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Alabama Women Work! Linda Waide Georgia Women Work! Dr. Bernice Bowen-Montgomery |
Women Work
Women Work! Pay Them Fairly!
Capitol Hill Equal Pay Day Rally
US Capitol Building West Lawn (front lawn)
1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
April 24, 2007
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Equal Pay Day is observed in April to indicate how far into each year a woman must work to earn as much as a man earned in the previous year. In 2007, April 24th symbolizes the day when women’s wages catch up to men’s wages from the previous year. Because women on average earn less, they must work longer for the same pay. For women of color, the wage gap is greater. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) brought the rally to a triumphant conclusion with the words. Equal pay is fair for women, good for families and right for America! |
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Legislators leading the fight for wage equity in the House and the Senate were featured speakers at the rally. (l. to r.) Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) joined Women Work! President and CEO Jill Miller at the podium. |
Women Work! organized an Equal Pay Day Rally to demand Congressional support for women’s wage equity in 2007.
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The rally was motivating for all who attended.
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Evelyn Murphy, founder of the WAGE project also spoke at the rally. |
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act: Implementation Center
After years of effort, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act was signed into law by President Bush on August 12, 2006. The law takes several positive steps to ensure that women in transition have greater access to the career and technical education system.
Read Women Works!’s Advocate’s Guide to Perkins IV
Policy Resources
Perkins Implementation Action Kit
Perkins III Data Tables
Inform your Perkins advocacy with statistics on displaced homemakers and single parents in career and technical education programs in your State.
4 Good Reasons for Starting a Business
While statistically it seems that it is mostly males who start up their own business, this doesn’t have to preclude an woman from doing so. In fact, women may have more reasons to start up their own business and often, more skills. For instance, few men would want to be a beauty consultant, create beautiful nails or apply make-up for a living, but if you have those skills you can easily branch out on your own.
Setting up your own business is not that hard when you put your mind to it. It does not need to be a national retail store. You can start off small and you may even be happy to stay that way, so long as you are making a living. Here are 4 good reasons for starting your own business.
- You have marketable skills, but there is no one in town to hire you. This means that you have found a niche in the market that will likely make you successful if you start up your own business. That said, marketable is the keyword. If you know how to make wagon wheels starting up such a business is not likely to bring in many customers. But if you know how to make other women look fabulous or feel wonderful, then go for it.
State Affiliate Activities
IN – Indiana Women Work! has seen extensive growth since affiliating. In addition to their annual Women & Work conference this year, INWW will be awarding a small scholarship to a woman going back to school.
NE – Nebraska Women Work! is a newer affiliate that has cultivated a committed core of members. They are very proud of their recent accomplishments, including media coverage and the creation of a survey to assess the barriers NE women face in the workforce.
MD – Maryland Women Work! sponsored a conference early this year called “Opportunities for Change in Ocean City ”. They host an annual legislative day where service participants learn about their valuable role in civic matters and meet with delegates from around the state.
Public Policy and Advocacy at Women Work!
- NEW! Women Work! introduces the 2009 Public Policy Agenda! The Public Policy Agenda sets priorities for legislative and advocacy work in the Women Work! national office and in the field. In 2009, Women Work! will fight for policies that bolster the economic security of women and their families.
- Learn more about women’s economic justice issues.
- Follow the status of key public policies that affect women’s employment and educational equity. Visit our Policy Tracker
- Subscribe to Action Works! and add your voice to the nation’s largest network of advocates demanding economic justice and equality for women.
Policy Tracker
Use the Women Work! Policy Tracker to follow developments in federal legislation that affects women entering, re-entering, and advancing in the workplace.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
The nation’s workforce investment system, WIA is long overdue for reauthorization. Women Work! advocates for reforms in WIA to increase women’s access to training for high-skill, high-wage, and nontraditional careers.
Pay Equity Legislation
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act are critical to women’s workplace equity and economic security.
Higher Education Act (HEA)
The 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act contains provisions that will aid nontraditional students in obtaining higher education.
Teaching Tools & Curricula
Women Work!’s teaching tools and curricula are available FREE to organizational members. Resources listed in this section can be downloaded from the Members Only section of this website. Select resources are also available in hard copy or on CD. To order resources complete the order form and mail or fax it to Women Work!. A processing fee of $5 will be charged for each CD ordered.
