AAUW Farmington Michigan
Ninety-eight years after the 19th Amendment gave women the vote, the 2018 mid-term election was the year of the women. Consider, that 9 women were elected to governorships, 11 women elected to US Senate, 102 women elected to US House and 2,019 women were elected to state offices. Another plus is that the elected men and women in 2018 represent a very diverse, inclusive group.
With the 2020 election looming it is vital to maintain the energy level evident in the 2018 mid-term election. The ongoing changes in voting restrictions make it vital to verify that you are registered and to locate your polling place. To do this use the links below AND VOTE.
Find your voting information at:
https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/MVIC/
https://www.apnews.com/e30f0334da7d4186bed7079f4188ac3b
AAUW FARMINGTON BOARD MEMBERS
• CO-PRESIDENTS
DIANE HAGUE
TERRY KLENCZAR
• PROGRAM VPS
SANDRA CATHERMAN
PATTY SOMA
• FINANCE VP
CAROL POSBY
• MEMBERSHIP VP
HILARY MAHON
• RECORDING SECRETARY
SANDY COLEMAN
• CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
BARBARA DEGRAZIA
A forgotten forerunner:
In 1851, in Manhattan, still very racist, Elizabeth Jenkins tried to board a horse drawn street car reserved for whites only. Trolleys were legally required to allow blacks to ride on a white trolley if they were sober, respectably dressed, respectful and no white passengers objected.
On a Sunday on her way to church Ms. Jenkins met that criteria. She was ordered off the car but refused to leave. The trolley moved to the police station where she was forcefully removed and pushed to the ground resulting in bruises and damage to her clothes. Her wealthy family were activists and she and her father decided to sue in civil court. Her activism was rare for women at that time. They could only find a young, new attorney to take the case. His name - Chester A. Arthur.
They won the case forcing all trolley lines to obey the law. Ms. Jennings was a teacher and founded the first kindergarten in New York.
A small plaque in the area is honors her contributions.
AAUW ACTION NETWORK
Minimum wage workers including women need a raise. The federal minimum wage hasn’t changed in a decade, and the tipped minimum wage has been frozen for an astonishing 28 years. And because women make up the majority of minimum wage workers nationwide, their economic security is at stake. The House Education and Labor Committee is discussing legislation that would increase the minimum wage. Click here to urge your members of Congress to fight for working women by supporting the Raise the Wage Act!
The Paycheck Fairness Act is essential to eradicating practices that have perpetuated the pay gap for far too long. In 2019, the idea that we still don’t have equal pay for equal work is nothing short of outrageous. AAUW urged the 116th Congress to take this important step towards pay equity with the swift passage of the bill. On February 26, the House Education and Labor Committee advanced the Act to the House Floor for passage.
AAUW’S MISSION
To advance equity for women and girl’s through
advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
AAUW Websites:
National AAUW aauw.org
Michigan AAUW aauwmi.org
Farmington AAUW aauwfarmingtonmi.org