Mark your calendars now for Leadership Workshop 2010 on Saturday, Aug. 14, from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware.

State Senator Teresa Fedor

Following up on our 2010 Convention programming, we will provide information in two critical areas:

• building your branch’s online presence
• methods for your membership to become public policy advocates for AAUW positions on breaking through barriers to equity for women and girls.

Members who attended the Convention session on trafficking indicated that they want to advocate for action through their AAUW branches. Our Aug. 14 will help them — and you — do just that.

Senator Teresa Fedor, who has introduced SB 235 to bring Ohio law in line with federal guidelines and create a stand-alone felony for human trafficking, will co-keynote the workshop. She will tell us about research done on trafficking in Ohio and about her bill. And you will learn how to advocate for the bill and monitor its progress.

She will be joined by Marlene Carson, a victim of trafficking who started a safe house called Rehab’s Hideaway in Columbus for young girls and women trying to escape a life of forced prostitution.

Jackie Evangelista, AAUW Ohio Public Policy Chair, will also present ideas about how to lobby for SB 235.

This workshop is ideal for helping branch members to develop leadership skills and learn how to execute ideas. It also offers a reduced the time frame so members with limited time available can attend. More details will be available soon.

More on sex trafficking in Ohio

The Convention session on trafficking highlighted the work going on in Toledo to protect women and girls from sex trade trafficking. Toledo is reported to be fourth in the nation in the number of women and girls being sexually exploited for profit.

A social service program in Toledo called Second Chance helps victims of sex trafficking and prostitution. Read the new state report by the Ohio Trafficking in Persons Study Commission (PDF).

More on building your branch online presence

You can get website and social media help on this page.