—Together, we can achieve a vision of equal opportunity for all.
AAUW HHL is a local group of the national AAUW. We are a community of individuals who share your commitment to inclusion and belonging. Our priority issues are Removing Bias from Education, Fighting for Fair Pay and Economic Equity, and Advancing Women in Leadership. Join AAUW for its advocacy and its community.
Confused about Ohio’s Gerrymandering?
Earlier this month HHL learned more about the 2024 Ohio Issue 1. The wording of Issue 1, a proposed amendment to Ohio’s Constitution is lengthy and confusing. Also called redistricting, the amendment proposes that a group of 15 citizens who broadly represent the different geographic areas and demographics of the state draw the districts. It bans current and former politicians, political party officials, lobbyists and large political donors from sitting on the commission. It requires that the commission should draw fair and impartial voting districts–districts that do not give one political party an unfair advantage over its rivals. Learn more at Citizens Not Politicians “Get the Facts” and read Issue 1, about redistricting and gerrymandering.
Read our AAUW HHL October 2024 newsletter for more about our new programs and learn about AAUW Ohio, and our national Association news.
Cleveland Public Theater’s performance of The Elephant in the Room will spark compassion and discussion when HHL attends a performance November 17. Written by and featuring Priyanka Shetty and presented by Cleveland Public Theatre and Federation of India Community Associations Cleveland, the play is a witty, dark comedy about just your typical Indian metalhead and software-engineer-turned-actor who must navigate life as an immigrant arriving in Trump’s America. The play navigates Priyanka’s real-life journey as she transitions from her deeply embedded roots in India to finding context and common ground in America.
Our next call to action will begin November 20, 2024 when we hear about the status of ERA, the Equ
al Rights Amendment. Plan to log in or watch the presentation with others at Bertram Woods Library, Shaker Heights, Ohio.
A list of this year’s programs will be posted here soon. For a recap of previous programs find a list posted here on the Past Programs and Events page.
Fall Summit 2024 – Voter Call to Action
Keynote speaker, Erin Czerniak, TEDx speaker, writer, campaign adviser, and public policy enthusiast urged us to find and become a trusted organization for information. What are the key issues for women in Ohio elections this year?
Erin helped us become informed about down-ballot races. What’s on the down-ballot? State Representative seats, County Judicial seats, State Supreme Court, US Congressional seats, and County Issues. Get issue and candidate information from
2024 Innovation Ohio Elections HUB
The Matriots Ohio endorses women running for office. You will need to know your region and district.
Judicial Votes Count helps people understand judicial races and candidates
Equality Ohio Candidate Scorecard evaluates candidates on LGBTQ+ Equality and Inclusion
Red Wine & Blue Anti-Extremism Voting Guide
Citizens Not Politicians Read “Get the Facts” and read Issue 1, about redistricting and gerrymandering.
Get Ready and Vote—
Access your sample ballot online from the State of Ohio’s directory of County Board of Elections (BOE) website and encourage others to do the same. From Ohio’s directory here, you can link to your county. Here is an example: click on C to find Cuyahoga County BOE or scroll down. There are several counties beginning with C, so scroll down the page to find Cuyahoga County. Click on the link to their website boe.cuyahogacounty.gov.
This year, you and the people you influence may only vote for two or three down-ballot issues or offices, but it’s a good start for growth. Vote to make your community the place you want to live.
AAUW Ohio Continues the Discussions
Books To Initiate Work & Thought
You are invited to the monthly online discussions on the third Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM ET. Register for free on Eventbrite to get the Zoom link.
October 19, 2024: Imagine Freedom: Transforming Pain into Political and Spiritual Power by Rahiel Tesfamariam
Facilitators: John Zibbel and Deborah Wooldridge
The book list for the year 2024-25 is posted on AAUW Ohio’s website on the Book Discussions Coffee & Convos page. You can also see the complete list of the 2022-23 books we discussed.
October Joint Program and Dinner
On October 8, 2024 HHL and Northeast AAUW branches hosted Lisa Huendorf of Signature Health to discuss and reflect on issues of harassment, intimidation, and bullying in our communities. The training will hopefully encourage us to act to prevent violence when we recognize harmful behaviors.
Send Your Dues Payments Now
Many members should renew their membership before June 30, 2024. Please renew online or mail a check to the branch finance officer.
Congratulations to HHL on Awards
HHL Branch won awards at the AAUW Ohio Convention and Annual Meeting for its newsletter, website, social media, and blog, the Diversity Award and a Silver Model Branch Award.
Statewide Annual Meeting and Convention Concludes
Members from across Ohio met April 13, 2024 at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and online, in Convention, to learn and discuss from AAUW’s Nancy Shoemaker Open Membership https://openupaauw.org/, Ohio State Senator Paula Hicks Hudson The Carrot and the Stick for Pay Equity in Ohio SB 232, SB 231. Why is Pay Equity Important, How to Stay Engaged and up to date; and Public Education by Toledo Public School Board Member Sheena Barnes. The morning concluded with a journaling exercise Narrative Healing.
Newly elected officers were announced and installed during the afternoon Annual Meeting. The Bylaws change to allow every member to vote and change the Voting Body required were adopted. Meet the officers for 2024-2026; view the branches that received awards for Model Branch, Communications, and Diversity. Follow the links above for more information.
