AAUW comes to MHCC, advocates for women’s rights

The Association of American University Women, or AAUW, is a nationally recognized organization that has recently opened a branch at MHCC.

The club meets Mondays and Fridays at noon in the Diversity Resource Center.

All students are welcome, men as well as women.

According to the AAUW website, the organization was founded in 1881 and works to better the lives of women and their families through empowerment. To do this, women members often must look at what they need to overcome, which might include prioritizing families’ needs over their own education. “All while the breadwinner, your husband, is off advancing his career, or education,” said Angela Arriaga, Mt. Hood’s AAUW branch president, giving one example.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is another issue the AAUW has taken on. Workplace superiors have often pushed  inappropriate behavior on women, or even propositioned them, “offering them raises or bonuses if they (women) would do this or that,” said Arriaga.

One of the biggest humps AAUW members work to hurdle is gaining equal income in the male-dominant sectors of  science, technology, engineering, and math (so-called “STEM” jobs) “A lot of women, if they don’t have the confidence, leadership, and mentorship prior to getting to the negotiation table, they will take what they are offered, opposed to having that wisdom to aim for what is equal,” Arriaga said.

Arriaga holds this matter close to heart. She said her daughter is excellent at math, but not yet a part of AAUW. The MHCC faction has been up and running for two weeks now, but is gaining traction fast, she said. “I think we are going to need a bigger meeting room – soon,” she said, evaluating the current DRC site.

“I was surprised at how many women, and men, faculty were a part of the AAUW on the national level. MHCC President Debra Derr, herself, is a member,” she noted.

And, Derr has nothing but good things to say about AAUW and its new Mt. Hood branch.

“I believe that organizations like AAUW help all women through their advocacy efforts,” Derr said. “Additionally, AAUW believes in supporting women in leadership roles. If any person has confidence in his/her abilities, has clear direction, and support – watch them fly.

“AAUW believes in people. They advocate for the rights of women, and since their founding in 1881, have been there by our side,” she said.