenarios of population and climate change. This information is being used to develop a water quality model of Puget Sound, which will help predict what the water quality might look like in the future.

Regardless of her path — in government, at an NGO, or in an academic setting — Mohamedali will continue to be a positive role model for women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). But more than that, she gives her talents back to her community — in the United States and beyond — and she would like to open up the possibility of STEM careers to more young girls. Mohamedali knows firsthand that one woman can make an impact — just like Bathgate did through her financial support and her friendship.

Whenever they need a reminder of how much women can help each other, Bathgate and Mohamedali can look to the unique gifts they exchanged. Bathgate made Mohamedali a kaleidoscope, while Mohamedali gave Bathgate — who loves bird-watching — a photo of a bird from a trip to Mount Kenya. Mohamedali has thanked her friend by being appreciative and academically curious — and by paying it forward. Sponsoring a Kenyan girl’s high school education in is one way that Mohamedali reminds herself of the importance of education for girls in her home country, where women have far fewer academic opportunities.

This post was written by AAUW Fellowships and Grants Intern Elyssa Shildneck.

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What Was Your First Leadership Role?

Close your eyes, and imagine yourself back in your fourth-grade classroom. Most of you will remember your teachers, your little desks, and the important events that took place during that year. My most vivid memory is of being the line leader, the biggest honor a fourth-grader could receive. Only the students with the highest grades and the best behavior were allowed to be first in line and lead their classes around school. I thought that as soon as I became the line leader, I gained leadership skills. But new research suggests this may not have been the case. Evie Stone, a special education teacher at Vista Middle School in Van Nuys, California, used a similar system in her classrooms to motivate students. But when she realized that they were only doing the right thing because they would be rewarded, she stopped using this kind of motivation and instead empowered her students to take on leadership roles when they saw that something needed to be done. For Stone, this was the real secret behind cultivating leadership.

Other research has also found that rewarding students by placing a heavy emphasis on grades and prizes puts the growth of children’s internal motivation at risk. A recent study by Ronald E. Riggio, the Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology at Claremont McKenna College, found that leadership development starts in early childhood. Children as young as two can show specific signs that predict their ability to lead as adults, such as taking on new experiences willingly, supporting their peers, seeking knowledge about lessons from their parents, and committing to new activities. Simply put, a child who seeks to learn new things and who has parental support could become a leader later in life. This new discovery might mean that in classrooms, leadership is not simply a way to reward good behavior — it is an opportunity for continuous growth with the support of others.

And while leadership may stem from childhood experiences, even adults can build those skills. This year’s National Conference for College Women Student Leaders will help women who are in college or graduate school to develop their leadership skills. Every year, this event helps hundreds of women build their skills, thanks to workshops and inspiring speakers.

Empowerment and support from our parents, teachers, and mentors are important in our childhood years and continue to play a role as we enter into adulthood. So whether your passions and interests were fostered at young age or you are just on the verge of making your mark, you too can grow to become a leader.

Can you remember your first childhood leadership experience and the impact that it had on you? Or did your path to leadership start in adulthood?

This post was written by AAUW Leadership Programs Intern Nzinga Shury.

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Announcing the AAUW Art Contest Winners

Thank you so much to everyone who took part in the 2012 AAUW Art Contest. From the artists who submitted their work to the members who took the time to vote for their favorite pieces to the judges who helped select the winners, your participation made this year’s contest a tremendous success. Final selection was no easy task, given all of the fantastic entries from AAUW members.

Congratulations to all of our winners! Their entries will be featured on a collection of note cards that will be sent this spring to all AAUW members. If you’re not a member yet, now is a great time to join.

Now, without further ado, here are the winners of our 2012 Art Contest (in no particular order):

Crimson Surprise by Sharon Pottebaum, AAUW Milwaukee West Suburban (WI) Branch

What Mouse? by Paula Schroeder, AAUW Atascadero (CA) Branch

Yellow Window by Phillip A. Wright, AAUW Healdsburg (CA) Branch

Walking for Water by Faith P. Weldon, AAUW Schenectady (NY) Branch

Thomas by Margaret M. Mathews, AAUW Houston Peach (GA) Branch

Spirit Mountain by Pat Cairns, AAUW Atascadero (CA) Branch

We would also like to congratulate the winner of our first-ever AAUW Thumbs-up Award, whose entry in the 2012 AAUW Art Contest received the most “likes” on our Facebook page:

My Mother’s Roses by Leslie King, AAUW Wytheville (VA) Branch

And finally, a special congratulations goes to Julia Kwon, who won another inaugural contest. Kwon’s beautiful oil painting Shattering the Glass Ceiling was selected as the winning entry for the AAUW Student Poster Contest and was featured at our National Museum of Women in the Arts event earlier this month.

