Women Employed

10/14/2026

and join us for our 10/27 advocacy council meeting to discuss Women Employed's current initiatives, forecast the work ahead, and participate in a Salary Negotiation Workshop facilitated by WE Expert: Mary Kay Devine, Chief of Staff. Enjoy snacks and refreshments while we gather with fellow advocates and changemakers.

With the season of ghouls and goblins quickly approaching, don't let the fear of asking haunt you—conjure up the salary you deserve! During WE’s Salary Negotiation session, you will:

→ Better understand the race and gender wage gap,
→ Learn the steps of salary negotiations so you can make the money you deserve,
→ Build your confidence to demonstrate your value to decision makers,
→ Access additional resources to support your negotiation skills.

This meeting will be in person at Women Employed's downtown Chicago office.

Please let us know you’re coming! RSVP here: https://ow.ly/KyfN50ZV8Jv

Questions? Email Efrata Sasahulih, Program Manager, @womenemployed.org.

10/13/2026

On August 7, Governor Pritzker signed the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act into law, which, among other things, protects people experiencing menopausal symptoms from discrimination. Join today's webinar hosted by the Illinois Department of Human Rights at 12:00 noon CT to learn more: bit.ly/4hBWie1

10/12/2026

and join The Moth | for a StorySLAM, an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5‑minute story on the night’s theme: - those who go the extra mile. Selfless moms and dutiful dads, family members who care for the young and old 24/7 or strangers and loved ones who step up in a pinch. The acts of service or obligation that are too often invisible to everyone except those on the receiving end. The labor of care that is unpaid but priceless.

Date: 10/20/2026
Time: Doors open at 6 PM, stories start at 7 PM
Where: FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, IL
Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show. Grab tickets today: https://ow.ly/lL3F50ZUFe4

Sponsored by , a national campaign led by gender justice organizations fighting for the 75 million women in America's workforce to have , , and , and joined by their proud campaign partner .

10/11/2026

Today marks the first day of Menopause Awareness Week (MAW) in Illinois, created by Senate Joint Resolution 52 (SJR 52) and championed by sponsors Sen. Adriane Johnson and Rep. Camille Lilly. MAW calls attention to the experiences, obstacles, and opportunities for people during perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Learn more about the week’s events, hosted by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, here: bit.ly/ILMenopause

10/10/2026

NEW RULE ALERT: USPS has changed the way that mail is postmarked. Mail will now be postmarked on the day it is processed, NOT the day it is dropped in the mail.

• That means your mail-in ballot could be invalidated, even if you drop it in the mail before the November 3rd deadline.
• Complete and mail your ballot as soon as possible, several days before the deadline.
• Go into your post office and ask the clerk to postmark your ballot at the counter.

For more information visit: https://womenemployed.org/voter-mobilization-tool

10/09/2026

📢 Join us for our upcoming Pathways to Opportunity webinar, Know Your Rights: Accessing the Power and Protections of Employment Rights for Survivors, presented by Futures Without Violence, Women Employed and Corporation for a Skilled Workforce.

In a 2025 survey by Futures Without Violence and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, up to 60% of survivors reported being fired, denied a promotion, or experiencing workplace harassment or discrimination after disclosing their experiences.

For survivors, balancing safety, healing, and employment can be challenging. Employment rights can help survivors obtain and maintain employment, but many professionals who support survivors may not be aware of these protections.

Join us as we explore the employment rights survivors can leverage to help them obtain and maintain employment.

💡 Know Your Rights: Accessing the Power and Protections of Employment Rights for Survivors
📅 Wednesday October 21, 2026
⏰ 1 PM CT
🔗 Register today at www.tinyurl.com/pathwaysrights

10/08/2026

Latina/x women are paid just 53¢ for every $1 earned by white, non-Hispanic men. We cannot let the proof of the Latina/x wage gap disappear. The U.S. Census Bureau is proposing a rule to remove race and ethnicity questions from the 2030 Census, threatening the data we need to fight for pay equity. We must protect these surveys and ensure every voice is counted. We need your help to stop these changes! Take action with Hands Off Our Census, and submit your public comment before the November 2, 2026 deadline here: https://ow.ly/BVHj50ZVUz9

Take a stand against pay discrimination & occupational segregation!

10/06/2026

We are outraged by the news emerging from both Cornell University and Louisiana State University (LSU), which underscores the persistent culture of sexual violence that continues to disproportionately affect women and impede their ability to achieve personal and economic autonomy.

Sexual violence prevents all women, especially Women of Color, from safely moving through the world, including school and the workplace, and from fairly accessing opportunity. Sexual assault on college campuses is disruptive to the educational paths of the mostly women who are victimized; perpetuates social norms and institutional tolerance to commit sexual assault which mimics and presages what we see with workplace harassment; and is a form of unfairness, inequity, and discrimination in higher education.

WE firmly stands with this statement from our friends at the Survivor Justice Network, anchored by NWLC, Me Too Mvmt, and Justice for Migrant Workers: In Solidarity with Survivors: A Statement on Campus Violence and Institutional Complicity - https://ow.ly/HKQc50ZUH8J

If you or someone you know needs support, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) at 800-656-HOPE

In Solidarity with Survivors: A Statement on Campus Violence and Institutional Complicity The recent revelations surrounding the alleged gang r**e of a female student at […]

10/05/2026

Each year, the Illinois Women in Leadership (IWIL) Training Academy sponsors a policy forum in memory of trailblazer Dawn Clark Netsch focused on a timely policy issue. Dawn served as a State Senator, member of the Illinois Constitutional Convention, and was the 1984 Democratic candidate for Illinois Governor. She was also a founding board member of Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership (IWIL). She was a supporter of human rights, of women's rights, and of civil rights.

This year’s discuss topic was “It’s Still the Economy, Stupid.” The conversation was moderated by Jaemie Neely, Executive Director of the Federation of Women Contractors and IWIL Training Academy Board Member. Panelists for this conversation included Cherita Ellens, the President and CEO of Women Employed; Erion Malasi, the Director of Policy and Advocacy for Economic Security for Illinois; and Liz Shuler, President of AFL-CIO.

Cherita and her fellow panelists discussed many substantive economic topics including, the urgent need to increase the minimum wage and eliminating the sub-minimum wage as key tactics for addressing stagnant wage growth for low-income people; the expansion of Illinois' Child Tax Credit, the ongoing fight for Paid Family and Medical Leave and WE's role with leading the Illinois Time to Care Coalition, and the benefits of union membership - especially for women!

watch the event recording here: https://ow.ly/XsHp50ZUB8L