AAUW in Action
New York State Policy Issues
AAUW is a nonpartisan organization—but nonpartisan does not mean “non-political.” For over a century, the American Association of University Women has examined the fundamental issues of the times – educational, social, economic, and political – and has taken courageous positions, often far ahead of popular opinion. Together, through our coordinated and strategic advocacy, we’ve enacted invaluable legislation at the federal, state, and local levels.
All public policy actions take direction from the AAUW Public Policy Priorities, voted on by members every two years. All state and branch Public Policy objectives must focus on the mission of AAUW to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. The Public Policy Platform for AAUW New York State promotes and aligns with AAUW’s nonpartisan mission with a specific emphasis on issues affecting women and girls in New York state. Explore the issues below.
Protection from Book Banning
Book banning can happen in any state, including New York, depending on the composition of the school board. Currently, more than a dozen New York districts have banned or are looking to ban books by authors including Toni Morrison, Angie Thomas, and John Green.
Social Security
The U.S borrowed 2.9 trillion dollars from the Social Security Fund. The Fund received treasuries for the cash. The U.S. pays 65 billion yearly in interest to the trust but still hasn’t paid back the principal. The Fund must redeem a Treasury whenever there is a shortfall in contributions and it needs to fulfill its obligations to retirees. The fund’s reserves will run out by 2033. This money was taken from the labors of American men and women. Women earn less than men throughout their lifetimes because of the gender pay gap. Since social security is based on your lifetime earnings women are most affected by this threat to their social security benefits.
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Title IX
Human Trafficking
New York ranks as the 4th highest state for reports of sexual exploitation. Corona, Queens has become a haven for prostitution & trafficking. AAUW New Jersey during a past Superbowl was part of a coalition that plastered the restrooms on the Jersey Turnpike with stickers with the sex trafficking helpline phone number.
Publishing the Equal Rights Amendment
On November 5, 2024, voters across New York State voted YES for Proposition 1 and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), making it harder to limit or remove existing rights from the New York State Constitution. Effective January 1, 2025, the New York State constitution will include protections against discrimination based on age, ethnicity, sexuality, orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy outcomes, among others. New York State has the proud distinction of being the first state in the nation to enact Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination based on specific protected classes in employment, housing, credit, places of public accommodations, and non-sectarian education institutions.
Legal scholars and the American Bar Association have stated that the ERA has now met all requirements for publication. Congress now needs to publish the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.