Kwon, a senior studying studio art at Georgetown University, said of her entry, “This painting was directly inspired by the sociological concept called the glass ceiling, an unacknowledged barrier that most women encounter when it comes to upward mobility within an organization. The multiple lines and marks symbolize the cracking of the glass ceiling as well as the consistent efforts of women in politics and art to shatter the glass ceiling.”

A 24-by-36-inch poster of Kwon’s painting is available for $12. Call 800/326-2289 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT) to order yours. Quantities are limited.

Congratulations to all of our artists on their amazing work.

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Introducing It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard

Today, the AAUW Action Fund is excited to announce the launch of It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard, a nonpartisan campaign to educate and mobilize young women for the 2012 elections.

You can be a part of the big launch by spreading the word about our campaign to your friends, family, followers, and fellow potential voters! Here’s how:

1. Pick one of the quotes below from AAUW state presidents who are leading the way in 15 key states that have competitive statewide races. Maybe you’ll pick one from your home state or just choose your favorite. Now share it! Post it on Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter — use the hashtag #MyVote — and encourage your friends to check out our campaign.
2. Follow @ItsMyVote on Twitter.
3. Check out the My Vote campaign website, and share the link with your social networks.
4. Share your own thoughts on why you’ll be voting in this election in the comments below or on Twitter (#MyVote).

Here’s what 15 AAUW state presidents have to say about the campaign:

California

“We’ve come such a long way, yet many of the rights and privileges that we’ve struggled long and hard to win are at risk in this year’s general election,” said Judith Pfeil, AAUW of California president. “We’re working to educate women about the rights and privileges that are at stake in the upcoming election: equal pay, equal opportunity, college affordability, access to birth control, Social Security, the list goes on, and we’re committed to getting women to the polls in record numbers and turning up the volume of women’s voices.”

Florida

“We’re going to use our leverage to educate voters and get young women involved,” said Carol Napper, AAUW of Florida president. “We want everyone to be aware of the issues that particularly impact families and to come to the polls to make sure candidates know these issues matter.”

Illinois

“The decisions our elected officials make now will shape the future Illinois these young women inherit,” said Lois Strom, AAUW of Illinois president. “As our state continues to face an uphill budget battle, I think it’s crucial that young women learn about the issues and get involved with the election. That’s what our campaign aims to do.”

Massachusetts

“With so many outside groups trying to sway voters with attack ads, we hope to add a breath of fresh air with a simple message to young women: Go vote,” said Liz Fragola, AAUW of Massachusetts president. “Ignore the negativity, educate yourself on the issues, and get to the polls in November. That’s what our campaign is all about.”

Michigan

“I have heard from some young people that they don’t think that their one vote is important,” said Sally Doty, AAUW of Michigan president. “That’s far from the truth. It is so very important for voters to remember that the people we elect are making decisions that affect our families both now and in the future.”

Mississippi

“Voting is a right. Voting is a responsibility. Voting is our voice,” said Bess C. Blackwell, AAUW of Mississippi president. “Therefore, we must exercise our right to vote, be responsible and vote, voice our vote through the election of a candidate for a specific office, and by voting in each and every election.”

Missouri

“We’re very excited to mobilize young women voters this election, and we’re doing everything we can to get people involved and into the habit of voting,” said Julia Triplett, AAUW of Missouri president. “This is a unique opportunity to reach out to Missouri voters with the important message that each vote is valuable and powerful.”

Montana

“Young women are already engaged with many of today’s issues, from the Keystone XL pipeline to campus sexual assault,” said Diane Ehernberger, AAUW of Montana president. “We’re hoping to turn that issue engagement into a lifelong voting habit.”

