Armed with the strength and persistence.
Dear Judy,
As we close out 2023, I am experiencing a conflict of emotions. I am inspired, motivated, and proud of all that we accomplished this past year—including the wins highlighted in this issue. In the face of great challenges, we took real and meaningful steps towards increasing equity and closing the gap of economic power. I also feel frustrated, angry, and saddened by the sheer awfulness around us, and the constant pushback on our humanity and rights. I suspect many of you are feeling some of the same things.
It’s okay to feel anger about what’s been lost or what is happening, overwhelmed by the gravity and depth of the problems and the work required to move change forward, disenchanted by those in positions of power who are supposed to be serving in the interest of the people, and anxious about what’s next.
The problems are far too big for any single person or organization to solve. We must lean on the power of collective impact. Because when we work together, we are fierce—we are unstoppable. Audre Lorde once said, “if there is one thing we can learn from the 60s, it is how infinitely complex any move for liberation must be, and focus our rage for change upon our enemies rather than upon each other.”
As I close out this year, I will reflect on how to center my self-care and self-preservation so I am armed with the strength and persistence needed to do the work at hand; and how we as an organization will show up as better leaders and partners, harnessing the power of collective impact to advance equity for all. I hope you’ll take the time you need to reflect, recharge, and care for yourselves as well.
Thank you to all who supported us, partnered with us, and fought alongside us in 2023. The progress we made this year is profound, and a testament to all of you. Here’s to even more of that in 2024. Here’s to becoming an unstoppable force for good.
In solidarity, |
Cherita Ellens
President & CEO |
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Read Our 2023 Impact Report |
WE are ALL IN. When Women Employed (WE) was founded in 1973, we knew the stakes were high. That the challenges might be daunting. That winning equity for working women would not be easy. But for 50 years, WE have been ALL IN. WE have never backed down. WE have been tenacious. WE have done the research, forged the connections, built the coalitions, fostered the partnerships, and rallied the advocates to make change happen.
The world looks different for women than it did in 1973. And, as we close out our 50th year, we know there is still much to be done. This year, WE made incredible leaps forward, which you’ll read about in this report. And WE are ALL IN for what’s to come—today, tomorrow, and for however long it takes until we achieve equity for ALL.
Thank you for your support this past year. Read on to learn how WE are stronger because you’re ALL IN, too. |
Ten Great WE Moments of 2023 |
In addition to the victories highlighted in this year’s 50th anniversary Impact Report and the decades of work that went into them, WE are proud of all the work that we accomplished this year. From kicking the year off with the passage of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, to being recognized as #22 out of the top 100 of Crain’s 2023 Best Places to Work in Chicago, to the nail-biting victory when the City of Chicago passed an expanded Paid Time Off Ordinance, WE have proven that we are not slowing down—we are doubling down, and we will continue to smash the status quo so all working women can thrive.
And because we couldn’t highlight every achievement in this year-end roundup, we have narrowed down our list to 10 great WE moments of 2023 in the order they happened.
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You deserve fair pay! WE partnered with the Illinois Department of Labor to build a campaign, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau’s FARE grant, to inform Illinois women of their equal pay rights. We reached over 17,000 people across Illinois through community outreach and education, and our digital media campaign was seen over 12.2 million times! Learn More.
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Paid leave for Illinois workers! With your help, we made history for Illinois families in January with the passage of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. This decade-long victory will provide up to 40 hours, or five days, of paid time off for 1.5 million full- and part-time Illinois workers that they can use for any reason. The new law goes into effect on January 1st, and we will work hard to ensure Illinoisans know their new rights. Learn More.
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We had so much to celebrate! During our 50th anniversary celebration, The Working Lunch, we not only celebrated five decades of improving the economic status of women, we ALSO honored five individuals and organizations for their commitment to opening doors, crashing ceilings, and creating fundamental systemic change. We thank all of you who helped make this year’s luncheon one to remember! Special thanks to Wind Creek Chicago Southland for their generous day of donation helping us to exceed our fundraising goal, and ComEd for being our leading sponsor.
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Making education more affordable for all! This year, WE advocated for and won an additional $100 million in funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP), which provides need-based financial aid to Illinois students. Now, every single Illinois student who is eligible will receive a MAP grant!
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A significant step towards closing the gender wage gap! We were instrumental in winning a salary transparency law in Illinois, which Governor Pritzker signed in August. Going into effect January 2025, the new law requires businesses with 15 or more employees to include a pay range and a general description of benefits and other compensation in job postings. Learn More.
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Removing barriers to student success! Thanks to a multi-year grant from the ECMC Foundation, Women Employed was able to extend our Accelerating Student Progress and Increasing Racial Equity (ASPIRE) Project, an innovative program that works directly with 10 community colleges across Illinois to improve developmental education—a significant contributor to racial achievement gaps in higher ed. The ASPIRE Project is part of Women Employed’s long-standing effort to make college more accessible for adults and equitable for students of color. Learn More.
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Living our values! Women Employed was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as #22 out of the top 100 Crain’s 2023 Best Places to Work in Chicago! We have been recognized for our deep commitment to equity, which starts here in our own workplace. As a small non-profit of 25 staff members, WE provides top-tier benefits, prioritizes fairness and inclusivity, and is responsive to staff needs. Learn More.
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Entrepreneurship = economic freedom! In September, WE celebrated the 1-year anniversary of our Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub (WE Hub). WE Hub is an innovative, free online tool to provide Illinois women―especially Black, Latina/x, and/or low-income women―with information and resources to launch and grow their own businesses. In our first year, 367 people—more than one per day—signed up to achieve their own vision of success. Learn More.
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A full and fair wage for tipped workers! In October, Chicago’s City Council passed an ordinance to end the subminimum wage for tipped workers. The One Fair Wage Ordinance phases out the subminimum wage for tipped workers in Chicago over five years ensuring that they receive a FULL minimum wage with tips on top. Learn More.
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Expanding paid time off in Chicago! Following the passage of Illinois’s new Paid Leave for All Workers law, we joined our partners to advocate for an expanded paid time off ordinance for the City of Chicago in November, to ensure Chicago’s protections don’t lag behind. We debated, negotiated, mobilized, and advocated, and with your help, we won! The new ordinance will go into effect on July 1st, 2024. Learn More.
*BONUS* The City and State Celebrated WE! WE are proud to have received two great honors in March in recognition of our 50th anniversary. The City of Chicago declared March 8 2023―International Women’s Day―as Women Employed Day in Chicago. WE also received a proclamation from the State of Illinois recognizing our five decades of impact and celebrated with us during Women’s History Month. |
“She Says” with Stephanie Bryan |
For Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair and CEO, meeting challenges head on is a part of the job she embraces and values. “I have seen, firsthand, that our struggles have made us stronger. At our core, we understand that taking action when times are difficult has allowed us to survive, become more resilient, and ready ourselves for future opportunities.”
Bryan’s own path to leadership reflects those values. In her almost 20-year career in Tribal government, Stephanie has gone from being the only woman on Poarch’s 9-member Tribal Council to now leading that governing body that includes three other women council members.
Raised by a family with strong women, Stephanie was instilled with strong faith and a belief that anything was possible from an early age. In good times and bad, it was the women in her life who encouraged her to keep working toward her goals. Stephanie says that she is grateful to have the opportunity to honor those women by giving members of Poarch’s younger generations the tools they need to succeed and move on to the next phases of their lives. It is a reward, she says, that she values beyond anything money could ever buy.
In this month’s “She Says,” Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Stephanie Bryan, shares with us her humble beginnings, her philosophy of life and leadership, how she works daily to improve the quality of life for her Tribal Members and Poarch’s neighbors, and her commitment to developing the next generation of women leaders. |
Where in the World is Women Employed |
2023 was certainly one to remember for Women Employed, and not just because it was our 50th anniversary year. WE attended more events, hosted, participated, and moderated both in-person AND virtual panels, lent our voice to countless interviews, planning sessions, and forums, and traveled throughout Illinois and across the country to continue advocating for policies that benefit working women.
As the year comes to close, we attended luncheons, launches, and squeezed in time to celebrate and bond with one another as an organization. It was the perfect way to end another phenomenal year. We thank you for joining Women Employed as we ventured near and far during our golden anniversary and look forward to taking you with us on our travels in the new year.
Here’s a lookback to December. Happy Holidays! |
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