Women Employed | Equity for Women in the Workforce

Nonprofit you will love by the end of this email:

Women Employed

Right off the bat, here are some of the organization's achievements:

For almost 50 years, WE has been at the forefront of advocating for fair, safe, inclusive, and equitable workplaces and increasing access to education and training that leads to good jobs. We’ve played a leadership role in many of the most important economic advances women have made over the last five decades: helping write the rules that defined sexual harassment as illegal; opening white-collar opportunities for women; winning stronger enforcement of equal opportunity laws; calling public attention to discriminatory workplace practices; increasing women’s participation in post-secondary education and training leading to good jobs; winning tens of millions of dollars in need-based financial aid; working with a wide range of stakeholders to win the passage of the right to earn sick time for nearly one million workers in Chicago and Cook County; winning a No Salary History law in Illinois to reduce bias in women’s pay—and that’s just to name a few!

Challenges that they are trying to overcome at the moment:

The work of Women Employed is as critical and relevant than ever, as we work to emerge from a pandemic that’s had a hold on us for two years; to emerge from a ‘she-cession’ that’s had alarming impacts on women—especially Black and Latina/x women—and their families; and to emerge from workplace policies and practices that if we are honest, never worked for many of us. According to the January BLS jobs report, there are nearly 1.1 million fewer women in the workforce now compared to February 2020. The oppression we face is systemic, so the solutions must also be systemic.

Goals for 2022:

In the midst of the pandemic, Women Employed launched a new strategic plan to grow the economic power of women in Illinois who are in low or unpaid work, and who are Black and/or Latina/x. We are working to ensure the appropriate recognition and compensation of essential paid and unpaid work done by women, including eliminating the subminimum wage for tipped workers, winning paid leave, and increasing pay equity. We are also working to radically shift the distribution of resources by reducing women’s debt and increasing women’s income and asset generation. And we are forging new pathways to economic security, leadership, and wealth by improving racial equity in higher education and strengthening career pathways systems to ensure economic mobility.

Longer term goals: 

Our bold social goal is to close the wealth gap at the intersection of race and gender. This work is vitally important, and our focus on women in low-paid roles, and women who are Black and Latina/x is intentional, because it is precisely those women who have been most impacted by our current ‘shecession,’ and who face the largest gaps and disparities in every area from jobs to pay equity to wealth to health outcomes.

How you can help:

Sign up to receive monthly updates via WE’s newsletter, WE-Zine: https://womenemployed.org/subscribe/#we-zine-hook

How to donate:

https://donate.womenemployed.org/give/373768/#!/donation/checkout

Special highlights: 

WE would love to share these videos that highlight the impact of WE’s work on real people!

Video #1: Valencia Garrett went back to work two weeks after having a C-section because she did not have access to paid leave. Watch her tell her story. 

Video #2: This video features Fernando, a transition specialist at City Colleges of Chicago, who is one of the amazing education providers we partner with to help adult students succeed. Here he tells his story, why he’s passionate about his work, & the role Women Employed plays in helping students succeed. 

Upcoming events: 

The Working Lunch is WE’s signature luncheon and one of Chicago’s premier spring events. It is attended by activists, community partners, and prominent leaders in philanthropy, business, media, and politics. This year’s hybrid event offers in person and virtual options to attend. Join us as we honor and celebrate individuals who have dedicated their lives to championing equity for women, and are unwavering in their commitment to ensuring fundamental and systemic change at all levels. All proceeds will support our mission and purpose.

Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Time: Networking (in person): 11:30am-12:30pm, Program (in person + virtual): 12:30pm-1:30pm

Location: Hybrid | In person location: The Chicago Cultural Center

Visit womenemployed.org/twl for more information and to get tickets!

Currently hiring for: 

From all of us at The Nonprofit Newsletter and at Women Employed, thank you for reading!