WE-Zine, WE's monthly e-newsletter, provides regular policy updates, news about our work, and information about our issues. 

February 21, 2024

Not always validated, but wholeheartedly affirmed.

January 24, 2024

2024 New Year’s Resolutions

December 22, 2023

Ten Great WE Moments of 2023

November 30, 2023

What WE Are Thankful For

October 25, 2023

A Monumental Victory

September 29, 2023

Valuing Workers. Embracing Change.

August 24, 2023

It’s That Time, Back to School

July 27, 2023

Celebrating Our Summer Leaders

In July, we celebrated Women Employed’s 2023 class of The Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program on National Intern day. Hear from them in their own words! We marked Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and National Disability Independence Day, and shared news on two disappointing Supreme Court rulings, and two new proposed ordinances in the City of Chicago. We then featured Wind Creek Chicago Southland as they presented Women Employed with a check for $70,000. Be sure to check the latest installment of out our ASPIRE Racial Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series featuring Dr. Royel Johnson, and all of the incredible work Women Employed is doing outside the office in our “Where in the World is Women Employed?” column.

June 30, 2023

The Ongoing Fight for Equality and Inclusion

In June, we celebrated Pride, and participated in LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day. We also celebrated Father’s Day this month, as the dads of Women Employed shared their paid leave stories and why not just moms, but dads need paid leave too, in our special edition of “He Says.” Also our 50th Anniversary The Working Lunch recap video is here! Be sure to check out our ASPIRE Racial Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series which continued with a workshop led by Dr. Sara Furr, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at The Field Museum. Not to mention all of the incredible work Women Employed is doing outside the office in our “Where in the World is Women Employed?” column.

May 31, 2023

Cheers to 50 Years

In May, we celebrated 50 years of smashing the status quo at The Working Lunch!  Your participation, either in-person or virtual, and your support whether in the form of sponsorship, participating in our raffle, or donating to WE, made it one to remember. We then featured Taylor Leven, Headspace Barber owner in “She Says,” who also shared her story at The Working Lunch and celebrated victories when the IL General Assembly passed the Salary Transparency bill and then the State Budget increasing $100M in Monetary Award Program (MAP) funding! Not to mention all of the incredible work Women Employed is doing outside the office in our “Where in the World is Women Employed?” column.

April 1, 2023

The Power of Your Voice

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and more than 5 years after the hashtag #MeToo took social media and the public consciousness by storm, we are still deeply conscious of the need for more progress on sexual harassment and violence in our workplaces and our society. This month’s “She Says,” features WE’s Director of Business Development, Ibie Hart, as she shares her experience with sexual harassment at a prior job and finding safety at Women Employed. April is also National Volunteer Month and we’re looking for a robust group staff The Working Lunch, right around the corner! Not to mention all of the incredible work Women Employed is doing outside the office in our “Where in the World is Women Employed?” column.

March 30, 2023

Women’s History Month = Progress and Community

In March, we celebrated Women’s History Month in a major way. Starting off with announcing the honorees for our 50th anniversary celebration, The Working Lunch, we then shared that Women Employed has received not one, but two proclamations. The first from the City of Chicago, declaring that March 8th, which is International Women’s Day, would be recognized as Women Employed Day in the city and the second from the state, recognizing WE’s work during the month of March. We then featured, Barb Yong, founder of of the Equal Pay Day Chicago Coalition in “She Says,” encouraged supporters to vote for Women Employed to receive a grant from Old National Bank, recapped our most recent ASPIRE Speaker Series with guest speaker, Angell Howard, and all of the incredible work Women Employed is doing outside the office in our “Where in the World is Women Employed?” column.

February 27, 2023

Women Employed Celebrates 50 Years of Smashing the Status Quo

This month, we began our 50th anniversary celebration, with an opening letter from our President & CEO, Cherita Ellens, opened up registration for The Working Lunch, celebrated 30 years of FMLA with an invitation to the White House for the celebratory event and held a virtual press conference discussing the need for paid family and medical leave for all Illinois workers, highlighted Black History Month, shared our Equal Pay tip sheet, featured our Program and Research Coordinator, Efrata Sasahulih, in “She Says.” We also launched two new columns. The first, “Where in the World is Women Employed?” provides a recap of all the events we have attended, hosted, or participated in, and our ASPIRE Speaker Series.

 

January 27, 2023

We Made History for Illinois Families

This month, we celebrated a decades-long victory in passing the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, previewed our 50th anniversary celebration, opened up applications for our Summer Leadership Program, began accepting honorees for our annual luncheon, The Working Lunch, welcomed our new staff members, and featured Michelle Foik, co-owner of ERIS Brewery and Cider House in our “She Says” column.