Nebraska

“We encourage women voters to get involved in the political process because our everyday lives are affected by local and national laws and regulations,” said Marilyn Bombac, AAUW of Nebraska president. “AAUW members in Nebraska are raising our voices to establish a tipping point at which our voices are transformed into votes that make a positive difference in Nebraska governance.”

Nevada

“It is critical to get women to vote in the 2012 election so we in Nevada can elect a senator who will fight for women and families,” said Joyce Destefanis, AAUW of Nevada president. “Education, child care, and health care are sorely in need of advocates. Nevada ranks low in all these areas, and young women know it. Now it’s time to show it by voting.”

North Dakota

“AAUW of North Dakota has a great track record for engaging voters on the issues,” said Julie Garrett, AAUW of North Dakota president. “It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard is all about talking to young women and getting them to the polls. This is a group that can pack a serious punch on Election Day, and we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure the impact is heard and felt in North Dakota.”

Pennsylvania

“AAUW members in Pennsylvania are encouraging all voters to understand issues that impact their lives and their families — from campus safety and ‘fracking’ to equal pay and election accessibility,” said Margaret McGrath, AAUW of Pennsylvania president. “Once voters understand both the issues and the power of their vote, they’ll want to help shape the future by showing up at the polls.”

Virginia

“It was at the Lorton Workhouse in Virginia in 1917 that the suffragists were imprisoned and force-fed simply for asking for women’s right to vote, something so important to them that they willingly endured physical abuse,” said Caroline Pickens, AAUW of Virginia president. “As precious and hard-won as it is, many younger women today aren’t exercising their right to vote. At every level of government, women’s voices and opinions are needed. Our vote is critical, and it honors those brave women from 95 years ago.”

West Virginia

“Women need to hear the truth about the issues that are going to matter today and tomorrow, yet every election season West Virginia is flooded with misinformation,” said Sharon Clagett, AAUW of West Virginia president. “There’s a great need for a campaign that takes a ‘just the facts, ma’am’ approach.”

Wisconsin

“It’s crucial that young women get into the habit of voting and raise their voices on the issues they care about,” said Anne Lee, AAUW of Wisconsin president. “Our leaders need to know that quality education, reproductive health access, and government-backed postsecondary school loans matter to the women of Wisconsin. AAUW is doing all we can to make sure young women and their opinions are valued and heard in the upcoming election.”

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AAUW Artists

We have long known that there are many talented members of AAUW. Our members have risen to the tops of their professions — medicine, law, science, academia, and many others. But they also have talents that are independent of their careers. With that in mind, for the past four years AAUW has hosted an art contest, inviting members to submit their masterpieces. All members can vote for their favorite entries, and the winning submissions are printed on notecards and sent to members to encourage them to contribute to AAUW. This opportunity to raise money is an important part of our work toward breaking through barriers for women and girls. And using artwork from members like Jane Winston and Jan Hersh makes these notecards uniquely AAUW.

A photograph taken by Jane Winston, a member of the AAUW Houston Peach (GA) Branch, was a winning entry in last year’s contest. This talented artist joined AAUW after the loss of her husband, who was her best friend, in 2003. In AAUW, she found a wonderful group of women who Winston says can accomplish anything. In addition to keeping up with her photography, she volunteers to read with fifth-grade girls at a local elementary school.

“Tuscan Window” ©Jane Winston AAUW Houston Peach (GA) Branch

Jan Hersh has been an AAUW member for over 27 years. She is an avid gardener who always keeps an eye out for fresh, beautiful blooms. During a trip to Santa Barbara, California, she took this contest-winning picture of a hibiscus covered in morning dew. Hersh has served as a board member for the AAUW Danville-Alamo (CA) Branch and credits her art with helping her to develop strong leadership skills, knowledge about her community, and an ongoing connection with people who enjoy making a difference locally and globally.

“Good Morning Hibiscus” ©Jan Hersh AAUW Danville-Alamo (CA) Branch

Are you a member of AAUW with a hidden (or not-so-hidden) talent in the visual arts? The 2012 contest is now accepting entries. Visit our gallery to see what artwork has been submitted for the 2012 contest or to look at past winners.

The 2012 AAUW Art Contest will be accepting submissions until January 31. Members may vote for their favorite artwork once per week from February 6 to March 4.

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