2024:
AAUW Women Advocate for
A More Perfect State with an Equal Rights Amendment
to our Constitution!

---

• Scroll down a bit or click here to find out about AAUW National Two-Minute Activist opportunities.
• Follow issues of particular importance to Minnesotans and Take Action on bills during the Minnesota Legislative Session here.
• Find out about actions YOU can take to help manage water resources sustainably here.
• See other resources and links for taking action here.

---

Two-Minute Activist – AAUW National

Two-Minute Activist is an AAUW National program that provides a quick and easy way to “send emails and texts to your legislators to fight for equal pay, family leave, stopping sexual harassment, equality in education and more.”

To become a “Two-Minute Activist” go to the webpage and simply click on the link for the issue you wish to support to read more about it, then:

1. fill in your name and address
2. use the suggested message text or personalize it as you wish
3. click on “Send Message” and the message will automatically be sent to your US Senators and US Representative

All children should have equal opportunity to succeed.
Pass the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act

“All children should have equal opportunity to succeed. Yet, millions of students are in schools with school-based law enforcement but without essential support such as counselors, nurses, school psychologists, or social workers. Urge your members of Congress to invest in keeping all kids safe at school and support students to ensure their educational success.” Read more and Take Action on the National AAUW website.

Stand Up for Voting Rights!
Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

“Over the past decade, states and localities across the country have enacted policies that make it harder to vote. As of May 2024, at least 6 states have enacted 7 restrictive voting laws this year alone. Voters in 28 states will face new restrictions in November that they have never experienced before in a presidential election…Tell your representative to support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and protect the freedom to vote today!” Read more and Take Action on the National AAUW website.

Find quick and easy Two-Minute Activist opportunities and signup to get regular action alerts on the National AAUW website.

Take Action Minnesota!

Check here for updates once the 2025 MN Legislative session convenes on January14, 2025.

---

Why lobby for an Equal Rights Amendment
to the State Constitution? 

1. Many people believe gender equality is the law of the land but neither the state nor federal constitution specifically provides equal legal protection regardless of gender under the law.
2. Even though 38 states ratified the national equal rights amendment, they did not do so within the time frame set for ratification in the authorizing legislation.
3. Bills have been introduced at the federal level to remove the ratification deadline. In the meantime, more than 20 states have included this protection in their state constitutions (see the states HERE).
4. Early in the 2024 legislative session will be our best chance to help pass a bill to vote on adding an equal rights amendment to the Minnesota Constitution!

Put your support in writing! We are encouraging all members to to call, write, or email their State Senators and Representatives supporting equal rights for all – regardless of gender.

Find contact information for your State Representative and Senator HERE.
Suggested text for your letter: Word Format — PDF Format

NEW: National Two-Minute Activist page for STATE activism. While hard copy letters will still have the greatest impact with legislators, use THIS LINK if you prefer to make your support for MN ERA known electronically. Take a few minutes to personalize the message if you use this link – your message will automatically be sent to your MN Representative and Senator.

More information on the ERA and ERA Minnesota:

---

Branch Advocacy Initiative

Thanks to everyone who responded to the Public Policy & Environment Committee’s Branch Advocacy Survey. The results were used to prepare a resolution on advocacy that was approved by our membership at our 4/25/23 Annual Meeting.

Click HERE to read the survey report.
Click HERE to review the approved resolution.

Watch for emails from our committee and visit this page regularly to get updates and information on actions you can take on important issues. 

Take Action on Managing Water Resources

Many thanks to Maggie Karschnia for a very informative
and action-oriented presentation.
Slides and graphics used with her permission.

In addition to her work at the U’s Water Resources Center and Sea Grant Minnesota, Maggie serves on the Board of the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education. You can learn more about how MAEE works to strengthen the role of education as a solution to our environmental and societal challenges HERE.

Other Resources for Taking Action

• Find your Federal and State legislators here.
• Go to https://www.mnvotes.org/ to access comprehensive elections and voting information, including registration and absentee ballots, at the MN Secretary of State website.
• Set up a MyBills account: MyBills allows you to track House and Senate bills in the Minnesota State Legislature by bill number and topic. When you log in, your bills will be listed along with information about recent or upcoming significant action. You must log in to see this information, MyBills does not send email alerts.
• Check on individual bills of interest to you in the Minnesota State Legislature here.

Links to other organizations involved in advocacy:

• The Minnesota Women’s Consortium – now WoMN ACT® (Advocate, Collaborate, Transform): https://www.womnact.org/
• League of Women Voters of Minnesota: https://www.lwvmn.org/
  • LWV of St. Paul: https://lwvsp.org/
  • LWV Minneapolis: https://lwvmpls.org/
• League of Women Voters 2020 Election Report: https://www.lwv.org/expanding-voter-access/2020-election-impact-report