April 24 is Equal Pay Day

Tomorrow,April 24, is Equal Pay Day, the annual symbolic day on which women's average wages catch up to men's from the previous yearand a new American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation report, Behind the Pay Gap, is being released. The report shows that, just one year out of college, women working full time earn only 80 percent of what their male counterparts earn even when they work in the same field. Ten years after graduation, the gap widens, with women earning only 69 percent of men’s wages with less authority in the workplace compared to their male counterparts. The report is being released on

Even after controlling for hours, occupation, parenthood, and other factors known to affect earnings, the new AAUW research indicates that one-quarter of the pay gap remains unexplained and is likely due to sex discrimination. This disparity is disturbing more than 40 years after passage of the Equal Pay Act.

Pay equity is essential to the long-term economic security of women and our families. Pay disparities affect women of all ages, races, and education levels–regardless of their family decisions. A lifetime of lower wages means women have less income for their families today and less savings for retirement tomorrow.

According to another AAUW Educational Foundation report, Gains in Learning, Gaps in Earnings, with college-educated women in Texas earning 71% of college-educated men's earnings, Texas is ranked 38th in the country for the size of its pay gap college educated workers.

I believe that equal pay for equal work is a simple matter of justice for women. The members of our state’s Congressional delegation should support legislation such as the Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act to close loopholes in current equal pay laws and help close the gender wage gap. As Equal Pay Day and the AAUW Educational Foundation report remind us, equity is still an issue.

Interviews on the Behind the Pay Gap report will air on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and CBS Early Morning tomorrow. All shows start at 7:00 a.m. EDT, though it is not known the exact air-time of the segment. Be sure to tune if you can.

For more information, check out http://www.aauw.org/research/statedata/index.cfm and/or

A Tribute to Georgia Kidwell

One of the highest honors an AAUW member can have is to have an AAUW Educational Foundation grant or fellowship named for her. I was privileged to attend the Northeast Tarrant County Branch meeting during which time they recognized their member, Georgia Kidwell, with a completed Research and Projects Grant in her name. The branch worked very hard to raise the $35,000 required and now the grant will provide funds to branches across the nation from now on.

Pictured from right to left is Mary Duboise, AAUW TX Educational Foundation Vice President; Georgia Kidwell; Priscilla Mowinkel, AAUW TX Membership Vice President; and Linda Conger.

Congratulations to the Northeast Tarrant County branch for their great fundraising! And, congratulations to Georgia Kidwell, a very deserving honoree!

Tarrant County Branch Wine Tasting and Silent Auction

Carl and I attended a wonderful fundraiser in Fort Worth on Sunday, April 15. The Tarrant County Branch conducted a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction at the beautiful Sanford House B&B (pictured far left). Tickets were $35 which gave each attendee tastes of three different wines and appropriate snacks for each wine. Many Fort Worth businesses contributed items for the silent auction: gift certificates, beautiful books, one-of-a-kind items of clothing (check out the stunning jacket in the bottom picture), and other wonderful treasures.

The venue was beautiful and conducive to visiting, relaxing, enjoying, and spending :-)

Many kudos to event chair Mary Bailey (far right in the bottom picture), Sally McCracken (far left), Randi Thistlethwaite (center), and all the members of the Tarrant County Branch who made this event a resounding success!

Branches Are People Too!

As I travel around Texas and visit various branches, I am more and more aware that branches have individual personalities -- just like people do. Some are innovative and energetic; others are more laid back. Some welcome guests with open arms; others are more reserved. Some are gregarious and fun-loving; others are more serious.

Whatever the personality, I find most Texas branches to be committed to the AAUW mission and dedicated to moving it forward!

So, if you visit a branch that doesn't fit your personality, visit another one in the area. Of, if that is not option, consider joining as a member of AAUW TX until you find a branch that feels right for you.

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

A friend sent this to me and I want to send it to all the teachers out there -- thank you for what you make!


The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided their best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began.)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 minutes without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, because we live in the United States of America.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high.

You want to know what I make? I make a difference. What do you make?"

There Is much truth in this statement: "Teachers make every other profession."