Joyce Powell Executive Committee National Education Association- United States

1. Union ActionGender Equality and Full ParticipationEducation International World Women’s Conference Bangkok, January 2011 Joyce Powell Executive Committee National Education Association- United States

2. Throughout NEA’s 154-year history, the organization has advocated policies that improve the lives of women.

3. First Woman President 1910 – Ella Flagg Young • Chicago Schools Superintendent. • Defeated the NEA recommended candidate. • Elected NEA’s first woman president a full decade before women in the United States win the right to vote.

4. The Right to Vote • 1912 – NEA officially endorses the suffrage movement, giving new momentum to the fight for voting rights for women. • 1920 – Women win voting rights The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, 42 years after it was first introduced in Congress.

5. Ensuring the Rights of All • 1964 – the landmark Civil Rights Act, which NEA supported, becomes law addressing race, sex and national origin. • 1972 – with NEA’s strong support, Congress passes the law, Title IX of the Education Amendments, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in education. This law has opened many doors for women and girls.

6. Legacy of Title IX • Access to all courses in secondary schools • 47 % of the students attending law schools in the U.S. are women • Women’s university sports teams increased by 2,590 over the past 20 years • 43 % of university student athletes are women.

7. Still Much Work to Do • The 20th Century - dramatic improvements in women’s access to education, career opportunities and economic independence • Today - financial crisis – impacting women • Theme – Access and Equality of the 2011 U.N. Commission on the Status of Women • Our unions play a key role in continuing to increase opportunities for women.

8. NEA Membership • 3.2 million members • Women members – 2.42 million • Reflects the profession – 75% of teachers are women • According to the EI Quadrennial Survey, most of the EI member unions are also majority women.

9. Gender Gap in Pay The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)- women around the world are paid about 20 % less than men for doing the same work.

10. Power in Numbers • In the United States, 45 % of union members are women • Unions have raised the wages of women members by more than 11 % - about $2 per hour – compared to non-union women doing similar work • Union members are more likely to have access to greater job benefits, good health care, and retirement security.

11. Unions Stand Up for Women • When we fight for better pay for educators, we are standing up for women • When we combat gender stereotypes in the classroom we are standing up for women. • When we advocate for early childhood education programs we are standing up for women.

12. NEA Initiatives • Women’s Leadership Training • Women’s Issues Committee • Women’s Caucus • Sexual Harassment Prevention • Living Wage Campaigns

13. EI Initiatives… • EFAIDS initiative. This project has impacted 46 education unions in 35nations, opening dialogue about sex and gender. This in turn created opportunity for discussion of women’s rights • Development initiatives, such as the John Thompson Fellowship Training, include an expectation of women’s involvement and equity • Regional women’s networks support leaders.

14. More Women in Leadership Roles Mary Futrell - served as President of NEA and Education International Currently women serving NEA - • Vice President • Secretary/Treasurer • 4 Executive Committee Education International - President Susan Hopgood International Trade Union Confederation - General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

15. Our collective action as union members can play a crucial role in improving the lives of women!

16. www.nea.org