Fundraiser to help AAUW endowment

According to Business Insider, overall, women who were full-time, year-round employees made approximately 82 cents for every dollar men made in 2019, based on median earning data from the Census Current Population Survey. That means women are paid almost 18% less than men, earning more than $10,000 less than their male counterparts. 

That gender wage gap is more significant for women of color. 

Founded in 1881, The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the nation’s voice promoting equity and education for women and girls.

The Sheridan Branch of the AAUW was formed in 1914. This year marks the 107th year the organization has been educating, promoting and fighting for equal rights among the women of Sheridan County.

Activities through the years include bringing the first children’s theater to Sheridan, helping pay off American Indian Days Loan and holding Wage Gap Workshops, according to AAUW Membership Chair Jolene Olson.

These workshops educate women on how to negotiate fair wages without the stigma of feeling greedy or needy, according to Sheridan Branch Chair of the AAUW Larissa Bonnet. 

Another avenue of accomplishing this goal is the Rowena Griffith Emergency Endowment Fund at Sheridan College. This fund helps women to achieve their goal of a higher education by helping with expenses. These can be unexpected emergency expenses, such as a high utility bill or a need for tires that would otherwise cause the woman to drop out and seek employment. 

To help fund this endowment Black Tooth Brewery will hold a Bingo Night and proceeds will benefit the Rowena Griffith Fund to assist the AAUW Sheridan Branch in helping women of all ages in Sheridan County. For more information, contact Jolene Olson at (307) 752-7766

If you or a female student you know may need some help with emergency funding while attending classes, contact Larissa Bonnet at lbonnet@sheridan.edu.