Work Your Image!
Leader’s Guide – Item # 11
Participant’s Guide – Item # 12
Personal Worksheet – Item # 13
Personal Tip Sheet (English) – Item # 14
Personal Tip Sheet (Spanish) – Item # 15
Family Guide Tip Sheet – Item # 16
Creating a Professional Image to Get and Keep a Job®
8 Signs that Indicate Couple Counselling is Needed
Sometimes problems in relationships sneak up slowly and we become so used to them that we don’t even recognise them as a problem that needs dealing with. Other times we may be so busy with parenting or work responsibilities that we just don’t have the energy to deal with a problem. Or it may be that one partner or spouse is a very giving person who always makes excuses for her partner’s behaviour, whatever it may be.
Then one day you realise that the problem has escalated out of control, or that you simply are not interested in living with your spouse anymore. The trouble is that divorce can cause as many problems as it solves, especially when there are children. If you stop for a few moments and assess your relationship, you may realise that it is time for couple counselling. Here are 8 pointers to help you make that decision.
- When you are not talking, talk is always negative or you are afraid to talk. Communications is often an issue in relationships and if it continues the relationship cannot help but break down. A counsellor can help you find ways of communicating that don’t lead to arguments or one spouse feeling let down.
- When you begin to think of your partner as an adversary. Marriage should be a partnership, not a continual struggle to get what you want as against what he wants. If your spouse becomes an antagonist you cannot have a good relationship.
Member Log-In
This is a private area of Women Work! Online for members only. If you are not a Women Work! current member, please visit our Membership Page for information on joining or renewing. If you are trying to renew your membership, please log-in and follow the prompts to the renewal form.
- If you are a first-time user,
- If you forgot your ID or password,
- If you want to change your password,
- If you require assistance, please contact us at [email protected]or 202-467-6346.
Special Projects
Workforce Development that Works For Women
Women Work! is collecting best practices for serving women in economic transition. Selected best practices will be featured in a publication to be issued by Women Work! in September 2008 and widely disseminated to policymakers and the workforce development community.
Recruiting for the Information Technology Age (RITA)
RITA is a multifaceted initiative to increase the number of women in the information technology sector.
iWorks! A Curriculum for the 21st Century Worker
The iWorks! curriculum, aimed at promoting information literacy for job seekers, is currently being piloted by five Women Work! member programs.
Women Work! Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) Education Campaign
The IDA Education Campaign includes both information about IDAs themselves and information about the recently completed teleconference series regarding these important tools for women’s economic self-sufficiency.
Women Work! State Affiliates
Women Work! State Affiliates are organized groups of members working together to improve the status of women in their states. Together, Women Work! members advance positive social and economic change. In the past year we have seen some incredible work from our states including a published survey documenting barriers faced by women in Nebraska, a legislative lobby day in Maryland and the approval of a joint resolution in the Illinois State Legislature that created a displaced homemaker task force.
State Affiliate Links:
Interested in organizing an affiliate in your state?
Women Work! looks forward to organizing affiliate networks in all 50 states! Our national staff will lend their expertise in helping to create a thriving state level network to further women’s economic security in your state! Contact Sarah Rose-Jensen, Membership and Field Services Manager, to find out more!
Public Policy Priorities 2009
As the nation works its way out of an economic crisis, public policies become all the more important for steering us toward recovery and growth. Policies that strengthen the American workforce, encourage innovation, and support struggling families are an investment that we must make in our future. Given women’s vital role in the workforce, their economic security figures prominently into the economic success of our country and must be supported. In 2009,
Women Work! will fight for policies that bolster the economic security of women and their families.
Economic Recovery That Includes Women
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A broad economic recovery effort is needed to end the ongoing recession, but it must benefit all Americans. Women are a vital part of today’s economy, and in many cases are the sole providers for their families. Federally-funded economic recovery projects present a unique opportunity to end women’s near-exclusion from high-paying, traditionally “male” fields – a condition that contributes to women’s disproportionately high levels of poverty – by ensuring women’s access to jobs created in these fields. To achieve this, strong enforcement of nondiscrimination laws and the advancement of other gender equity provisions are needed.
