Last year we began a tradition by reflecting upon what we had to be grateful for in 2008. While we take a short break for the Thanksgiving holiday, we hope you enjoy this year’s edition.
We’re thankful for all the individuals and organizations fighting — or even just raising awareness about — sexual and gender-based violence across the globe. By working together, we can change the quality of life for women and girls everywhere.
We’re thankful for individuals in the United States and globally who recognize the need to keep women’s issues in the forefront and who are taking action!
After 10 years in the making, we’re thankful for the passage of hate crimes legislation that strengthens a federal law and covers sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability.
We’re thankful for the leadership of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), who championed many of AAUW’s issues — including pay equity, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the minimum wage increase, education, and civil rights — throughout his 47 years of service in the Senate.
We’re thankful that a woman’s place is not only in the House but in the Senate, the governor’s mansion, and state legislatures.
We’re thankful for Lilly Ledbetter.
We’re thankful for women breaking through the glass, brass, and stained glass ceilings and those who are breaking through barriers so that other women will have a chance.
We’re thankful that we’re closer than ever to meaningful health care reform. It will be such a relief when, if you get sick, you only need to worry about getting better, not how you are going to pay for treatment.
We’re thankful for being employed.
We’re thankful that AAUW is building the pipeline for future female political leaders.
We’re thankful for the AAUW National Student Advisory Council and all the good work they’re doing on their campuses.
We’re thankful for the amazing college and university administrators and AAUW member leaders who attended our first-annual college/university luncheon!
We’re thankful for the generous contributions of AAUW members and donors who made it possible to award more than $3 million in fellowships and grants to advance educational and professional opportunities for women.
We’re thankful that AAUW is using Twitter to highlight women in history, since so many didn’t/don’t receive recognition.
We’re thankful that AAUW is using its presence online to get the word out about issues affecting women and children.
And last, but certainly not least, we’re thankful for you, our readers.
Happy holidays and see you next week!
