American Association of University Women Position on Affirmative Action

Short answer: The American Association of University Women (AAUW) supports affirmative action as an important tool to promote equity, diversity, and opportunity in education and the workplace.

Why AAUW supports affirmative action

AAUW's mission is to break through educational and economic barriers so all women have a fair chance to succeed. From that perspective, the organization views affirmative action as a policy that helps correct longstanding, systemic disadvantages faced by women especially women of color in higher education and employment. AAUW frames affirmative action not as preferential treatment for some, but as a way to level a playing field shaped by historical and structural discrimination.

Principles that guide AAUW's stance

• Equity and access: AAUW emphasizes fair access to educational and professional opportunities for women from diverse backgrounds.
• Intersectionality: The organization recognizes that gender intersects with race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, and other identities, so remedies must address those combined effects.
• Diversity as educational and social benefit: AAUW supports policies that create diverse learning environments because they benefit all students and better prepare graduates for a multicultural workforce.
• Legal and policy advocacy: AAUW favors legal protections and public policies that reduce discrimination and expand opportunity.

How AAUW puts that position into action

AAUW uses research, public education, and advocacy to promote its goals. That includes publishing research on pay equity and access, educating policymakers and the public about the effects of discrimination, and supporting policies that preserve tools institutions use to promote diversity. AAUW has participated in coalitions, issued policy statements, and advocated for legislation and administrative approaches that protect affirmative action and other raceconscious policies aimed at reducing barriers for underrepresented groups.

What that means in practice

When AAUW defends affirmative action, it generally supports efforts such as:

• Raceconscious admissions or hiring practices used to create diverse and inclusive campuses and workplaces.
• Programs that target resources and opportunities to communities and groups facing systemic barriers.
• Policies and laws that uphold equal opportunity in education and employment rather than bans that would eliminate raceaware remedies.

How you can engage if you agree

• Read AAUW's public statements and research to understand their reasoning and evidence.
• Contact elected officials to express support for policies that promote equity and access in education and employment.
• Support local programs and scholarships that expand opportunities for women from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Join or collaborate with organizations focused on gender and racial equity to amplify shared goals.

Bottom line

AAUW sees affirmative action as one of several necessary tools for addressing historical and structural inequality. The organization argues that carefully designed, legally grounded raceconscious policies strengthen educational environments and promote fairer outcomes for women and other historically excluded groups.