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Another essential component of economic recovery is Unemployment Insurance modernization, which Congress should fund to help states expand coverage to low-wage and part-time workers – most of whom are women. Federal aid should also be used to bolster safety net programs that provide vital services to disadvantaged populations, including female-headed families. Dollars spent on Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), nutrition and energy assistance, and child care, to name a few examples, will support women at work and be quickly channeled back into the economy. |
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Trainings in the Field
Consider bringing Women Work!’s field team to your next conference, regional meeting or event to conduct a training. To set up a training contact Sarah Rose-Jensen at (202) 467-6346 or at [email protected]. Women Work! staff can present on any of the following topics:
Women Work! The Power of a Network – An overview of Women Work!’s history, activities and membership categories.
Joining the Network – Technical Assistance on State Affiliation
Creating and Living your Vision and Mission – A facilitated process for revisiting or creating a truly representative vision and mission
Economic Equity Insider
Keep up-to-date with the Economic Equity Insider, the Women Work! legislative update on women’s workforce development issues, vocational education, federal financial aid, welfare policy and related issues, which is published weekly when Congress is in session. To receive the Insider, join Women Work! now.
Members, sign in now and go to Download Free Publications to view the current Economic Equity Insider.
Read Past Issues
March
March 10, 2009
- Reminder: Make Your Advocacy Day Appointments!
- Paycheck Fairness Act Gaining Cosponsors in Senate
- While Congress Attempts to Finish FY 2009 Appropriations, Obama Releases Blueprint for FY 2010 Budget
- Family-Friendly Policies Take Center Stage at House Hearing
Advocacy Toolkit
The Women Work! Advocacy Toolkit is designed to give you all the skills you need to be a successful advocate for women’s economic justice and equality.
The Advocacy Toolkit is benefit available only to Women Work! members. Each installment will be released first through the Economic Equity Insider and and will be available to download through the members only section of the web site.
- Women Work! Advocacy Toolkit:Cover
- Women Work! Advocacy Toolkit: Table of Contents
- Women Work! Advocacy Toolkit: How to Use This Guide
- Section #1: Hosting Elected Officials At Your Program
- Section #2: Federal Legislative 101
- Section #3: Meeting with Your Legislators
- Section #4: Engaging Clients in Advocacy
- Section #5: Creating an Advocacy Action Calendar
- Section#6: Using Data/Telling Stories
- Section #7: Budget and Appropriations 101
- Section #8: Managing the Media
- Section #9: Building Relationships With Your Legislator
- Download the entire Tool Kit here
Advertising in We Work! Magazine
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Reach the nation’s largest network of women’s education and job training programs by advertising in We Work! magazine. Our broad and diverse constituency includes members, donors and other supporters that have made an investment in the goals of Women Work!
For an overview of the magazine, click here.
For ad rates or more information, contact Development Manager, Tamika Hodnett-Johnston via email or phone at (202) 467-6346.
Reports and Data
Chutes and Ladders: The Search for Solid Ground for Women in the Workforce
Women Work!’s critical Census study has found that single mothers and displaced homemakers are not a disappearing phenomenon in the United States. In fact, these family groups are on the increase and likely to be vastly over-represented in the nation’s low-paying service jobs. Read more and download the full report…
State Displaced Homemaker Legislation Update
More than ever, state support for displaced homemakers is critical to the needs of this population and the programs that help them reach economic self-sufficiency. Women Work! monitors changes in the legislation and support for program servicing displaced homemakers and produces a legislative update. Read more and find links to state legislation…
Join The Fight For Women’s Economic Security!
Women Work! members include individual supporters of economic equality for women, organizations that assist women to enter, re-enter, and advance in the workforce, and state networks (link to state affiliates) that advocate for women’s economic self-sufficiency.
When you join Women Work! you become a part of the nation’s largest network advocating for the economic security of women through education, training and career advancement. Women Work members also receive benefits such as policy updates, action alerts, and publications for the latest information on the fight for women’s economic justice and security.
Whether you are a large company, a small non-profit, or an individual committed to social equality Women Work! has a membership to fit your needs.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
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Corporate Programmatic Supporters
Women Work! depends on our corporate partners for a variety of programmatic support in areas such as Workforce Development, Financial Education and Asset Building, Career Information and Advancement, Education, Capacity Building, Policy and Advocacy, Affiliate and Member Services, and Leadership Development.