December 22, 2022

Happy Holidays from Women Employed

This issue was a year-in-review, highlighting some of our major accomplishments. In the past year, we published our Intersecting Barriers research report that discussed the challenges to economic empowerment for domestic violence survivors, we won an additional $122 million for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) in Illinois, hosted a conversation with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos on the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act which was signed into law in March, launched our Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub and WE Consulting, helped launch the Illinois Full and Fair Wage Coalition, and we joined The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) as a lead partner on the Illinois FARE Grant project, which raises awareness of pay equity and pay transparency standards among women workers, particularly low-paid Women of Color. This issue also featured long-time WE supporter, Kate Everson, in our “She Says” column.

November 18, 2022

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day is Nov. 30th

In this issue, we acknowledge the pay disparity between Native Women and their white, male counterparts, celebrate Board of Directors Chair, Board Chair Lynn Watkins-Asiyanbi on being recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of their 2022 Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders, highlight our Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub, as November is National Entrepreneurship Month, share what Women Employed is thankful for in a special edition of “She Says,” and promote some of our upcoming events.

October 27, 2022

Promoting Economic Independence for Domestic Violence Survivors

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in this issue we discussed the next stages of our work to support economic independence of domestic violence survivors in Chicago. Plus, check out our 2022 Impact Report where we highlighted our accomplishments over the past year and visit our Student Debt Resources page for up-to-date information for student borrowers and answers to their frequently asked questions. Learn about WE Consulting, our suite of consulting services to help companies build a culture of inclusion and belonging, read the latest installment of our “She Says” series, featuring Kathleen Flynn-Barnett, and join our next advocacy council meeting.

September 29, 2022

Entrepreneurship = Economic Freedom

In this issue, learn about the brand new Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub (WE Hub) that Women Employed just launched, and how business ownership is a pathway to closing wealth gaps and ensuring economic freedom for women. Plus, learn your rights related to equal pay and pay transparency, help us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, join us for our Silenced No More event on October 6th, and more!

August 29, 2022

The Back to School Issue

Learn about the Biden Administration’s announcement of federal student debt cancellation and find out if it could apply to you! Plus, make sure you know about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, learn about our new and improved Career Foundations curriculum, read about the far-reaching impacts of Title IX, and join us in thanking the Girls Up Club at Lake Park High School for making a gift to Women Employed!

July 28, 2022

Happy National Intern Day!

Meet the 2022 class of the Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program! Plus, help us welcome a new slate of Board Directors, congratulate Women Employed staff who earned recent promotions, learn how entrepreneurship can mean economic freedom for women, join our team, and more!

June 29, 2022

It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Read Women Employed President and CEO, Cherita Ellens’ feelings about the overturning of Roe and Casey, learn about LGBTQIA Equal Pay Awareness Day, Register for the 2022 College Changes Everything Conference, take action and tell the Senate to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, complete the women workers and student survey for a chance to win a gift card, share your story about being forced to come back to work too soon after welcoming a child, read Sarah Labadie, Associate Director of Policy’s blog post on how Illinois can lead on paid leave in the Midwest, and register for a virtual event featuring WE President & CEO, Cherita Ellens.

May 31, 2022

Looking Within & Changing the Future

Read Women Employed President and CEO, Cherita Ellens’ letter imploring all of us to be part of the solution to what’s going on in the world, watch our recap video from this year’s The Working Lunch-Hybrid Edition, check out the preview for our Entrepreneurship Hub and sign up, learn how you can take action by urging President Biden to cancel student debt, join us in celebrating the approval of the Illinois proposal for an Ability to Benefit process, meet our new staff members, and up for our June Advocacy Council meeting.

April 22, 2022

Behind the Scenes at Women Employed

Take a behind the scenes look at the magic that is Women Employed, read feedback from our sexual harassment training and learn how to hire Women Employed to facilitate a training for your staff, apply for Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot and receive $500 a month in cash assistance for 12 months, celebrate our legislative victories, purchase both virtual and raffle tickets for The Working Lunch–Hybrid Edition, urge your senators to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in time for Mothers’ Day, join us in congratulating Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on becoming the first Black Woman confirmed to the Supreme Court, and check out the replay from our Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program webinar.

March 24, 2022

Women’s History Month

Read a letter from our President and CEO, Cherita Ellens on her reflections from Women’s History Month, learn details and purchase tickets for our signature luncheon, The Working Lunch–Hybrid Edition, take action for MAP funding, check out our interview with WE Board member and Vice President of Large Customer Operations at ComEd, Diana Sharpe, register for an upcoming events, apply for the Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program, and take our WE-Zine Subscriber Survey.

February 25, 2022

Making News + Breaking News

Learn why we’re excited about Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, read about our new research on the economic barriers facing survivors of domestic violence, and see how we’re celebrating Black History Month! Plus, take action for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, get a sneak peak of our new billboard and read about us in the news, and find out how WE is practicing self-love this month.

January 25, 2022

Act. Disrupt. Strategize.

