Several years ago there was a popular song that said, "I am Woman, hear me roar!" AAUW has been saying this for years. AAUW, one of the largest and oldest national organizations for women, is 193,000 women joined in advocacy and action to promote equity for women, education and self-development over the life span, and positive societal change.

If we are to fulfill these goals, this year is extremely critical for us. We need to elect to office those candidates who will support Iowa's issues.

Education, especially our public school system, is the very backbone of our democracy. Every individual is guaranteed the opportunity to learn to the best of her (or his) ability. Yet there are proposals and already established rulings which would severely damage our public schools.

In Florida Governor Bush has initiated plans to eliminate Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action, unlike the "One Florida Plan", does not have quotas; it guarantees opportunities. Equal opportunity is one of the tenets of our organization.

Another issue of concern is campaign finance reform. The candidate with the most money in her (or his) campaign treasury should not necessarily be the person to win office - as is too often the case today. These individuals are elected to "public office" to represent the public; they should not be obligated to special interests with resulting favoritism in voting.

Every ten years after the census is taken, new Cngressional districts are established. In order to avoid the gerrymandering that favors certain politicians, we as citizens of Florida must have input into this process. Sign the petition supporting People over Politics to ensure citizen participation in establishing our Congressional districts.

These are just a few of the issues facing us. AAUW members, stay involved. Read your newspaper, newsmagazines, and the Internet news. Participate in the issues which will affect the future of all women. Remember, you are the greatest!

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