Workforce Development
Bank of America
Biogen Idec
Continental Airlines
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association
Fannie Mae Foundation
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Corporate Board of Advisors
Women Work! is proud to acknowledge corporations that have committed to the women’s training and support organizations by investing in Women Work!’s strategic growth.
The following corporations serve on Women Work!’s Corporate Board of Advisors (CBA), which is designed to advance new initiatives and partnerships with the private sector. The CBA is an exclusive group of mostly Fortune 100 and 500 corporations who assist the organization in implementing institutional development strategies; initiating programs and activities focusing on community, education and business development; and creating strategies to promote women’s employment advancement.
WOMEN WORK! CORPORATE BOARD OF ADVISORS (List current as of June 2007)
Innovative Ways to Give
Join our Empowerment Circle!
Women Work!’s Empowerment Circle is a group whose common bond is a commitment to protecting women’s economic security. By joining, your gift of $100 or more supports our mission.
Happy Birthday
Throw yourself a birthday party, and in lieu of gifts, ask your guests to make a contribution to Women Work! This innovative manner of giving opens our doors to new donors and opens the doors wider for some of our current donors.
Group Gifts
Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This inspirational quote encompasses the spirit of the group gift, a unique way for small group of people to have the large philanthropic impact on Women Work! By giving as a unit, whether as a book club, a doctor’s office staff, a professional association, or as a special group of friends, you can collectively choose to make a gift to an organization that gives a voice to your group’s values.
Traditional Ways to Give
Individual Gift
Individual donors are the lifeline of Women Work! Your contribution, regardless of size, makes our work possible. Cash, check, or credit card are the most direct and immediate ways to support Women Work!
Stock/Securities Gift
By contributing appreciated securities that have been held for more than one year, you receive a tax deduction equal to the stock’s full fair market value while avoiding capital gains taxes on the appreciated portion of the stock. Often times, donating stock and securities allows for making a larger gift than might otherwise be possible.
Make a Pledge
Pledges or promises of support can be made in any amount and may be paid through a single contribution or in multiple payments-monthly, quarterly or multiyear. Annual pledge payments are due at the end of each fiscal year (June 30).
Starting a Business
Many women opt to start their own business, rather than paying the extra cost of purchasing one that is a going concern. They may have special skills and training that mean they can set up as a sole trader to save on the costs of employing staff. Many women who have training as accountant, hairdresser, beauty consultant, or in some other field can even set up in their home to save costs until they get an established clientele.
The need for registration
If you decide to go this route, there are several steps to take that make your business a legal entity and one is registration. This can be done easily enough online and all you have to do is answer some questions on an online form. Once the registration goes through you are given an Australian Business Number (ABN) that you can then use on all your brochures and advertising, not to mention invoices. This ensures a professional look and feel for your business. It is also a legal requirement, needed for your tax returns.
Advertising on Women Work! Career Center
Advertise online at the Women Work! Career Center and reach the thousands of women browsing for jobs regularly. Powered by Career Builder, the Women Work! Career Center gives users access to 1.3 million job listings as well as advice on balancing work and life.
For information about advertising on the Women Work! Career Center, contact Development Manager, Tamika Hodnett-Johnston via email or phone at (202) 467-6346.
Member-Only Area
Login to Women Work!
By logging into the Women Work! members section you can gain access to your profile, members only search and other restricted items.
Login
Not a Member?
Join Women Work! today!
Search the Women Work! Member Directory
Find education, training and service provider organizations in the Women Work! Network.
Search Directory
If you have questions, please contact us at (202) 467-6346 or [email protected].
Corporate Partners Program
Women Work! invites corporations of all sizes to join in our mission to empower current and future generations of American women. Women Work! provides a range of benefits for supporting our critical work. For more information on the Corporate Partners Program, click here or contact Tamika Hodnett-Johnston, Development Manager by email or phone at (202) 467-6346.
We encourage women business owners to become Women Work! partners as well. You understand the challenges women face and the dedication it takes to achieve in the American economy. We welcome your involvement in our organization through the Women’s Business Owners Council, an elite group of women business owners.
Women Work! Corporate Partners
Committed Giving
Supporting Women Work! through a regularly scheduled gift is also known as committed giving. Examples include:
Electronic Transfer
You may choose to make regular payments to Women Work! directly.
Become an Underwriter
Women Work! Underwriters make a 3 year commitment to support the cost of the organization’s most basic operations at $5000/year. Please contact our Individual Gifts Manager for more information at (202) 467-6346.
