| Dear Judy,
“The light of love is always in us, no matter how cold the flame. It is always present, waiting for the spark to ignite, waiting for the heart to awaken.” - bell hooks
These days I find myself intentionally choosing to create and experience moments of joy, peace, and love. It is a part of my self-care commitment. At this point, everyone is keenly aware of the challenges and work ahead as we fight like hell to protect equality, equity, and justice for all. As we fight to ensure everyone’s humanity and dignity is respected and acknowledged. This awareness has left many of us in a chronic state of stress (fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, sadness, etc.) and that can have an impact on our health, our ability to focus or be productive, or to experience joy. This is the goal of the opposition, to numb us from the sensational acts of destruction and degradation, and stop us from being compassionate, empathetic, resilient, vigilant, strategic.
We learned from Audre Lorde that self-care is a radical act of political warfare, it’s self-preservation. Self-preservation is essential to sustain our activism and ourselves. One of the ways I practice self-preservation and create moments of joy and peace is reading. This month, I decided to re-read all about love: New Visions by bell hooks. I was intentionally looking for something to balance out the antipathy brewing inside me because I know it is better, healthier, and more effective to lead with love rather than anger. Through her written words, hooks reminded me that “indeed, all great movements for social justice in our society have strongly emphasized a love ethic.” This makes sense as love is a verb, and it’s demonstrated through service and affirmation for others. The most effective activism is based in love. Love for yourself, for people who are marginalized and oppressed, love for your family and community, love for your country.
Because this is the month of love and friendship, I invite you to balance the anger, fear and frustration you feel, and create intentional moments to feel and show love. To experience joy. To practice self-care and self-preservation. And to root your activism in love.
In Solidarity, |
Cherita Ellens
President & CEO |
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“She Says” with Allie Sundet |
You know… We’re never too old to learn a thing or two from our mothers. From the moment they discover they are carrying us, they immediately go into mom mode, thinking about how to protect us, give us the best of everything, and teach us things like how to be kind, compassionate, and loving human beings. We also learn from them how to balance, shift, and adjust, all while showing up for others and caring for ourselves during life’s most uncertain moments. Because, after all, when they gave birth to us, they also gave birth to new versions of themselves. Versions they have never met, nor known, were inside of them, and spend years simultaneously nurturing us while re-learning how to nurture themselves, within and outside of motherhood. Lessons like this are important, especially today, as we remember to put ourselves first and still practice self-love in the midst a deluge of assaults on our rights from the new administration.
New mom and Women Employed (WE) volunteer, Allie Sundet, knows this all too well. After giving birth to her son five months ago, she is learning how to balance life as a working mom, a partner, and a supporter, and still find time to center her own needs and cultivate joy. And she is taking it all in stride by demanding small increments of time to practice self-care—and recognize that as an act of resistance—enforcing her boundaries, learning how to relinquish control, and being vulnerable with her community when she is in need. She’s also instilling some of those same lessons in her son so that he’ll know how to fill his own cup back up when it is empty, or when life delivers him a difficult hand.
As the saying goes, “The mothers will save us all,” and in this month’s “She Says,” we talk with mother, Advocacy and Marketing Council member, Allie Sundet about the importance of pouring back into herself, centering her own voice, and protecting her peace. |
What WE Are Talking About |
We are just weeks into the new administration, and we are already experiencing a multitude of threats that put our hard-won rights in peril. Women Employed will advocate even harder for working women and their families, and keep our supporters, like you, informed. That’s why we’ve launched For the Common Good, where WE will break down important issues that impact working women and their families—including the roles and the work of key federal agencies, departments, and programs—and actions YOU can take to make an impact.
This month we shared videos on the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the U.S. Department of Labor. You can watch both videos here and here.
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The threats to our rights are real, and they are frightening. To fight them, we must all stand together, firmly on the side of equity and opportunity for all. Together, we have the power to force change and protect those who need it most.
Sign up for our Action Network to learn about important information and actions you can take. And check out our webpage at womenemployed.org/commongood to keep up with all the latest. |
Purchase your tables for The Working Lunch! |
The event we’ve all been waiting for is back! Women Employed’s signature fundraising event, The Working Lunch returns on Thursday, May 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Hilton Chicago. Join us as we celebrate over 50 years of championing women’s rights, removing barriers to economic equity, and ensuring women have resources and pathways to thrive; and as we look ahead towards continuing to amplify their needs and remove the barriers to economic equity.
Since February is the month of love, we invite you to show some love for WE by becoming a table leader today! Join us as we continue Centering Women’s Voices and advocating for strategic solutions to fight rollbacks, advance progress, and support working women.
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Questions? Contact Event and Volunteer Manager, Shelby Flores at sflores@womenemployed.org or (312) 481-6771.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Jessica Swim at jswim@womenemployed.org.
And don’t forget, individual ticket sales for The Working Lunch open in March. Stay tuned for details so you can celebrate alongside us! |
Do you have what it takes to be a Summer Leader? |
Are you, or someone you know, a college student interested in social justice? Applications for The Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program, Women Employed’s paid summer internship, are NOW OPEN!
The Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program provides a unique opportunity for professional skill building and practical experience by exposing a team of interns to leadership training, front-line research, and an awareness of the barriers low-paid workers experience.
The program seeks to introduce students to all areas of nonprofit work through workshops, guest speakers, and projects. Throughout the summer, interns will become familiar with the history and future of the women's movement; participate in professional development workshops on effective advocacy, nonprofit organizational development, and communications; and explore aspects of social justice work with guest speakers.
If you or someone you know is interested in a career in nonprofit work and passionate about improving women's economic status, make sure to apply TODAY! The deadline is March 28th! |
Apply for the Equal Pay Chicago Coalition Scholarship |
The Barb Yong Equal Pay Scholarship, awarded by the Equal Pay Chicago Coalition (EPCC) supports social justice-minded college students (full- or part-time, 2-year or 4-year) from Chicago in their educational pursuits. This scholarship is designed for students dedicated to advancing social justice and addressing critical issues such as gender equity, racial justice, education access, and workers' rights.
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Scholarship Amount: $1,000
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Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Who Should Apply? If you are a student who has volunteered, participated in school clubs, or have a passion for promoting equal rights and ending discrimination, we encourage you to apply. This scholarship is for students who believe in building a fair and just society, no matter where they are on their journey to making a meaningful impact. Part-time and undocumented students are eligible and encouraged to apply.
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MIT Management Sloan School |
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