AAUW Counterparts Update: October
PA Public Policy Priorities update: We need to have a process to revise our priorities, if desired, and to vote on these priorities next spring. See here for current priorities: Click here to download. Volunteers: Presidents or PPC, or members: FORM
Our Health, Our Future, Our Lobby Day: November 18th, Harrisburg
Registration Link: Here:
Social Media Toolkit to advertise: Here
Tentative Agenda for the Day:
9:30 Meet in Rotunda
Two tables in Lobby: Need volunteers to man TBD
Distribution of materials and schedule for attendees
10:00 Press Event on the Steps
Speakers and attendees with signs
11-3 in Capitol or Grace Episcopal Church on State Street
Rage Room
Meetings with Legislators if scheduled
Drop offs at Legislative Offices
Visit Gallery to watch session
Tours of Capitol: 2 slots 1:30 and 2:30
Lunch Vouchers for attendees
Election Update:
Many counties have sent out mail-in ballots, and PA’s version of early voting has started for individuals to go in person to request and complete a ballot on the same day. Must be completed by the close of business on Oct 28th.
The Supreme Court ruled that all counties must complete the form that alerts voters about the errors in their ballots and permits voters to cure them. PA court: Counties must alert voters of mail ballot errors • Spotlight PA
Judicial Elections:
From Fair Districts:
Looking for resources you can share?
Earlier this month we posted two updates on the Fair Districts PA website:
- Judicial retention elections matter for PA redistricting: this provides links to PA Bar Association recommendations, other helpful links, and some materials you can print and share.
- A recent history of the PA Supreme Court’s role in redistricting: this includes graphics of PA congressional maps from 2011, 2018, and 2021.
Here’s an article from Spotlight PA about those misleading mailers: The group behind a misleading mailer targeting the Pa. Supreme Court retention elections.
Legislative Priority Updates:
PA Budget:
No budget but there is belief that it is starting to move with the addition of the minority leaders from the House and the Senate.
Family Care Act: HB 200:
Was removed from the Table so off the calendar for final vote.
We are waiting for an update on when that will happen.
Family Care Coalition Press Event on Oct 29th.
Pay Equity: To Edit Act No. 694 of 1959 – The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly Equal Pay Law
Still in Labor and Industry- No movement since it was introduced
Still in Labor and Industry – No movement since it was introduced
Passed in the House 102-101 on May 5th 2025
Sent to Senate – Labor and Industry: May 16th 2025
Fairness Act:
HB 300 Issues with the religious exemption clauses
SB 150 Partners: WLP and Access matters Support this version
Other:
Workplace Accommodations for Pregnant Workers: SB 276
Several Women’s Health bills that will be covered during the Lobby Day
CHOP Letter: We signed on to protect the privacy of transgender patients.
Higher Ed:
ACLU PA
We’re discussing First Amendment rights on college campuses for this month’s all-member webinar! Vic Walczak, ACLU-PA’s legal director, and Solomon Furious Worlds, ACLU-PA staff attorney, will lead a conversation around our freedom of speech work.
Join us on Thursday, October 23, 12 p.m. to spend time exploring our recent case victory, SJP v. University of Pittsburgh, to highlight these issues in action. Please note: This link will take you to a third-party website, zoom.us.
Colleges weigh whether to sign on to Trump plan or forgo federal benefits
Federal Update:
AAUW Weighs In: Policy Updates – AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881
Latest Two Minute Activists: AAUW Action Network – AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881
An Open Letter Rejecting Presidential Attacks on Nonprofit Organizations
SHARE THIS VOTER GUIDE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY — AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE VOTES!
https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2024/06/Its-My-Vote-2024-Voter-Issue-Guide-English.pdf
2024 Title IX Regulations and State Anti-Discrimination Laws
While recently enacted Title IX regulations have been challenged in federal court, there
is no nationwide injunction precluding enforcement of the regulations. Moreover, an
injunction order issued by a federal court in Kansas v. U.S. Department of Education
does not materially change schools’ obligations to students. Pennsylvania public schools
are still subject to prohibitions on sex discrimination that include gender identity and
expression under Pennsylvania state law and applicable federal regulations.
See Analysis here.
Continue to Protect Rights of Transgender StudentsAAUW in the Statehouse
Supporters like you make a difference in statehouses across the United States. AAUW has activitists in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. who exert significant influence over policy.
