Last winter's issue of FloriVision included an article by Linda Warren, former Nebraska AAUW President and a plaintiff in a sex discrimination lawsuit. She said, "The message of LAF to women who are being discriminated against is that someone hears, believes, cares, and wants to help."

The Legal Advocacy Fund supports plaintiffs in sex discrimination suits against colleges and universities. It provides financial aid, technical assistance, and fund-raising support (most lawsuits cost hundreds of thousands of dollars!)

Since 1981, LAF has provided more than $650.000 to 63 female students, faculty, and administrators who were challenging discriminatory practices. These involved sexual harassment, denial of tenure or promotion, pay inequity, or Title IX violations.

As Linda Warren said, "The contributions we make to Foundation fellowships will be wasted if the women we help cannot fully utilize their advanced studies. If they are denied promotions and tenure, our work is in vain."

LAF is a very important part of our AAUW organization. It is important enough to engender a generous contribution from each of us. Please note that in order to qualify for the LAF fundraising star, AAUW has increased the qualifying amount to an average of $5.00 per member. Also remember that the fundraising year is January 1 to December 31 (all monies donated to LAF during 2000 will count toward the 2000 LAF Star.)

If you have any questions concerning LAF, contact your branch's LAF Director or visit the AAUW website at www.aauw.org.

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