AAUW Dialog

I was asked to provide “reporter on the spot” tweets of Lilly Ledbetter and Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s (D-CT) speeches during the 2009 AAUW National Convention. I thought it might be fun here to repeat the tweets (messages) of these two great ladies, abbreviated words and all. If you are not on Twitter yet, get on it — there’s a whole lot of history being recorded by this new communication tool. (If you are on Twitter, use #AAUW09 to follow all tweets.)

Here are my actual, live tweets from Lilly Ledbetter’s speech. She hit the stage Friday afternoon, starting 1:30 p.m.

• Beginning of AAUW Convention — where Lilly Ledbetter will be speaking #AAUW09\
• The imp of the singular person — the one person who takes it for the team, in this case women! Intro to Ledbetter #AAUW09
• Ledbetter tells us her story — after being at White House to sign bill, in restaurant, waitress asks why r u in Wall Street Journal. #AAUW0C
• Waitress and other hotel staff paid her bills bec of what her acts meant to them. They felt honored to do so. #AAUW09
• Lilly Ledbetter — “When I am with AAUW, I am with family.” #AAUW09
• Ledbetter — As much as I’m glad I’m here at #AAUW09, I wish I wasn’t bec I never wanted to be the subject of inequity. (Paraphrased)
• Ledbetter tells of her story, told “If u discuss your pay [with other employees] you’ll not work here.” She sued Goodyear for pay discrimination in 1998. #AAUA09
• Began long path of appeals — all way to Supreme Court. #AAUA09
• Supreme Court gave poor ruling (read about it) but Lilly wouldn’t stop. 18 months to get new bill in Congress. #AAUW09
• When talking to 4th graders—a girl asked how did it feel to get pd less then the men? If a 4th grader gets it, why doesn’t corp Am? #aauw09
• AAUW never let up — thru your efforts, this bill got passed and signed. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. WH had AAUW in front row. #aauw09
• But while Ledbetter is thrilled at the bill, “our work is not done, I told Obama that day.” Must still pass Paycheck Fairness Act. #aauw09
• True test of a person — not what happens to u but how we react. Injustice needs action. #aauw09

Rosa DeLauro’s speech:

• The tweeting continued Saturday morning…
• Inspired by listening to Rep. Rosa De Lauro (D-CT) #aauw09
• “I’m humbled to be here today,” DeLauro tells attendees @ #aauw09 As pioneers, we stand on your shoulders so that we may do the right thing.
• DeLauro tells #aauw09 “No one does it better than AAUW.”
• DeLauro “Lilly Ledbetter is one of my heroines — she raised issue of pay equity to a national discourse.” #aauw09
• “I was like a bad toothache” DeLauro talking @ her tenacity with other Reps when getting co-sponsors for Paycheck Fairness Act #aauw09
• “AAUW is so effective since you have a presence in every state — that is critical.” DeLauro tells #aauw09
• “We meet today at pivotal point w/ econ environ, new pres, new emboldened Congress — believe in trusting but believe in verifying.” RDL #aauw09
• “This #aauw09 conf is @ breaking barriers as a community and as a catalyst to make things happen in Wash DC.” DeLauro tells approx 1,000 mbrs
• DeLauro 1st introduced Paycheck Fairness Act 12 yrs ago — 1st hearing of this just last year. #aauw09
• “I think of Title IX, AAUW and Patsy Mink — on behalf of not just women in sports but 4 all Americans in higher educ.” RDL #aauw09
• Also Healthy Families Act needs action. Hv 110 co-sponsors on Hill, need 218. So contact your Rep now. DeLauro #aauw09
• “Do not underestimate the power of big ideas. As I look around #aauw09, I feel we can do it.” DeLauro