AAUW Ohio Bylaws Change
It was announced April 13, 2024 at the Annual Meeting that AAUW Ohio delegates had adopted an important change to our State Bylaws. Each State member can vote. The change replaces our branch delegate voting system.
The Convention Book Discussion Was Open to All
From the moment we ask children what they 
want to “be” when they grow up, we exalt the dream job as if it were life’s ultimate objective. Many entangle their identities with their jobs, with predictable damage to happiness, wellbeing, and even professional success.
In The Good Enough Job, journalist and innovation designer Simone Stolzoff traces how work has come to dominate Americans’ lives—and why we find it so difficult to let go. Rather than treat work as a calling or a dream, he asks what it would take to reframe work as a part of life rather than the entirety of our lives. What does it mean for a job to be good enough?
The book discussion was open to all.
HHL Members: Your Vote Was Needed
The vote to eliminate AAUW’s degree requirement did not qualify for a voting quorum. Branch members–we needed your vote. Look how we did the last time this change was brought to a vote. Make it better. Read more at Open Up AAUW.org
Influencer Strategies
- Use text banks at Ohioans for a cause.
- Use social media to stress AAUW’s position.
- Educate by storytelling about the times and means of Roe v. Wade.
- Use 5 Calls (https://5calls.org) and AAUW’s 2 Minute Activist to let your legislator know what’s important to you.
- Understand the responsibilities of allyship.
AAUW Supports ERA
AAUW’s Lobby Core went to Capitol Hill and met with lawmakers to urge them to affirm the Equal Rights Amendment.
You can lend your voice, too, by using AAUW’s Two-Minute Activist. Click here to begin.
More Ohio News …
Get Ohio news at AAUW Ohio‘s website and their Facebook page.
HHL – An Award Winning Branch
In 2024 AAUW Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst Branch won the Communications Award (newsletter website, blog, and Facebook), The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, and the Model Branch Silver Level Award (7 or more glitter points). For other branches winning awards, see the AAUW Ohio website.
We hope to bring home awards in 2025. Good luck AAUW Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst, Ohio Branch!
AAUW Urges Passage of the ERA
The U.S. Senate voted to remove the arbitrary deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (S.J. Res. 4/H.J. Res. 25) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Due to the nature of this vote, it would have required a two-thirds majority to pass. While the vote failed to meet the 60-vote threshold to pass, Senate Majority Leader Schumer entered a vote to reconsider so the issue can be voted on again later this session. We urge you to tell your Congresspeople to vote in favor of removing the deadline. Without the Equal Rights Amendment, women of the United States do not have equality before the law.
Looking for a Recap of a Previous Program?
Read recaps on the Past Programs & Events page.
Stand with Us
AAUW empowers you and helps you take a stand. We do the research to back up what we say. The American Association of University Women–taking a stand since 1881. Whether you follow the Equity Network or join a local branch you can Stand with us. HHL brings AAUW to the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. We welcome you to join us or support us.
Membership
What a great way to help women achieve equity in education, economic security, and leadership positions.
Online payment is secure and fast at https://aauw.org Choose the Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst Branch or pay by check to the branch finance officer. (see below).
If you want to join now, you may mail a check, use the Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst Branch HHL-BRANCH-MEMBERSHIP-APPLICATION 2024 Join us to make an impact. Questions? Use the Contact Us link at the top of the page.
Closing the Pay Gap
Learn To Negotiate: Work Smart Online Is Free
Learn how to research your target salary, highlight your accomplishments and find the right words — and the confidence — to negotiate for better benefits and pay. Sign up for a facilitator-guided virtual workshop or use our Work Smart Online e-learning tool, which takes less than two hours to complete and can be done at your own pace — both are free!
Use AAUW Work Smart Online — created as a free salary negotiation course to help women earn the pay they deserve, Work Smart teaches how to negotiate for your positions such as economic security later in life or staying in your home vs moving.
This easy, engaging e-tool will teach you . . . . Read more on our Family Life Issues page This is not a woman’s issue; it’s a family issue for families of one or many.
Speaking Out
Your advocacy is needed to protect and extend equal rights. 
If it were easy to call or write your members of Congress wouldn’t you do it? AAUW’s Two Minute Activist makes it easy to do just that. All it takes is two minutes and an internet connection. To sign up on our national website; click here. We work hard for equity for women and girls and civil rights. Our Two-Minute Activist has gone mobile. Check out the app for your phone. Details are available here at our national website. Or, members: respond to the emails national sends to ask AAUW members to make their voices heard to their representatives.
Where We Stand on Title IX and Compliance
Title IX is not just about athletics. Title IX covers access to course offerings and financial assistance and much more. It mandates that each school have a Title IX compliance officer. Read more on our Title IX page and get the Department of Education Title IX compliance resources.
AAUW is a top-rated 501(c)(3) charity, Tax ID: 52-6037388
Donations are tax deductible.
Give a little; give more–it’s your choice. We welcome new members; membership is not by invitation. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) empowers women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Read the Annual Report 2019.
AAUW’s Diversity Policy
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team, and board of directors. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.