Women Work! Ask The Expert
Back to School
by Jan Cannon
More Education Needed?
Once you’ve chosen a new career direction, decide if you need more education. This might be a six-week adult-ed class in database management or a new degree in early childhood development.
Q&A with Dr. Richie
I am not happy in my current job, and it’s creating stress in other areas of my life. I think I need a career change, but I have come to be dependent on my salary and am nervous that a job doing something more interesting won’t pay as well. And, I’m unsure about what kind of a job I even want. How do I sort this all out? Sincerely, Ruth
Displaced Homemaker Legislation
Women Work!’s 2002 State Displaced Homemaker Legislation Update
This update contains important information about state displaced homemaker legislation, such as amount of funds appropriated; source of revenue and distribution of funds to SP/DH programs; allowable services; administration of legislation; and contacts in each state for further information.
Download our State DH Legislation Update (pdf, 53kb)
DH Legislation Online
State support for displaced homemaker funding is more important than ever as a means to advocate resources for programs to address the unique needs and to provide services for displaced homemakers. Women Work! understands the necessity and the value this support means at the state level and we continue to monitor information about legislation across the states.
How to Help Your Child Cope with the Divorce
Divorce is often full of bitter recriminations and finding fault. While this is difficult for both parents to go through, it is even harder for children, especially if they hear you fighting over them. They think they have done something wrong and are the cause of the divorce. Then they have to cope with feelings of guilt as well as the anxiety and despair of their parents divorcing.
It is essential to help your child cope with divorce if they are to come out of it relatively unscathed. Sometimes it takes years for a child to get over their parent’s divorce and if they are young at the time they will suffer a great deal throughout their life unless you take charge of the situation to help them. Here are some tips to help your help your child cope.
News & Happenings
Tip Sheets more Accessible
Women Work!’s Work, Money & Life Tip Sheets are now more accessible! View all 43 tip sheets on the Women Work! web site without taking the time to download pdf versions. Slower dial up internet connections will no longer stand in the way of your clients as they seek out practical information on getting an education, finances, finding a job, worker’s rights and work & life balance.
Print versions of Women Work! tip sheets are also still available. Simply view the tip sheet and click the “download print version” to download and print a pdf.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please email all calendar submissions to [email protected]. Include city, state, date, event information and who to contact for more details.
March 2009
- March 12
Women in Science event at Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls SD
This Women in Science event will have 400 girls participating in all day hands on presentations. The presenters will be women who work in various scientific occupational areas. - March 17-18
Career Expo at Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls SDOver 1,200 sophomores from area schools will visit the campus for career exploration activities. Students will attend break-out session in areas of their interests (as tested and determined at their home schools) to listen to professionals in the designated field talk about, demonstrate and offer hands-on activities of their profession.
Glossary
ATM: Stands for Automated Teller Machines, which enable consumers to make deposits and withdrawals from their savings and checking accounts electronically 24 hours a day.
Budget: Also known as a spending plan, it is a plan for spending and saving money that balances household income and expenses.
Balance: The amount of money on deposit in a bank account or outstanding on a loan or credit card.
Bank: A profit-making financial institution where customers can access a variety of services such as checking and savings accounts, credit cards, safe deposit boxes, and loans.
Bank statements: A document that indicates the beginning and ending balance of an account and transactions that have taken place during the statement period.
Bankruptcy: The process of petitioning a court to discharge one’s debts. There are two types of personal bankruptcy: Chapter 7 (liquidation of assets) and Chapter 13 (debt repayment plan).
Chutes & Ladders: The Search for Solid Ground for Women in the Workforce
Comments by Jill Miller, Women Work! President/CEO
Thank you Sandra, and to Congresswoman Solis, a great leader and role model for women across America, and to the entire Congressional Women’s Caucus for hosting us here today.
I had hoped I would stand here today with good news, but unfortunately, I have the disappointing task of reporting that the number of single mothers and displaced homemakers is no better than it was ten years ago. What we have uncovered in today’s report is the dramatic increase in the combined number of single mothers and displaced homemakers – up from 15 million in 1994 to 20.9 million in 2003 an increase overall of 39%.
In fact, the states with percentage increases over 50% include: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
When looking at these two groups together, every state in the nation had an increase during the past decade.
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