AAUW Applauds Shriver, Center for American Progress on Report Release

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AAUW has provided detailed policy recommendations that will help society's institutions catch up with the women's progress detailed in The Shriver Report-A Woman's Nation Changes Everything. AAUW's recommendations on a variety of subject areas, including pay equity, work-life balance, and education, can be found at www.aauw.org/womansnation.

A Woman's Nation emphasizes one of the most remarkable changes of the past half century: the movement of millions of women into paid employment. Women now make up half of all workers in the United States, a stunning shift from just a few generations ago.

"There hasn't been a comprehensive account of the status of women in more than 45 years," said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "Given the nation's rather complicated economic situation, this report could not have come at a better time. AAUW is taking the lead on providing policy recommendations and grassroots action items for our members and others who are interested in issues affecting working women. These recommendations are aimed at continuing to improve women's status and strengthening the economic security of their families."

The report highlights the rise of women in the workforce while emphasizing that working women and their families lack critical supports. An opinion poll linked to the report found that women and men both want to change social norms to improve family and economic security, particularly on issues of balancing work and life.

"Women have broken through many barriers in the last 45 years, but there is still much to be done to adequately respond to women's-and men's-changing roles. We only need to look at the stark reality for working women who are simultaneously caring for children or parents to know this is true," said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. "Even though there are laws on the books to promote equity in education and income, it does not necessarily mean that those laws are enforced and that women are being given a fair chance. CAP's timely report and AAUW's policy recommendations help bring those subjects to the forefront as women move forward in true, equal partnership with men."

The report is divided into various chapters, each focusing on its own topic area. AAUW is providing policy recommendations for five chapters, including education and pay equity, because we believe that the laws and regulations about work must be updated to meet the needs of today's workers. In the area of education, AAUW is advocating to strengthen the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), to improve access to higher education, and to ensure educational equity through Title IX. To advance pay equity, AAUW is focusing on building on the successful passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by enacting the Paycheck Fairness Act, advancing pay equity within the federal government, and improving and advancing equal opportunity in the workplace. For a detailed listing of policy recommendations, visit www.aauw.org/womansnation.

AAUW is especially pleased to note that one of the co-editors of the report, Heather Boushey, is a former AAUW Fellow. "It's immensely gratifying to AAUW members, who have been supporting our fellowships and grants for more than 121 years, to see their support of women scholars come to such amazing fruition," said Hallman. "Boushey is a senior economist at the Center for American Progress and a well-known expert on women and the economy." In addition, AAUW Senior Researcher Catherine Hill provided peer review support for the chapter on education.

To schedule an interview with an AAUW spokesperson, please contact Katherine Broendel at 202/728-7607 or broendelk@aauw.org, or Katharine Burnham at 202/466-9633 or Katharine@turnerstrategies.com.

Read The Shriver Report - A Woman's Nation Changes Everything at http://awomansnation.com.

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation's leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of nearly 100,000 members, more than 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university partners. Since AAUW's founding more than 128 years ago, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day - educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW's commitment to educational equity is reflected in our public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections.

Visit the AAUW website at www.aauw.org.

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