April showers may bring May flowers, but April also brings more opportunities to create better futures for the leaders of tomorrow. This month WE focused heavily on the educational needs of students. Whether ensuring their basic needs are met, pushing for change in Illinois’ higher education system, or celebrating local residents’ completion of a job training program in the construction and utility fields, one thing is for sure―in order to remove barriers to economic equity for all women, […]

You can tell a lot about a person who effortlessly gives of their time, their talents, and their resources without ever asking for anything in return. People who willingly pay it forward, helping to improve the quality of life for others out of sheer kindness, compassion, empathy, and respect for humanity. And one person who embodies this is Women Employed (WE) Advocacy Council member AND The Working Lunch volunteer, Stephanie Kopa. Two years ago, Stephanie, walked away from her full-time […]

Today, the Chicago City Council stood with workers and chose not to halt the city’s One Fair Wage Ordinance, securing the continuation of raises for thousands of tipped workers, the majority of whom are women, Black or Latina/o/x, and earning less than $35,000 a year.The original ordinance, passed in October 2023, gradually phased out the tip credit in Chicago over the course of five years, ensuring that Chicago workers who customarily received a portion of their wages in tips were able to […]

When it comes to corporate responsibility, few people walk the talk quite like Evelyn Rodriguez Estrada. As the Director of Corporate Community Impact at ComEd, she manages programs and builds partnerships with purpose, connecting the company’s resources to the communities and causes that need them most. Her work spans everything from charitable giving and competitive grants to employee volunteerism and executive civic engagement, all rooted in the belief that institutions have a role to play […]

Each year, during the month of March, we recognize women making strides, breaking glass ceilings, taking big leaps, and showing others what happens when action meets community. And this month was no different. In the spirit of celebrating and advocating for women, WE found ourselves visiting partner sites where participants explored career interests; leading panel discussions about the realities entrepreneurs face when navigating complex systems; and closing the month out rallying for pay […]