My dear friends,
In these uncertain and polarized times, AAUW members are united by our mission “to advance equity for women and girls.” Indeed, equity is the fundamental core of our organization. Founded in 1881, AAUW takes pride in “a legacy that refuses to back down” and its clear message that “equity is not negotiable.” After all, equity is a guiding principle that supports fairness, impartiality, and justice for all individuals, ideally transcending partisan inclinations.
On September 18, I finally had the time to attend my first AAUW webinar and came away with a more informed picture of AAUW’s updated strategic plan and its focused approach to our mission. Essentially, three pillars comprise the strategic plan—education, economic security, and social justice and civil rights.
Education, especially higher education, plays a central role in AAUW’s legislative program. Since AAUW’s inception, higher education has been a game-changer for women, preparing them for positions in fields sometimes dominated by men (especially STEM fields) and opening doors to leadership positions. With rapid changes occurring in education policies, AAUW is reviewing rulemaking at the US Department of Education. Universities and institutions of higher learning are often on the front line responding to new directives, not all of them supportive of our mission. From my personal experience, a university fellowship I helped to establish with some of my classmates to honor a woman trailblazer in the city management profession can no longer have as its purpose assisting women pursuing a similar interest. In other words, I can make a personal financial donation to the university, but I cannot designate the purpose of my gift to advancing the careers of women. Strangely enough, over 50 years ago I received a fellowship from the same university established for the same purpose.
Economic Security is often linked to women possessing a post-secondary degree and earning higher wages, hence the deep connection between education and economic security. Of course, equitable pay has long been a concern of women, especially women of color. However, recent employment statistics are raising questions about why women are leaving the workplace. Using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, TIME magazine reported in its August 5, 2025 issue that 212,000 women ages 20 and over have left the workforce since January. Over the same period, 44,000 men entered the workforce. The article states that “the numbers show a reversal of recent trends that saw women, especially women with children, finding and keeping full-time jobs.” Trends that may be influencing this reversal range from increased childcare costs to speculation that a stagnant job market is leading more women to continue their education. More information is needed to understand if this is a short- or long-term trend.
Social Justice and Civil Rights issues, from workplace safety to voting, have always been important to AAUW. Recognition of the national Equal Rights Amendment has been an AAUW goal for over five decades. Recently, the Safeguard American Voting Eligibility (S.A.V.E.) Act, a bill with provisions that could adversely impact access for some women to vote, was delayed in the US Senate. AAUW indicates that this delay was influenced, in part, by constituent letters from AAUW members expressing their concerns. Communication with our legislators can and does make a difference.
Reflecting on AAUW’s three pillars, we have begun an amazing 2025-26 program year with exceptional presentations that offer a broad context for advancing equity for women and girls. My thanks to all members who have worked to bring us an informative array of past and future speakers. Similarly, your willingness and support for exploring partnerships with the League of Women Voters-St. Paul and YWCA-St. Paul provides new avenues for those interested in putting our mission in action.
I encourage every member to make your voice heard on behalf of our mission in whatever way works best for you. Some members may choose to send letters or emails to legislators, while others might attend rallies, make phone calls, or share their perspectives with friends and acquaintances. There will undoubtedly be differences of opinion among us, but it is important that we move forward together, united in our commitment to advancing equity for women and girls. By actively participating in these efforts, we help to make democracy work and lead by example in our communities.
My best to all,
Sharon Klumpp, AAUW St. Paul President 2024-2026
President@aauwstpaul.org
Posted: 10/10/25