AAAA Mourns Passing of Augustus F. Hawkins, Champion of Education and Equal Employment Opportunity
Date: 11-13-2007 06:34:57 PM CST
Message:
The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), a national membership organization of equal employment opportunity (EEO), affirmative action and diversity specialists, mourns the passing of Augustus F. Hawkins, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Legislature. Augustus Gus Hawkins, who served in the legislative branch for more than half a century, was the original Drum Major for Justice, said AAAA President ReNee Dunman. He was a trailblazer, serving as the first African American in the California Legislature and the second African American to chair the important US House Committee on Education and Labor. In the Congress, Hawkins was the co-author of the Humphrey Hawkins bill and co-sponsored the equal employment provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This legislation established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Congressman Hawkins lived a life of leadership and service and advanced the principle of equal opportunity throughout his illustrious career, Ms. Dunman added.
During the 1980s, Rep. Hawkins helped to defend affirmative action when the former Attorney General attempted to end it. When Rep. Hawkins disagreed with an administration, he did so in a manner that was gracious and respectful, said Shirley J. Wilcher, AAAA executive director and former staffer to the Hawkins committee. He knew how to disagree without being disagreeable. Hawkins co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971. When he retired in 1990, he served as director of the Hawkins Family Memorial Foundation of Educational Research and Development. Mr. Hawkins believed in equal education opportunity and dedicated his life to achieve it, added Wilcher. Representative Hawkins understood that the doors of opportunity must be kept open for all. Augustus F. Hawkins was 100 years old when he passed on Saturday, November 10, 2007. AAAA will miss Representative Hawkins' gentlemanly leadership and steadfastness in the face of adversity and prejudice. His was truly a life well-lived, said Ms. Dunman.
Founded in 1974, the American Association for Affirmation Action (AAAA) is a national not-for-profit association of professionals working in the areas of affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity. AAAA helps its members to be more successful and productive in their careers. It also promotes understanding and advocacy of affirmative action to enhance access and equality in employment, economic and educational opportunities.
AAAA Launches Enhanced Professional Development and Training Institute November 4 - 9, 2007
Date: 10-03-2007 08:51:54 AM CDT
Message:
For Immediate Release
October 2, 2007
Contact: Shirley J. Wilcher
617-298-4156
240-893-9475
execdir@affirmativeaction.org
American Association for Affirmative Action
Launches Enhanced Professional Development and Training Institute, November 4 - 9, 2007
Affirmative Action Association Tailors its Training for New Equal Opportunity and Workplace Diversity Demands
The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), a national membership organization of equal employment opportunity (EEO), affirmative action and diversity professionals, is hosting its Professional Development and Training Institute (PDTI) at the National Conference Center, Lansdowne, VA, November 4th through 9th, 2007. PDTI is one of the foremost training programs for affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity specialists in higher education, government and private industry.
Course offerings include Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Law; Affirmative Action Plan Development; Complaint Processing, Counseling and Resolution; Its About Respect: Preventing and Eliminating Harassment; Functional Affirmative Action Program Development (FAAP); Systemic Discrimination: Identifying the Problem and Avoiding the Risk; Mediation; Federal EEO Management; Fundamentals of Diversity Management - Part A and Creating a Best-in-Class Diversity Strategy. "This is the most comprehensive listing of EEO and affirmative action courses that AAAA has ever offered. It is also the most timely, addressing compliance issues and the emergence of diversity management as a profession in today's multicultural workplace," said Marjorie Powell, AAAAs chair of the PDTI Committee. PDTI faculty includes former officials of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Labor; college and university professors; civil rights lawyers and outstanding affirmative action and EEO professionals.
Individuals who successfully complete the prescribed PDTI courses receive the Certified Affirmative Action Professional (CAAP) certificate. Courses may qualify for HRCI credit. To register for the November PDTI program, go to: https://www.regonline.com/November. The National Conference Center is located at: 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne, VA 20176 - Main Phone: 703.729.8000, Main Fax: 703.729.5382.
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American Association for Affirmative Action
888 16th Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006
202-349-9855
202-355-1399
www.affirmativeaction.org
AAAA mourns the death of Lady Bird Johnson
Date: 07-13-2007 07:32:56 AM CDT
Message:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Contact: Joyce A. Pratt 609-748-0936
The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) mourns the death of Lady Bird Johnson, supporter of civil rights and women's rights
Washington, D.C. -- The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) mourns the death of Lady Bird Johnson, supporter of civil rights, women's rights, early childhood learning, and maintaining the country's natural beauty. AAAA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Johnson. America lost one of the most beneficent women to grace the great State of Texas and, indeed, the entire nation. "Mrs. Lyndon B. (Lady Bird) Johnson's personal strength in speaking out about racism and advancing the cause of equal educational opportunity contributed tremendously to the social reforms of the 1960s from which we have all benefited," said ReNee S. Dunman, president of AAAA.
"In April, we were honored to have met her daughter, Luci Baines Johnson Turpin, during our 33rd Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. Ms. Turpin gave a stirring presentation to our members at the LBJ Library and Museum," stated Ms. Dunman. "It is gratifying to know Lady Bird Johnson's humanity lives on within her family."
