What does it Mean to the Naperville Area Branch?

United We Stand – these three words set the tone for the rest of AAUW’s diversity statement. The focus is on access and support for all members of the community regardless of their background or identity. But what do these grand and lofty principles actually mean to the Naperville Area Branch? Let’s discuss the ideals based within our branch’s top public policy priorities. 

Freedom From Violence

Freedom from violence and the fear of violence is key to economic security. Fearing for your safety impacts all aspects of life – feeling safe in schools, workplaces, homes, and neighborhoods, ensures that ALL members of our community are able to actively participate in life. 

At the national level, AAUW moves these principles forward by supporting policies that will end gender-based violence; one such measure is advocating for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. At our branch we advocate for state and local laws that will reduce violence through gun regulations, protections for transgender women and girls and to strengthen protections for women of color. There are many ways our branch goes about advocating for these actions, from contacting elected officials asking them to support legislation to holding rallies and working in coalitions with partner organizations. 

Voting Rights

Our democracy hangs in the balance, as more rights are being removed from all of us. For a democracy to be truly representative of the country, everyone must be able to fully participate. A key element of the AAUW Diversity Statement is expanding voting rights, promoting equitable political participation regardless of background, location, or identity. 

At our branch we are working in coalition with aligned organizations across Illinois to protect the free open elections we currently enjoy. Our branch also works to help bring marginalized and historically excluded communities to the polling place by supporting get out the vote initiatives (post card writing and in person register to vote activities). We also work to educate our community about the historic importance of the right to vote and why it is so vital to keep protecting and expanding that right.

LGBTQIA+ Rights

The LGBTQIA+ community is disproportionately impacted by discrimination in schools, workplaces, and public life. AAUW’s diversity statement points to the importance of advocating for the civil and constitutional rights of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and all other identities (LGBTQIA+) neighbours. Until the barriers have been removed and all LGBTQIA+ members are able to enjoy the same rights and freedoms as their fellows there is still much work to be done. 

In our branch, in addition to our members who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we are visible allies, and by being vocal allies of the trans community when they are unfairly attacked. We fulfil these ideals as active supporters of the annual Naper PRIDE fest and the Bolingbrook PRIDE festival. We also speak out in letters, city council meetings, school board meetings, to ensure our fellow community members are not unfairly targeted by bullies. We work to educate the branch on different issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community to strengthen our own abilities as allies.