American
Association for Affirmative Action
Joins
National Civil Rights Organizations in Commemorating
The Fiftieth
Anniversary of the March on Washington
Association
urges the Nation to Re-Affirm its Commitment to Equal Opportunity through
Affirmative Action and Diversity
Contact:
Shirley
J. Wilcher
202-349-9855240-893-9475
Washington, D.C., August
12, 2013 – The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), an
organization of equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity
professionals joins a stellium of national civil rights organizations in
commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington,
August 24, 2013. AAAA’s members and
friends will join organizations and individuals from around the nation to
remember the momentous March of 1963 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I
Have a Dream” speech. AAAA President Gregory T. Chambers said, “On August 24th
AAAA will stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and remember where we were
in 1963 when thousands of individuals stood for freedom, justice and
equality.” He added, “In 2013, we will
also consider how far we have come and the distance we must travel to realize
Dr. King’s Dream.”
Among the issues of the 21st
Century March to “Realize the Dream,” including Voting Rights, Jobs,
Immigration, LGBT rights, Health Care and Criminal Justice are the preservation
of Equal Opportunity through Affirmative Action and Diversity programs. “The Fisher
v. University of Texas case, which was heard by the US Supreme Court and
remanded to lower courts for more deliberation, and the Schuette v. Cantrell case, which will be heard by the Court in
October 2013, demonstrate the most recent, pernicious challenges to policies
promoting access, equity and diversity,” said Marilynn Schuyler, AAAA Board
Member and Regional Director (for Washington, DC). “The marchers in 1963 helped
us to open the gates of opportunity in education, employment and
contracting. We must now fight to keep
those doors open.”
AAAA Executive Director
Shirley J. Wilcher added: “The nation’s future depends upon all qualified
individuals – including men, women and individuals with disabilities, veterans,
people of color, religious minorities
and members of the LGBT community -- having a chance to compete in
education, employment and business. AAAA members will march to the King
Memorial urging the nation to move forward towards equal opportunity for all.
That is our dream for the 21st Century.”
Founded in 1974, the
American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) is a national not-for-profit
association of professionals working in the areas of affirmative action, equal
opportunity, and diversity. AAAA assists its members to be more successful and
productive in their careers. It also promotes understanding and advocacy of
affirmative action to enhance access and equality in employment, economic and
educational opportunities.
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American
Association for Affirmative Action
888 16th
Street, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC
20006
202.349.9855
