Happy holidays from Women Employed! In this issue, we take a moment to thank you for your support and commitment to improving the lives of working women. Plus, hear from former summer intern Reyna Moreno, and read about an exciting job opportunity at Women Employed for a Senior Career Pathways Manager!

Learn about our recently-launched ASPIRE Project and the ten colleges partnering with us to rethink and rework developmental education, see what happens when student parents can’t find child care, help us better support Illinois’ Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) by taking our survey, learn about HB 12—a new law which makes more education support staff eligible for family and medical leave, and more!

Watch a recording of our July 21st event with Chicago State University on their recently released “Equity Working Group for Black Student Access and Success in Illinois Higher Education” Action Plan.” Plus, learn about our higher ed wins in Springfield, take our survey to help survivors of domestic violence, share your insights on supports that Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) need, and more!

You’re invited! Join us on July 12th for a presentation with Young Invincibles on our Advocacy in Action workshops at the 2021 College Changes Everything Conference, and register for our July 21st event with Chicago State University for a discussion about their recently released “Equity Working Group for Black Student Access and Success in Illinois Higher Education” Action Plan.”

Learn about Women Employed’s Accelerating Student Progress and Increasing Racial Equity (ASPIRE) project, register to attend the College Changes Everything Conference, join us to learn about the digitized Career Foundations curriculum, read about the what’s new with Ability to Benefit in Illinois, and provide comments on the IBHE strategic plan!

Learn more about Women Employed’s paid summer internships through The Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program, read about our latest victory in Springfield, access free workshops for students to become equipped advocates, help us spread the word about current job openings on our team, and join us in celebrating Senator McGuire!

Join Women Employed for a webinar addressing racial equity gaps in higher ed, access free workshops for students to become equipped advocates, take a survey to help improve supportive services in Illinois, learn about your rights to employment rights and protections during the pandemic, and take a survey to share your input about WE’s work!

Read a letter from our CEO calling for racial justice, learn how the revised state budget in Illinois will impact higher education, access our list of resources for adult students impacted by the pandemic, share ideas and best practices for virtual learning, watch a testimonial about the importance of adult education, and read our recommendations to Congress to recover from the pandemic.

Read about our top Policy Priorities for 2020, access our new manufacturing Bridge Curricula, learn about expanded Child Care assistance, submit a proposal for the upcoming College Changes Everything Conference, read how new work requirements for SNAP could affect recipients, and encourage eligible students to apply for the Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program!