ALL IN for what's to come.
Dear Judy,
Happy New Year from all of us at Women Employed! As we begin 2024, we are reflecting upon how grateful we are for the work we did and the victories we achieved in 2023. And we are so thankful for YOU, our supporters, who make all of our work possible. Alongside you, we are ALL IN for what's to come―today, tomorrow, and however long it takes until we achieve equity for ALL. Thank you for joining us in our mission to improve the economic status of women, and remove the barriers to economic equity.
We are stronger together. |
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Make Knowing Your Rights Your New Year's Resolution! |
Women Employed’s 2024 New Year’s resolution is making sure you know your rights. Over the last 50+ years, WE have advocated for and won important workplace rights—including several important victories in just the last year―so that all communities, women, and families can thrive. But you can’t access your rights if you don’t know you have them. That’s why you should make it YOUR resolution to get informed. And we’ve got resources to help!
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Paid Leave for All Workers Act: This new law, which went into effect on January 1st, provides roughly 1.5 million Illinoisans with the right to earn and use up to 40 hours, or 5 days, of paid time off each year, which they can use for any reason. Visit sicktimeil.org to learn more about the law and your new rights. Then spread the word!
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*Note: if you work in Chicago or Cook County, you may have different rights under local ordinances.
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Equal Pay: Everyone deserves to be paid fairly. But women in the U.S. who work full-time, year round, are only paid 83 cents on average for every dollar paid to men. Make sure you know your equal pay rights, and share the information with your friends, family, and colleagues! Visit equalpayillinois.org to do both!
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Your Rights on the Job: In addition to these resources above, Women Employed has a wealth of information and tools to help you learn your workplace rights. Visit https://womenemployed.org/know-your-rights to learn more!
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Apply for Our Summer Leadership Program |
The 2024 application for The Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program is now live! WE’s Summer Leaders receive hands-on experience and skill-building with projects that will move Women Employed’s work forward, as well as access to training and mentorship by professionals in a variety of fields in the world of social justice.
Over the course of eight weeks, program participants will be introduced to front-line research, will grow their awareness of the barriers low-paid workers experience, and will become familiar with the history and future of the women’s movement. Interns meet Mondays and Wednesdays, virtually, from June 10th through July 31st, and will receive a $2,400 stipend for their work to support women’s economic power.
The deadline to apply is March 27, 2024. Learn more and apply here! |
“She Says” with Natrina Kennedy, MPH |
Natrina Kennedy, MPH, has made it her mission to stand up to the healthcare disparities that Black women face through her organization, Women’s Health Initiative, Inc. (WHI). But it took a few calculated risks and stepping into the unknown to get there.
Recognizing that her calling was bigger than her, Natrina―a native Chicagoan who WE honored at The Working Lunch in 2023 as an Emerging Power Builder―says that it was the feeling of being unsettled that led her to change her career path. From switching majors in her last year of undergrad, to using an assignment as the blueprint for WHI, to listening to the needs of her network of women, Natrina and WHI have found a way to give Black women the healthcare access they need through community. This not only empowers women but gives them the space for intergenerational connections and a voice in decision-making processes.
But Natrina is showing no signs of slowing down. She is currently in school to obtain her doctorate in public health with a concentration in women's and reproductive health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She also has plans to open a wellness center on the far south side of Chicago, which will bring cultural awareness services to the Black women in her community and provide everything from yoga, sleep and nutritional coaching, therapy, and more.
In this month’s “She Says,” Women’s Health Initiative, Inc. founder Natrina Kennedy talks with us about taking calculated risks, being unsettled, and how she and her organization are going all in. |
Check out our 2024 Legislative Agenda |
Women Employed is leading or co-leading with partners to advance the following priorities in 2024. These priorities will ensure that women—especially women in low-paid jobs and Black and Latina/x women—can build their income and wealth.
2024 began strong, as one major item from our 2023 legislative agenda went into effect on the first of the year! The Paid Leave for All Workers Act provides workers across Illinois the right to earn up to five days of paid time off for any reason—to care for yourself or an ill family member, to chaperone a school field trip, to take a well-deserved vacation, or for any other reason.
We hope to be as successful with the rest of Women Employed’s powerful 2024 agenda, including:
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Securing Paid Family & Medical Leave for all workers
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Passing the Work Without Fear Act to protect immigrant workers when they try to assert their rights against unlawful work practices
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Increasing the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant to ensure college is in reach for all Illinois students
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Creating an Illinois Child Tax Credit (CTC) to help Illinois’ families with rising costs of living
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Funding Higher Education Equitably to ensure investments in our public colleges and universities serve the students and institutions that need the funding most
Wanna know more? Check out our full legislative agenda here! |
Join Tonight’s Advocacy Council Meeting |
Women Employed’s Advocacy Council is an informed group of volunteers who organize and advocate to advance WE’s mission to improve the economic status of women and remove barriers to economic equity. Our first meeting of 2024 is tonight, and WE would love for you to join us!
What does the Advocacy Council do?
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WE mobilize our networks through events, e-advocacy, and social media to bring the voices of young women to the movement for change.
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WE inform personal and professional networks about the problem of low-paid work and what we can do together to solve it.
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WE advocate to improve public policies to ensure fairness and open opportunities.
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WE “Friendraise” and fundraise to strengthen Women Employed’s programs.
Want to learn more about the council, or WE in general? Come tonight! Registration is required.
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Hey Marketers! Do you have a background in marketing, communications, PR, social media, and advertising? Are you passionate about building a better future for working women and looking for an opportunity to make an impact while expanding your network? If so, WE are looking for YOU!
The Women Employed Marketing Council meets quarterly, via Zoom, to:
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Assist with event planning and marketing strategies.
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Advise on WE strategies to engage key WE audiences.
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Organize online engagement, digital campaigns, print communications, and develop word of mouth marketing strategies.
Our next Marketing Council meeting is on Thursday, February 22nd from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
To learn more about the Marketing Council and how you can join, email Judy Miyashita, Director of Marketing and Communications at jmiyashita@womenemployed.org.
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Where in the World is Women Employed? |
2024 is here and although it’s a new year, Women Employed remains committed to showing up and showing out whenever and wherever needed to advocate for groups who need it most. Whether it’s joining a collective of like-minded women to advance a shared vision or braving freezing temperatures to discuss the current state of corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and their impact on diverse professionals, WE are all in.
Here's a recap of our January and a brief snapshot of what’s to come so that you’re not left wondering, “Where in the world is Women Employed?”
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Get Your Tickets for the 10th Annual Chicago Cider Summit |
SAVE THE DATE! For the second year in a row, Women Employed has been selected as the non-profit beneficiary of the 10th annual Chicago Cider Summit Festival!
The summit is the region’s largest hard cider tasting event, featuring local, regional, and international mead, cider cocktails, apple spirits, and more. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 3rd, from 2:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m. and join us at Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom!
Get your tickets today! A portion of every ticket purchased supports Women Employed, and if you use the code WEx2 at checkout the Cider Summit will double their donation to our organization. Tickets must be purchased in advance by February 2nd and will not be sold at the door: https://www.cidersummitnw.com/chicago.
If you have questions or are interested in volunteering with Women Employed at the summit, please email Michelle Schwartz at mschwartz@womenemployed.org.
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