The AAUW policy team can help you identify, track and assess current legislation where you live and rally your network to support and oppose proposed bills.
Pennsylvania Equality Pay Law is ranked 32 in the nation!
https://www.aauw.org/act/state/
System Racism and the Pay Gap
Research from the American Association of University Women examines how systemic racism—including decades of discriminatory employment practices, intentionally inadequate legal protections and persistent racial stereotypes—has contributed to a pay gap that remains far wider for women of color than for white women.
Read the report here. https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2021/07/SimpleTruth_4.0-1.pdf
Branch By Laws 2024
Recently, Governor Tom Wolf took action on pay equity by signing an executive order that ends the practice of state agencies requiring a job applicant to provide their salary history during the hiring process. The governor also called on the General Assembly to pass similar protections for all working women in Pennsylvania. When employers ask job candidates about their previous wages and use that information to set pay in a new job, this seemingly innocuous practice can have major repercussions. Salaries should be based on job responsibilities, position, pay range and the applicant’s job knowledge and skills.
It was a great honor for AAUW-PA to be in attendance and have Barbara Price, our Public Policy Co-Chair speak. AAUW-PA was the only outside organization asked to speak. Other speakers besides the Governor were Representatives Maria Donatucci and Brian Sims and Senators Tina Tartaglione and Judy Schwank and Melissa Robbins who shared her story of unequal pay as she did at our Equal Pay Rally in April. The whole ceremony was amazing. Here is a link to the whole ceremony.. Fast forward to 19:53 to see our Pay Equity Super Hero. Her remarks are awesome! (according to Ann Pehle).
1. The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is the gap between what men and women are paid. Most commonly, it refers to the median annual pay of all women who work full time and year-round, compared to the pay of a similar cohort of men. Other estimates of the gender pay gap are based on weekly or hourly earnings, or are specific to a particular group of women.
2. Get Paid What You’re Worth
AAUW’s renowned The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap report finds women are still paid just 80 cents for every dollar paid to a man! We can change that with AAUW’s multipronged economy security initiative: by changing laws, encouraging employers to improve workplace cultures and practices, and empowering women to negotiate to their financial futures by making our Work Smart program available nationwide.
Learn more about Work Smart Online and join the Members Mobilize a Million Challenge.
Additional Resources: Use the tools on the Members Mobilize a Million Social Media pageto get the word out in your newsletters, on your websites, and in your social media posts
3. AAUW Action Fund Congressional Voting Record
The CVR provides information about senators’ and representatives’ co-sponsorship and votes. Each legislator is scored based on their record on AAUW priorities, which were decided on the basis of the AAUW Public Policy Program, adopted by AAUW members. These priorities include equal pay, education, campus sexual assault, campaign finance, human trafficking, and reproductive rights. The CVR is distributed to every member of Congress.
2024 Conference
Our theme, “Evolution of the Fight: Looking Back to Move Forward,” will highlight AAUW’s achievements within the broader context of the women’s movement. The conference will be held at the Best Western Premier: The Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg on April 5th -7th, 2024.
Keynote speakers include:
- Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
- Dr. Kimberly S. Adams, Board of Directors for AAUW National and National Organization for Women (NOW); and
- Gisele Barreto Fetterman, Nonprofit Founder, Hugger, Dreamer
Below are important reservation and registration deadlines:
In order to receive the AAUW room rate please call 717-561-1086 and use the room block name “American Association of University Women” when making your reservation.
The room rate is $133.15 inclusive ($119.95 plus 11% taxes) for either a single or double room. You will be asked to provide a credit card to make your reservation. To guarantee room availability and the conference rate, you must make your room reservation no later than March 5th.
Please visit https://thecentralhotelharrisburg.com for information on hotel amenities.
Conference Registration (register by Friday March 15th)
Options and pricing are below:
- Full conference (includes all meals and program for Friday, Saturday and Sunday): $190
- Friday-Saturday (includes all meals and programs for Friday and Saturday); $160
- Saturday only (includes all meals and programs for Saturday): $110
To register please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024-ConferenceRegistration
You can pay by credit card or PayPal using our PayPal link provided or by check postmarked before March 15, 2024 made payable to AAUW PA and mailed to Ann Echols, 181 Winesap Dr, Port Matilda, PA 16870.
Registration fees will increase by 18% after March 15th and onsite registration will not be available.