Blog:  Wow! Haven’t had a chance to stop and type a blog until this morning…they are keeping us soo busy!  Lilly Ledbetter was outstanding yesterday.  Many of us said she brought tears to our eyes for the incredible sacrifice to her life that she has taken.  One comment last night about open membership came from a Michigan delegate…she said ” Lilly Ledbetter has done more for pay equity for women in the last 18 months than many in this room have ever done and we would deny her membership in our organization?”  I can’t fight with that logic.  The open forum last night on bylaws was civil and thoughtful.  The Bylaws Committee has done an extraordinary job of informing the members of the strategic plan moving the organization forward from the 2007 convention through the formation of the proposed bylaws.  All those who had comments were given the time to make their arguments.  It’s been VERY interesting.  The first business sessions are today. 
The workshops yesterday were also VERY good.  Our own Janet Watkins took part in the Website Tools workshop…I do have a photo but not the time to download it this morning…maybe later today.  She did a great job and I’ve learned even more ways to make the website and internet work for us…stay tuned.
My roommates, Jan Emery and Deb Ensign, kept me up laughing till very late last night…we open our room to Michigan delegates…and more we’ve had delegates from Iowa and California as well to discuss the ongoing convention…it’s fun and we’ve all had a chance to bond.  But we’re all a little droopy-eyed this morning.  Jan and Deb are downing coffee as I write this and we’re off to another day at the convention…I’m VERY proud of our almost 50-member delegation from the great state of Michigan…we can be seen all over the convention!

Kathy Shaw

Posted under AAUW of Michigan

 Hello All,

Posted under AAUW of Michigan

I just received my June 15, 2009 issue of The Nation (www.thenation.com), and was very interested in the article by Katha Pollitt entitled “Amber Waves of Blame.”  I think it says a lot about some of the disconnects we are experiencing in AAUW as we approach the changes in structure and direction that are inevitable if the orgnaization is to survive. 

I especially love the quote in the article from Robin Morgan who was criticized by young feminists as representing an older generation that had kept a lock on “organizational feminism.”  When the accusation was made that her generation wasn’t passing the torch she told them to “get your own damn torch.  I’m still using mine.”

In AAUW we say we want new, young members, but we continue to do the same things in the same ways and wonder why young women are not joining our branches.  At the same time, those of us who were young during the feminist movement of the 1960s and early ’70s know that the battles for equal rights, reproductive rights, etc. have to be fought over, and over and over.  For example, the murder of Dr. George Tiller, a women’s health care provider, and the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor seem to be disparate subjects, but are both raising all kinds of issues that we would like to think had been settled years ago.  Young women do not understand how quickly the advances they take for granted can be removed. 

It stands to reason, therefore, that in order to continue to work for the issues of importance to AAUW we need each other.   There can be no substitute for the energy and enthusiasm of youth, combined with the experience of maturity, in order to make an ideal partnership, when there are common goals in sight. 

The conclusion of the Katha Pollitt article spells out many of the issues still to be conquered, including … “childcare, equal pay, retirement security, universal access to birth control and abortion, healthcare for all and men who do their share at home, after we achieve equal representation in government, are safe from sexual violence and raise a generation of girls who don’t hate their bodies.”  The list is long and the obstacles to success are pervasive.  There will never be a better time to accept the challenge to bring about the change we want to see occur in our lifetime.

Barbara Bonsignore

Posted under The AAUW Community

           I will openly admit I’ve struggled with the open membership issue as it relates to our proposed bylaws.  Even as I write this and read it back I cringe.  I’ve always believed myself to have an open mind…open to all points of an argument.  But I’m hesitating over opening membership to anyone who is committed to our mission versus those who’ve earned a degree. 

            I’ve heard argument after argument as to why I should be open to this issue:  inclusive versus exclusive (strong argument); if we, as an organization, advocate for equity in education and breaking barriers for women and girls how can we put obstacles in their path to that very organization?

            But then I hear myself say (or think), ‘but don’t we serve as examples and motivation to other women to achieve their education; won’t this change the type of organization we are; would the American Bar Association allow people who have not passed the bar to join the ABA; we can’t be called by the same name (University Women);’ and on and on.

            I do believe part of my hesitation hinges on two things…change and control.  No one seems to like change over which they have no control.   But I do have control over how I react to change.  

            Since AAUW has allowed men to be members and have allowed those with an associate’s degree to join we have not been overrun by men or people with associate’s degrees…we haven’t been overrun by anyone.  We are still struggling to recruit…anyone.

            I’m thinking it’s time we all look at AAUW, not as a precious treasure to be locked away in a cabinet never to be touched, only to be looked at, but as a working tool to move our mission forward; including those who believe as we do that women and girls deserve a place at every table no matter the size, no matter the structure to hear their strong clear voices, “Women and girls matter!”

Kathy Banfield Shaw

AAUW of Michigan President

Member, Marshall & Battle Creek branches

May 2009

Posted under AAUW of Michigan, Equity in the News, The AAUW Community

Posted under Photo Gallery

Posted under AAUW of Michigan

[Show as slideshow]

Posted under Photo Gallery

This inspiring video about AAUW serves as a powerful reminder of why the organization is still necessary in today’s world.

Members of diverse ages and backgrounds share why they felt compelled to join AAUW and why they feel other women should join. The video also highlights AAUW’s 125-year legacy, what it offers women today, and why this valued organization still has work left to do — because equity is still an issue.

To order a DVD or VHS copy of the video, contact ShopAAUW. 

Thank you to the AAUW speakers featured on the video.

(In order of initial appearance, listed left to right)

Video Production: AAUW Communications and GVI, Inc., Washington, DC

Principal Photographs: AAUW historical archives and communication photo files

Special thanks to the following contributors of additional photographs:
Shireen K. Lewis and SisterMentors, Bertha Gutierrez, and Suzanne Cook for personal photos.  AAUW of Florida and photographer Leora Long of the West Palm Beach Branch for group photo of 37 Florida AAUW state presidents.

Posted under AAUW of Michigan

Women’s Issues Luncheon in Midland, MI on 12/12/07 as reported by Pauline Pittsley (Branch Director of Diversity & International Affairs): Cards about Jane Addams were on all the tables & president LuEllen DeLine made comments about her. Deborah Borg, the speaker, referred to Jane Addams in her presentation (”Unleashing the Power of Women in Leadership”). Deborah is the Workforce Planning leader for Dow North America, managing Dow Chemical’s recruiting activities for the region.

The meeting was attended by 87 women including AAUW members, Dow employees, & women from the local workforce. People in the photo (left-to-right): Kathy Shaw, president-elect AAUW of Michigan; speaker Deborah Borg; Mickey Edell, president AAUW of Michigan; Sharon Belobraidich, vice president, AAUW Michigan.

Posted under AAUW of Michigan