OCTOBER 2008

Check out the Waukegan Area Branch at this month's events!

"Women Who Shield and Protect Us" is the theme of this year's Lake County Women's Coalition Tea/Luncheon, 1:00pm, Sunday, October 5, at the Country Squire Banquet Facility, Grayslake, Illinois. As a founding member of LCWC, the Waukegan Area Branch of AAUW is proud to participate and support a scholarship for returning female students at the College of Lake County.

The topical Michael Clayton will be the film for discussion by the At the Movies Interest Group, 7:00pm, Monday, October 6 at the home of the hostess.

"Civil Rights Women" will be addressed by gender equity analyst Barbara Zeitz at this month's general meeting, 7:00pm, Tuesday, October 14, at the Waukegan Public Library. The presentation will be a close examination of women and civil rights issues through the lens of the law and court cases. Contributions of celebrated women will also be highlighted.

The Book Review Interest Group will meet 1:00pm, Thursday, October 16, at the home of the hostess.

The branch board will have its monthly meeting 7:00pm, Thursday, October 23, at the home of the hostess.

"Colors We Have Seen" is the theme for this month's meeting of the Travelogue Interest Group, 7:00pm, Tuesday, October 28, at the home of the hostess.


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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

AAUW-IL, Inc., Districts 4 & 5 Fall Conference

Saturday morning, November 8

College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn

This year's theme is Breaking Through Barriers.

For more information go to http://aauw-il.org/.

AAUW: New U.N. Status

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2008
Contact: Lisa Goodnight, 202-785-7738, goodnightl@aauw.org

AAUW Gains Special Consultative Status with U.N. Council
WASHINGTON – AAUW has gained special consultative status at the United Nations with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which initiates reports, makes recommendations, and promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

For many years, AAUW has had a U.N. representative attending select meetings and monitoring issues affecting women and girls. The new designation allows AAUW to participate in international conferences, sign on to NGO statements, and share AAUW’s expertise.

“We closely follow a variety of international issues ranging from girls’ education to women’s economic security to human rights to women in peacekeeping,” said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. “This new status will strengthen AAUW’s presence globally and provide us with greater opportunities to engage in U.N.-related activities and initiatives that break through barriers for women and girls.”

AAUW has a proud history in global affairs that includes awarding more than 2,200 international fellowships to women from more than 130 countries and partnering with leading international humanitarian organizations on initiatives to empower women.
Next year, AAUW will actively advocate for women at the 53rd session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, which will focus on the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS.

“AAUW can now advocate more effectively and support policies aimed at strengthening gender equality, especially in the areas of the economic, social, political, and reproductive health rights of women and girls,” said Carolyn Donovan, AAUW’s U.N. representative.
Currently, AAUW is encouraging its branches to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10 and to continue supporting ratification of the women’s rights treaty—the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

“AAUW members have long supported our efforts, from hosting international visitors to initiating forums and symposia on global issues pertinent to women and girls,” said Gloria L. Blackwell, AAUW’s director of fellowships, grants, and international programs. “We are thrilled that our role is expanding.”


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. It has a nationwide network of nearly 100,000 members, 1,300 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners. Since its founding 127 years ago, AAUW has 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 its public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections.

AAUW: Breaking through Barriers