Lodi AAUW meeting to feature expert on law against gender discrimination
Alicia Hetman, a champion of women’s rights, will be the featured speaker when the Lodi branch of the American Association of University Women meet at the Lodi Public Library Community Room today at 6 p.m.
The meeting is open to the public.
Hetman has been a member of The American Association of University Women Since 1976. She currently serves as the president of AAUW California chapter and the vice chair for the national chapter; she has written legislation on behalf of the AAUW with US representative Jackie Speier, regarding Title IX standards.
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Hetman developed a Title IX coalition that developed a framework of requirements that that has been employed by the Department of Education
“I want to open women’s eyes to the inequity that has been present. Many women are unaware of some of these gender biases that exist . ... Tonight is about getting donations for our legal action fund. At AAUW we cover most legal fees for people that reach out to us.” — ALICIA HETMAN, CHAMPION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS
and set a policy standard on the rules pertaining to equal and equitable athletic opportunities for women, policies against sexual harassment, and the prevention of discrimination against pregnant and parenting teens.
“I want to open women’s eyes to the inequity that has been present. Many women are unaware of some of these gender biases that exist,” said Hetman.
As a teacher, Hetman began getting involved by attending meetings and getting active in her local branch. Her proficiency and understanding of Title IX allowed her to assist in creating a foundation on Title IX rules and regulations within the academic sphere; she worked as a Title IX expert with the California Department of Education, and helped set curriculum standards and gender equity throughout California.
Hetman has assisted the AAUW in cases such as Mansourian V. Regents of University of California, a case where female athletes were allegedly forced off of the UC Davis wrestling team.
She is currently assisting with Rizo v. Fresno County Office of Education, a case involving Aileen Rizo, who worked as a math consultant for the Fresno County Office of Education. Rizo was hired in 2009 after earning a master’s degree and teaching for 13 years. In 2012, a male colleague who had just been hired mentioned that he had been placed at step 9 on the county’s 10-step pay scale. Rizo was shocked she had been placed at step 1 on the scale when she began her job.
“Tonight is about getting donations for our legal action fund. At AAUW we cover most legal fees for people that reach out to us,” said Hetman.
“The Lodi Chapter of AAUW has hosted fundraisers for the AAUW’s legal fund in the past and we wanted to try something new” said Becky Hamner, the president of the Lodi branch.
After Reaching out to the national branch they were able to secure Hetman as a speaker.
“We are thrilled to have someone with her background,” said Hamner. “As a branch of the AAUW we meet with the Lodi Unified School District to make sure that their curriculum complies with federal and state Title IX standards.”
The threat of a shifting curriculum looms over the heads of many, as U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is looking to change the standard of Title IX in schools.
“It is for reasons such as that, that we at AAUW are really needing to focus on our legal fund. We are not sure what is going to happen but we need to prepare ourselves and help those that are affected,” said Hetman.
“I think now more than ever we need to make more noise and be more energetic,” Hamner said.