9 Days of Gratitude

Day 6

With Gratitude for these benchmarks……… a reprint from AAUW

“The American Association of University Women would like to pause this Thanksgiving to give thanks for the many wonderful opportunities and advancements for women and girls during 2010. Here are just a handful of them”

· The increased number of female ambassadors to the United States. Twenty-five of 182 ambassadors in Washington are women, a fivefold increase since the late 1990s.

· The equal opportunities in the Navy for women to serve, and for all the women and men who serve our country in the military. For the first time ever, women will serve on submarines next year.

· Equal Rights Advocates in California fighting on behalf of female UC Davis students for increased opportunities in sports, and for the ACLU of Louisiana for contesting sex segregation in public schools. These Title IX advocates are increasing opportunities for girls and women everywhere.

· First Lady Michelle Obama for highlighting the epidemic of childhood obesity. Mrs. Obama is encouraging active families, schools, and communities, and promoting smart decisions about eating right through the “Let’s Move Campaign”

· Title IX legal victory in Michigan by a student who underwent years of bullying because his school failed to protect him and for the Justice Department lawyers in New York interpreting Title IX to cover discrimination based on gender stereotypes; the Civil Rights Division applied the law to a case on behalf of an effeminate teenage boy beaten up for his demeanor.

· The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s effort to combat the growing public health issue of teen dating violence, which included the release of an interactive web-based training for educators and others working with teens.

· The AAUW research report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which explains the shortage of women in STEM fields. The acclaimed report received nationwide coverage in publications like New York Times, Washington Post, and TIME magazine.

· The first female president of Harvard University, Drew Gilpin Faust. Since she has begun to serve, Harvard has seen a record number of women among its faculty.

· The 40 % drop in the global maternal mortality rate since 1980 and the continued attention maternal health is receiving as part of the Global Health Initiative and from a UN Millennium Development Goals.

· The many, many tireless supporters of the Paycheck Fairness Act and pay equity in the workforce, like Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the House sponsor of the bill that was barely defeated in the Senate.

· The historic passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. After years of advocacy led primarily by immigrant women of color, New York State's more than 200,000 domestic workers will be entitled to basic workplace protections including paid sick time, vacation days and overtime pay.

· The 90^th anniversary of the 19^th amendment.

· Julia Gillard, the first female prime minister of Australia, and for Dilma Rousseff, who will become the first female president on January 1, 2011 of Brazil.

· The creation of UN Women, or the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, headed by former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. The entity will work to aid member states in successfully reaching their goals on gender equality and enhance the empowerment women worldwide.

· The confirmation of Justice Elena Kagan as the fourth woman to serve on the Supreme Court; a third of the high court is now female for the first time in history.

· The first provisions of the new health care law kicked in this year, many of which specifically support women, including a focus on the health of children, lifetime caps, and free preventive care.

· The United States rising significantly in the World Economic Forum2010 Global Gender Gap Report rankings from 31st last year to 19th this year, the first time the United States has been in the top 20 since the report began five years ago.

· The publication of AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund Program Manager Holly Kearl Stop Street Harassment: Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming for Women and the Secrets of Powerful Women: Leading Change for a New Generation