100 Years Of Equity, Education Advocacy Celebrated In Reston

RESTON, VA — State Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Reston) and Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra (D-Reston) presented a proclamation Monday to representatives of the Virginia chapter of the American Association of University Women.

"We are hearing so much negativity on the news that we wanted to have some positivity tonight," Boysko said, during an informal ceremony at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne in Reston.

In February, the Virginia General Assembly approved SJ420, which recognized AAUW-Virginia for advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. As the bill’s chief patron, Boysko submitted the legislation to honor AAUW-Virginia as it was celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

“It's been just amazing,” said Janine Greenwood, a member of the AAUW-Virginia’s public policy committee. “Without all of this incredible support from our legislature, I don't know how we could have moved some of the things we've been able to move forward.”

Greenwood and Dianne Mero of AAUW’s Reston-Herndon Area Branch accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization.

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On March 27 and 28, 1925, members from seven different branches of the American Association of University Women in the commonwealth met in Williamsburg to establish a Virginia chapter of the organization.

Initially, AAUW-Virginia worked to increase funds for state-supported schools and a program for preschool children. But, as the decades progressed, the group went on to improve school curricula, promote teacher training and fight for equal salaries for men and women teachers.

“In the 1970s, AAUW-Virginia has supported a number of causes in its fight for gender equality, including the Equal Rights Amendment and the admission of women into the Virginia Military Institute,” according to the proclamation.

“This is just one more time for us to be grateful to the wonderful members of our legislature who have worked so tirelessly over the years to support our political priorities and who were involved when Virginia became the final state to ratify the ERA,” said Greenwood.

In 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA, which was originally proposed in 1972. In order for the amendment to be ratified, Congress needs to change the deadlines for ratification, an authority it has under Article V of the Constitution.