We cannot say we value inclusion and diversity if we choose to exclude women from our organization who took educational paths different from our own.
When AAUW was founded in 1881, the organization sought to provide an opportunity for women to come together for academic and cultural pursuits. Much has changed since that time. A degree is no longer necessary to make us like-minded. Our mission and our challenges have grown, we need all women to come together as one force if we are to be successful in our mission to advance women and girls in today’s society. Moreover, to move our agenda forward, AAUW must have sufficient funding. In the most pragmatic terms, we simply cannot expect corporate organizations as well as other organizations to support AAUW financially if we don’t espouse our own values.
It is time to drop the educational degree requirement as a barrier to joining AAUW and our branch. Vote to drop the requirement on the Spring 2021 national ballot.
If you would like to provide input on this significant revision, please send your thoughts by February 5 to https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/governance-tools/national-election/2021-commentbylaws/
Cindy Hall and Sally Kalin, Co-Presidents, AAUW State College