Public Policy

Public Policy priorities underscore AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

We support:

• A strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity
• Economic self-sufficiency for all women
• Equality, individual rights, and social justice for all women

Political Action

Although AAUW is nonpartisan, it is political and supports public policy legislation. The Public Policy Committee follows relevant bills while the Oregon legislature is in session, contacting legislators with support or disapproval. Updates on the current legislative action are available and State legislative priorities are available on the State website. Click below for more information.

AAUW  OF OREGON  PUBLIC POLICY ACTION PRIORITIES
2024 – 2026

1. Support a quality fully funded K-12 and higher public education system
2. Advocate for racial, ethnic, and gender equity/representation/economic security
3. Support health care for all Oregonians
4. Protection of our democracy
5. Expanding our influence through collaborations with like-minded organization and individuals

All Politics Are Local

Our Public Policy Team believes that all politics are local. That’s why we have long been involved in issues affecting our local community.

We are focused on the following issues:

VOTER EDUCATION: Since Ashland elects non-partisan officials, each election year
Public Policy sponsors a City Council and/ or Ashland School Board candidate
forum for the general public. Sometimes this event is co-sponsored with another
non-profit organization.

KNOW YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS: Each year, Ashland Public Policy sponsors the
January Branch meeting. We invite our local elected officials: Mayor, City
Councilors, District 5 State Representative or District 2 State Senator. The City
officials discuss local issues and the state officials update us on their priorities for
the upcoming legislative session that starts in February each year.

ADVOCACY FOR LEGISLATION: We work with AAUW of Oregon Public Policy
members to review state legislation, determine which bills AAUW supports (or
opposes) and work to provide testimony to convince legislators to pass (or not
pass) the legislation. We monitor bills as they pass through each chamber and on to the Governor’s desk for signature.


BE A TWO-MINUTE ACTIVIST!

Did you know you can send emails and texts to your legislators to fight for many of the issues that are supported by AAUW? You provide the voice, AAUW will provide the megaphone. AAUW gives you the tools you need to call or send messages to your members of Congress, contact your state legislators about pressing issues, and more.

It Only Takes Two Minutes!

Join AAUW in urging Congress to improve and expand legislation protecting our civil rights, economic security, and access to education.

To find out more, please visit the website. https://www.aauw.org/act/two-minute-activist/