AAUW is strictly non-partisan, but it does take a position on public policies. Our Legislative priorities are set with member feedback, including a survey of our membership.

Our 2023 Legislative Agenda is now available. Click here to learn about the bills we support this Legislative Session.

Maryland Public Policy

AAUW Maryland’s Public Policy Co-Vice Presidents are Debby Chessin and Roxann King. Our Public Policy positions are guided by the AAUW Policy Center.

AAUW is a member of the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW), a statewide coalition of women’s groups and individuals formed to provide a non-partisan, independent, voice for Maryland women and families. The group advocates for progressive legislation and policy that promotes and protects the well being of Maryland women and their families and provides them opportunities to develop their full potential.

AAUW Maryland is also participating in collective advocacy on behalf of Maryland Women and their families as a member of the following coalitions:

• Maryland Women’s Coalition for Health Care Reform.
  Bills the Coalition supports.
• Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition
• MCASA- Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
  It’s legislative agenda.

National Issues

For more than a century, AAUW has influenced legislative debate on critical issues such as education, Social Security, sex discrimination, civil rights, reproductive choice, affirmative action, Title IX, welfare reform, vocational education, pay equity, family and medical leave, and health care reform.

Currently, AAUW is focused on Pay equity. Paid family leave. Title IX. Lowering student debt. Stopping sexual harassment.

As a non-partisan organization, AAUW doesn’t endorse specific candidates. But that doesn’t mean we’re not advocates for the policies that matter most to us. Indeed, we have a long history of championing policies that advance equality for women in education and the workplace.

Advocacy is about AAUW members and all citizens concerned with equality and being knowledgeable and aware of the current status of important issues. AAUW compiles current information and resources for as many issues as possible to provide central issue pages that offer the freshest information and most effective avenues for action on issues important to you.

Public Policy Resources for Branches

• Voter Registration
• Two-Minute Activist – Interactive resource for speaking out about today’s hot issue.
• Voter Education Campaign – Election year campaigns to educate women voters on critical issues and encourage them to register and vote.

The AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps – AAUW relies on the Capitol Hill Lobby Corps to effectively promote AAUW’s public policy program by actively lobbying federal policymakers. They advance AAUW’s mission of equity and education for all women and girls. Since 1972, the Lobby Corps has visited tens of thousands of congressional offices. Members lobby quarterly. New Lobby Corps members are paired with experienced members, allowing time for new members to comfortably improve their skills.  If you are interested in learning more about the Lobby Corps, at www.aauwaction.org/lobby-corps/.