The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls. Since our founding in 1881, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.
Our Mission
Gender Equity & Economic Security
We’ve led the fight for fair pay and economic opportunity for women — and the battle continues: Women still get just 83 cents for every dollar paid to a man, and men continue to dominate the top roles and highest-paying professions.
Our Values
Intersectional. Inclusive. Intergenerational. Empowering.
Though we are nonpartisan, we are not values-neutral: We fight to remove the barriers and biases that stand in the way of gender equity. We train women to negotiate for pay and benefits and to pursue leadership roles. And we advocate for federal, state and local laws and policies to ensure equity and end discrimination.
A Legacy of Empowering Women
AAUW’s story begins in 1881, when a small group of female college graduates banded together to open the doors for women’s career advancement and to encourage more women to pursue higher education.
We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. In many ways, the fight for gender equity is just getting started. Join us!
Over the past 140 years, AAUW has evolved to become the leading voice in advancing gender equity in education and workplaces everywhere. Through research, education and advocacy, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone gets the same opportunity to learn, earn and lead. Our programs aim at moving women forward—and we fight for policies that support our goals.
For more information about the AAUW Aurora Area Branch, email aauwaurorail@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook at AAUW Aurora – IL Area Branch.
Our branch’s programs, from the monthly Bookin’ It Study Group and Movie Group, to the monthly General Meetings, focus on the AAUW Mission:
Removing Bias from Education
Fighting for Fair Pay
Advancing Women in Leadership
Learn more about branch activities in our Highlights newsletter.
The Fight for Fair Pay
The pay gap tends to be larger for women of color and in some cases the gap appears to be widening. Compared to white, non-Hispanic men:
- Latinas make 57 cents on the dollar.
- Native women make 59 cents on the dollar.
- Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) women make 65 cents on the dollar.*
- Black women make 69 cents on the dollar.
- Asian women make 99 cents on the dollar.
For women working full-time, year-round. Data from 2022 Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic (ASEC) Supplement and 2022 American Community Survey (ACS), released September 2023.
*Note: Data from 2021. Pay gap for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) women will be updated with data set to be released in November 2023.
