Public Policy programs support AAUW’s mission and aligns with the Public Policy positions supported by AAUW National.

We plan our agenda yearly and focus on issues of the time including those related to any of the following Community, State, and National topics.

CIVIL RIGHTS: Human Trafficking, Civil Rights Amendment, Prison Reform

ECONOMIC SECURITY: Equal Pay/Opportunity, Healthcare, Childcare and Safety, Eldercare, Social Security/Medicare, Environment, Physical Abuse

EDUCATION: Title XI, Equality, STEM, Education Barriers, Student Debt

VOTER EDUCATION & REGISTRATION: Voting Rights

LOBBYING/ARIZONA LEGISLATIVE DAY

CURRENT LEGISLATION before the Arizona state legislature.

In 2025-2026, the Public Policy Committee addressed public policy priorities as identified from National AAUW in addition to focusing on local issues within our State of Arizona. National priorities include Education, Economic Security, and Social Justice and Civil Rights. Intentionally, we will collaborate with other organizations to enable our members to learn more about these issues and to make a stronger impact through our activities. Membership in the committee is open to all branch members. Meeting dates, times, and places will be noted via the newsletter and branch meetings.

For further information, contact the branch Public Policy VPs: Kathy Long, [email protected], 203-252-8044; Lynn Cepican, [email protected], 480-469-1892.

The Scholarship Committee supports higher education at local universities and community colleges. 

Scholarships are awarded each spring after the Scholarship Committee selects scholarship recipients from those that apply. 

For further information, contact branch Scholarship Committee Chair: Tina Byrne, [email protected], 714-401-9781.

AAUW-NWV encourages participation in activities that support advocating for women and girls. This is our newly designed initiative to give us more inclusivity in our communities.

Most recently we have collected: eggs for the Valley View Food Bank; nonperishable food for Holiday food baskets, also distributed by VVFB; money for Dysart School District classroom supplies; and nonperishable items for the Rio Salado Student Pantry. Please contact branch president Shelby Merwin, [email protected], if you are interested in helping.

Through our College Liaisons, we allocate money to Rio Salado College for Adult Education Assistance vouchers to offset the cost of some High School Equivalency exams.

AAUW-NWV supports promoting and strengthening STEM education, especially for girls and other underrepresented populations. These efforts will increase America’s competitiveness by reducing barriers that deter women and girls from pursuing academic and career goals in STEM fields.

We have named STEM as a continuous initiative in our branch. All are welcome to join our STEM Project Committee! Previous science/technology education or experience is not required to volunteer for our committee or programs. There are a variety of opportunities to become involved.

For further information, contact the branch STEM Education chairs: Gloria Fried, [email protected], 914-262-4625; Lu Baird, 415-271-2084; Shelby Merwin, [email protected], 612-910-1493.