I have a great job, working for an amazing group with a worthwhile mission — AAUW. But these past few days, I’ve been unnecessarily distracted from that critical work as I responded to the blatant fraud perpetrated against this esteemed, 128-year-old charitable membership organization.
It seems that Bonner & Associates, a grassroots lobbying firm hired by corporate interests with deep pockets, has used AAUW’s good name — and those of other well-known organizations — in fraudulent letters to members of Congress. They did this under the auspices of the Hawthorn Group and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity to further the coal industry’s lobbying against the Clean Energy and Security Act — also known as cap and trade. Ironically, this is not even a policy area in which AAUW advocates.
In this act of forgery, an agent of Bonner & Associates manufactured a nonexistent Charlottesville AAUW Branch, used the AAUW logo, and sent at least one letter to a Virginia congressman asking him to vote against this legislation. According to press accounts, the businesses involved knew of the fraudulent letters at least two days before the House voted on the cap and trade bill but neglected to inform the House offices about the fraudulent letters until weeks later — well after what proved to be a very close vote.
This incident of forgery is an outright deception and represents a blatant lack of ethics — which is why AAUW fully supports Rep. Edward J. Markey’s (D-MA) investigation into this matter. Because of our nationwide, multi-partisan membership, AAUW’s influence is significant, as evidenced by the fact that corporate lobbyists tried to use our good name to unfairly sway a piece of energy legislation. How dare they attempt to take advantage of our dedicated members, our good work, our solid reputation? When members of Congress receive a letter from an AAUW member, it is critical that they feel confident that they are being contacted by a real person who is committed to the mission of AAUW — not a phony who is trying to undermine the principles of our representative democracy.
AAUW has worked a long time to build our good reputation and keep our name untarnished. Our members have used their collective voices to break through barriers for women and girls. The notion that someone would come along and co-opt that name, or attempt to harness that collective voice under false lights, is a breathtaking deceit. And so AAUW has responded to set the record straight. AAUW is a community of women who will not be made into victims.
Lisa, once again you have demonstrated how valuable you are to our organization and how lucky we are to have you fighting for and representing us. Linda, too.
Lisa,
In a way your responses to the fraudulent letter by Bonner & Associates has been a distraction. Seen in another light, it’s a real opportunity to share with the public what AAUW is about and how it goes about its mission. Keep up your tremendous work–wherever it takes you!
Thanks Lisa, and Linda Hallman, for being on top of this with a quick and measured response. One of our greatest strengths as an organization is the reality that we’ve always worked from Facts. In this era of angry talk show hosts and shoddy reporting, a voice of reason is needed more than ever. I’d love to credit this quote, but I can’t remember where I read it…”Belligerence is the currency of the intellectually bankrupt.”
Thanks, Lisa and Nancy, for your comments. This situation really should remind everyone of the power of the grassroots — AAUW’s strength — and the importance of using our collective voice for the issues that mean the most to us and our mission. It is this power that has made us successful for more than 128 years.
And thanks, Lisa, for all you’ve done to make the AAUW name one worth forging!
Well said Lisa. I especially loved your closing line:
“AAUW is a community of women who will not be made into victims.”