AAUW volunteers are Lois Graham, Judy Wagner, Susan Godreau, Mary Logan, Abigail Wanzer, and Betty Graham. In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class. The DRT felt that adding class to the Diversity Statement would ensure that AAUW was more inclusive and reflected a broader representation of the population. The Association Board of Directors strongly recommended that class be added to the Diversity Statement and the Conference of State Presidents voted in favor of adding class in June.
Class can encompass social rank, economic status, and job and education level.
Classism is the systematic oppression of poor people and people who work for wages by those who have the ability to control the necessary resources by which other people make their living. By adding class, AAUW demonstrates its commitment to the mission of equity for all women and girls, and its intention to remove barriers to full participation in the organization. It has a positive impact on AAUW s image, as both current and potential members see the organization as one that is welcoming to all people. Adding class to the Diversity Statement will strengthen AAUW s commitment to diversity and social justice.