AAAA Calls Supreme Court Decision on School Desegregation Cases "A Blow to Equal Opportunity in Education"
Date: 07-02-2007 08:21:35 AM CDT
Message:
For Immediate Release: June 28, 2007
Contact:
Shirley Wilcher (240) 893-9475
Joyce Pratt (609) 748-0936
The Court's decision to strike down the Louisville, KY and Seattle School desegregation plans is a tragic blow to the spirit of Brown v. Board of Education
Washington - The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), an organization of equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity and affirmative action professionals founded in 1974, condemned the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education (Louisville) and Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District (Seattle) as "a tragic blow to the spirit of Brown v. Board of Education." "Our nation's school districts must be encouraged to promote integration and equal opportunity for all students. Severely limiting the use of race in school desegregation efforts will have a chilling effect on such efforts," said AAAA president ReNee S. Dunman.
"While we are pleased that the Court specifically distinguished this case from diversity programs in the higher education context, which it addressed in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), we believe that the school desegregation programs that the Court struck down were consistent with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This Amendment is intended to bring us together across lines of difference and to provide opportunities, not deny them. The Court's decision, unfortunately, limits the ability of local school districts to tailor programs to the realities on the ground," she added.
"In Grutter v. Bollinger, the University of Michigan decision in 2003, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor suggested that we should not need affirmative action in higher education in 25 years. The only way that that prediction has the remotest chance of becoming reality is if we strengthen our elementary and secondary schools to enable all children to have a quality education. Today's decision may make this prediction less likely," commented Ms. Dunman. In the Bakke decision, Justice Blackmun wrote that in order to get beyond racism, we must first take account of race. The Court under Alito and Roberts has set back the progress of America's children by ignoring the reality of race in this nation.
Integrated education provides benefits not only to minority students but also to majority students and the population at large. Research shows that the critical thinking skills of all students improve in racially diverse classrooms. Diverse learning opportunities make all students better problem solvers and communicators, and kids in diverse schools are less likely to develop racial stereotypes or prejudice. Without such integration, we face a generation of young adults who will be unprepared in an increasingly diverse global economy and nation.
"In our view, this is a reminder of how important it is that the Senate closely review all nominees to the federal courts, and confirm only those judges that show a commitment to fulfilling the promise of our Constitution - including the Equal Protection Clause. We plan to work with the U.S. Congress which, like the Court, has the authority and the responsibility to fulfill the promise of Brown vs. Board of Education and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution", added Ms. Dunman.
AAAA stands committed to partnering with members of the civil rights community and local leaders in Louisville, Seattle, and other communities around the country. Together we will pursue the crucial goal of diverse, inclusive, quality education for all of our children.
Founded in 1974, the American Association for Affirmation Action (AAAA) is a national not-for-profit association of professionals working in the areas of affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity. AAAA helps its members to be more successful and productive in their careers. It also promotes understanding and advocacy of affirmative action to enhance access and equality in employment, economic and educational opportunities.
AAAA Opposes New Efforts by Right Wing Groups
Date: 06-11-2007 03:40:35 PM CDT
Message:
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2007
Contact:
Shirley Wilcher (240) 893-9475
Joyce Pratt (609) 748-0936
AAAA Opposes New Efforts by Right Wing Groups to Use Immigration Legislation to Undermine Affirmative Action
Efforts to Exclude Immigrants Violates America's Promise of Fairness and Equality
The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), an organization of equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action professionals, opposes efforts by the American Civil Rights Institute and other right wing groups to severely limit the scope of affirmative action laws by excluding new immigrants. "Affirmative action laws have historically included groups who have suffered discrimination on the basis of national origin," said AAAA President ReNee Dunman. "To eliminate longstanding protections for those who come to this country seeking opportunity, fairness and equality is unconscionable," she added. "This is a bold move to weaken all affirmative action laws that benefit women and persons of color."
"Just as "Knowledge is power," so too is the lack of knowledge when this failing is used to further short-sighted ambitions. Members of opposition groups don't mind exploiting the fact that many Americans are unaware that there are federal and state laws banning discrimination and racial preferences," Dunman added. "Affirmative action is a remedy for past discrimination as well as a means of preventing current and future exclusionary practices. Affirmative action laws also specifically prohibit preferential treatment."
This new anti-affirmative action effort is also aimed at one immigrant population in particular -- Hispanics. It is a fact that Hispanics, many of whom can trace their ancestry to the western territories before the United States existed, have historically suffered discrimination on the basis of national origin and race. Newly-arrived Hispanics, many of whom will confront these national origin-based stereotypes and biases, deserve to benefit from programs designed to remedy the effects of such discrimination. Discrimination, prejudice and bigotry on the basis of race, color or national origin are not simply relics of the past. They are current realities.
"We urge Congress to proceed with its deliberations and ignore this thinly-veiled effort to divide us and foment rancor against immigrant Hispanics and all beneficiaries of affirmative action," added Ms. Dunman.