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.

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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.

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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: