Women Employed

Good morning! ?? Set an alarm and don't miss it! ?? ???This past Tuesday our President & CEO, Cherita, was invited to appear as a guest on the Fall Premiere of the CAN TV original program Chicago Newsroom 2.0. Interviewed by Andrea Zopp, in a featured segment called One-On-One, Andrea asks about the key initiatives of WE, why the issues matter to women, and what the impact is. Catch the episode TODAY Sunday, September 15th at 12:00 p.m. noon and again on Wednesday, September September 18th at 7:00 p.m. on CAN TV channel 19! #PaidLeave #PayEquity #SalaryTransparency #WEHub #REI #HigherEd

This week the U.S Census Bureau released new wage data from 2023, which shows most of the wage gaps for women have grown wider since 2022. The pay disparities are even more severe for most #WomenOfColor. The #WageGap may have grown wider for women, but our resilience has only gotten stronger. Read about some of the new breakdown on pay gaps by race and gender here - https://bit.ly/3XGWte3

For the second year in a row, Women Employed was recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as #44 out of the TOP 100 2024 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, WE provides top-tier benefits, prioritizes fairness and inclusivity, and is responsive to staff needs. To ensure we are aligned with what we advocate for, WE offer family-friendly and employee-centered benefits such as generous sick time, paid leave, vacation, and health insurance, plus hybrid work and flexible scheduling options, allowing staff to manage responsibilities inside and outside of work. The leadership team holds itself accountable for organizational culture, staff development, and for nurturing and supporting the overall well-being of staff. “We are proud to once again be recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of their Best Places to Work in Chicago,” said Cherita Ellens, MBA, Women Employed’s President and CEO. “This honor reflects our ongoing and steadfast commitment to creating supportive, equitable, and inclusive workplaces not just for the women we advocate for, but for our own staff as well.” Read the full press release here: https://ow.ly/8CbX50TmUt4

?? Calling all entrepreneurs!! Join The Village Legal and Community Project at the Small Business Expo.! Meet vendors who can help you grow your business, attend a breakout session and join us as our CEO talks with Quinton McNair, the owner of Strugglebeard Bakery. Registration is open now: https://ow.ly/XpIQ50TkB4q or at the link in our bio! ?? #entrepreneurship #smallbusinesses #resources

??HEY ENTREPRENEURS: #ICYMI NEW TOOL DROPPED! August is #BlackBusinessMonth, and WE have EXCITING news to share. We know how challenging it can be for small business owners to find and obtain funding for their businesses. After hearing from many of our WE Hub users, we developed our new Money Finder Tool! ?? This tool, designed with WE Hub users in mind, will simplify the process of finding funding sources that align with our users’ various business needs. So, whether it’s looking for grants, loans, or investment opportunities, the Money Finder Tool aims to connect women entrepreneurs, especially the Black, Latina/x, and low-income women who face the greatest funding barriers, with relevant options more efficiently. Learn more at wehub.org/money-finder #WomensEntrepreneurship

?? Mark your calendars??and join us for our next Advocacy Council(AC)! The AC is a group of volunteers who organize monthly to network with our personal and professional communities about how to improve the economic status of women, remove barriers to economic equity and how we can do it TOGETHER. We're excited to invite you to Women Employed’s FY25 Advocacy Council Kickoff Meeting, taking place in person on Wednesday, September 18th, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. CT at Women Employed's offices??downtown Chicago, at 1 E Wacker Drive, 20th Floor Conference Room, Chicago, IL 60601. This meeting marks the beginning of an exciting year for Women Employed. We'll take a moment to reflect on the incredible wins and successes of FY24 and look ahead to what's in store for FY25. This year is especially powerful as we harness this moment in history to propel our mission forward—ensuring women have equitable opportunities and a strong voice in shaping the future. *Light bites and drinks will be provided as we make time and space to connect with fellow advocates and change-makers. *Note: If you absolutely cannot join us in person, please reach out to Michelle Schwartz at [email protected] and we will find a way to include you. Advanced registration is required, here: https://ow.ly/HC5750T64sQ We can't wait to see you there and work together to make FY25 a transformative year! ????

The spotlight on Kamala Harris has fueled a conversation about leadership and working women. What do we really need to build women’s economic power, especially for low-paid women and Women of Color? Check out the recommendations from our Women’s Economic Power Agenda for Illinois: https://lnkd.in/eW4W2t2B #WEPA

Save the date! The Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program application will be open through the State of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) early September. In partnership with Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY) and ISAC, the Illinois Partners for Human Service will hold two webinars in September to discuss the Loan Repayment Program. The first virtual event is Unlocking Loan Repayment: A Guide to the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program on Tuesday, September 10th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. This webinar is for student loan borrowers who are interested in applying for the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program. This event provides loan repayment assistance to qualified human service professionals. Attendees will learn about the process of how to apply and what to expect, including important dates. Register here: https://ow.ly/2gYM50Ti8zZ #BackToSchool #StudentResources

If you have professional marketing and communications experience, and you’re passionate about building a better future for working women, we’re ready to put you to work. Women Employed's Marketing Council advises on digital strategies, event promotions, word-of-mouth marketing, outreach, and more. Join us on Wednesday, September 25th, from 12 noon - 1 p.m. for a??virtual meeting. Please RSVP to Racquel Fullman at [email protected]. Hope to see you there! ????

The Institute for Women's Policy Research long known for its efforts to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society, is hosting the Power+ Summit in Chicago September 23-24 to bring together thought leaders, policymakers, and advocates to shape those bold ideas and develop a plan of action. The opening panel on Monday, September 23rd, including Women Employed’s Associate Director of Coalitions Starr De Los Santos M.A., will unpack what intersectionality looks like in practice. How does it inform the approach and outcomes of our work, how do we communicate its importance, and what does intersectionality mean in research and in policy? Registration now open: https://lnkd.in/gaCDDPjy IWPR's Power+ Summit is not just another conference—it's a call to action. #powerplus2024