Read a letter from our President and CEO Cherita Ellens reflecting on the start of a new year, get a glimpse of our year-end campaign success―thanks to YOU, take action for paid leave, register for our upcoming webinar where we’ll release new research, and tell us what YOU think of WE-Zine by taking our subscriber survey!

December 22, 2021

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday

Happy holidays from Women Employed! In this issue, we take a moment to thank you for your support of WE, and your ongoing commitment to making the world a better place for working women. Plus, hear from one of our former summer interns, Reyna Moreno; read a tribute to bell hooks from President and CEO Cherita Ellens, see a recap of a recent Chicago Foundation for Women event that featured Cherita, and more!

November 23, 2021

Thankful for you

During this time of gratitude, we are so thankful for supporters like YOU who make our work possible. And we acknowledge that the history of Thanksgiving is also a painful reminder of the brutality against Indigenous peoples and the inequities that are deeply rooted in American history. We will continue to work, alongside you, to dismantle that legacy of inequity to ensure women can emerge from the “shecession” stronger and more economically empowered than before.

October 21, 2021

Time-Sensitive Updates and Actions

Learn about our Domestic Violence and Economic Empowerment (DVEE) project and how it seeks to ensure Chicagoland survivors are connected with services attaching them to meaningful employment, join us for a Latina Equal Pay Day event with the Equal Pay Day Chicago coalition, meet our new Board members, and take action to support paid leave, child care, and the PUMP Act.

September 28, 2021

Nothing About Us, Without Us!

In this issue, our President & CEO Cherita Ellens reflects on the Texas abortion ban, threats to our reproductive rights, and the importance of voting. We also highlight the need for pay equity, featuring a guest piece written by Advocacy Council member Lauren Miller for Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, as well as an upcoming Latina Equal Pay Day event, and a recap of a recent conversation we had on International Equal Pay Day. We also provide an update on our newly-launched ASPIRE Project, which aims to improve developmental education in Illinois.

August 27, 2021

Shining a Spotlight on Black Women’s Equal Pay

This month we marked Black Women’s Equal Day, and Women Employed seized the opportunity to shine a light on the greater disparities faced by Black women and many other women of color due to the ongoing impacts of racial and gender bias. Plus, learn about our fall wellness break, our survey for survivors of domestic violence, and current job openings at WE.

July 22, 2021

New Opportunities for Transformative Change

In this issue, our President and CEO, Cherita Ellens, reflects on the changes in our society as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and shares updates and goals related to our new fiscal year and strategic plan. We also announce an upcoming WE-hosted event featuring White House Correspondent, Political Analyst, and author, April Ryan, taking place on August 3rd, Black Women’s Equal Pay day—the approximate day a Black woman must work into the new year to make what white non-Hispanic man made at the end of the previous year. And so much more!

June 17, 2021

Beyond Rainbows and Flags: Celebrating Pride Month with Concrete Actions

Pride month is an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQIA+ people and the community’s history and culture, but the LGBTQIA+ community needs more than rainbow logos and flags. In this issue, we discuss the importance of having an expansive definition of “families” in policies such as the Chicago and Cook County sick time ordinance, welcome our 2021 cohort of The Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership program, and more!

May 15, 2021

Embracing the Power of Transformation

It’s finally Spring, and do we need it more than ever. In this issue, we embrace the power that comes with transformation as we embark a new season of change as well as celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. We also share details about our upcoming fundraising event, The Working Lunchour recent legislative victories, and more!

April 21, 2021

Black and Brown Youth Deserve Better

“Like you, the continuous and all-too-frequent events where young Black and Brown people lose their lives at the hands of a system sworn to serve and protect has our hearts filled with anger and sadness. As an organization focused on pursuing equity in the workforce and expanding access to educational opportunities, we’re left to ask: What good is an equitable workplace when Black and Brown people continue to be robbed of the right to grow old, and to fully explore their passions and realize their potential?”

In this issue, we mourn the death of Ma’Khia Bryant, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, and all of the lives taken at the hands of law enforcement. The issue also contains announcements around our annual fundraising event, The Working Lunch, our Digitized Career Foundations, and more!

March 22, 2021

Know the Past to Change the Future

“Our hearts hurt in solidarity with Asian Americans. Women Employed commits to stand with the Asian American community in dismantling white supremacy and xenophobia.” Read more from the team at Women Employed in this month’s issue of WE-Zine, along with a list of resources you can use to speak out against racism and xenophobia against Asian Americans. Plus, we share some exciting announcements about The Working Lunch – Virtual  taking place on May 25th, raise awareness about the lack of equal pay in preparation for Equal Pay Day on March 24th, share an our interview with Boozy Bites Founder, Dee Dee Bryant,  and more!

Together, we will ensure more women, families, and communities can build their economic power and thrive.

All new or increased gifts will be matched by an anonymous donor!