Where in the World is Women Employed?
April brought with it not just rain showers, but a flood of summits, conferences, rallies, and events. After closing out March with a visit to our nation’s capital for the Equal Pay Today Summit, WE staff traveled to Dallas, Texas to discuss adult education program needs, hosted representatives of key Illinois organizations who share our commitment to students’ success, represented WE at Hands Off! rallies throughout Illinois and Indiana, and so much more. We even found time to travel back to D.C. to take a stand against taking away services working people depend on. And we do all this for you, our dedicated and steadfast supporters — and for all working women — to ensure that your hard-fought rights are protected, that you are paid fairly, that you have access to quality higher education opportunities, that you have the information you need to improve financial literacy, and more.
Take a walk with us as we look back over this past month, and learn how you can join us in Centering Women’s Voices next month at our signature fundraising event, The Working Lunch!
Equal Pay Today Summit
WE’s President and CEO, Cherita Ellens, and Senior Research Analyst, Corinne Kodama joined over 60 nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C. for the Equal Pay Today Summit. The two-day gathering, taking place March 25–26, included meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, roundtable discussions on how to advance economic security for working families, and a reception with lawmakers, partner organizations, and community members, where Cherita shared remarks and presented awards.
2025 COABE Conference
The 2025 Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) national conference was held on March 30-April 2 in Dallas, TX. WE’s Senior Career Pathways Manager, Tara Driver, was one of over 3,000 attendees who gained access to the best new practices in adult basic education, enjoyed networking opportunities, and received training from national level speakers in over 400 breakout sessions.
National Skills Coalition Holistic Student Supports Convening
Women Employed hosted the National Skills Coalition (NSC) Holistic Student Supports convening on Wednesday, April 2nd. Illinois is 1 of 4 states chosen to work with NSC on this initiative after a Policy Action Lab hosted in Chicago in August 2024.
The In-State Strategy Session with representatives of key Illinois organizations (both inside and outside of state agencies) who share our commitment to students’ success in pursuing non-degree credentials gathered to: 1) introduce this initiative; 2) present key findings from the landscape analysis; 3) solicit feedback, questions, and ideas; and 4) explore opportunities for participants to work together to advance policies and investments that grow support for students seeking non-degree credentials.
NSC is now planning to convene a National Peer-Learning Session in DC. It will include Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Rhode Island to share what we’re learning about gaps and opportunities and exchange information about policy and systems change strategies we’re exploring.
Hands Off Rallies
On Saturday, April 5th, people from across the country took to the streets for Hands Off!, a nationwide mass mobilization to protest against the current administration and its assault on our rights, services, and democracy. WE staff members attended various rallies across Illinois and Indiana with their families and friends.
Cook County Board Guaranteed Income press conference
The Cook County Board held a press conference on guaranteed income on Tuesday, April 8th. WE’s Director of Policy and Programs, Christina Warden was in attendance as Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, announced the formation of an advisory committee to advise on the County’s path forward for Guaranteed Income/Direct Cash Assistance, which showed great promise during the pandemic. Among others, she thanked Economic Security Project Illinois for their support, a coalition that WE actively participates in.
Malcolm X Campus Tour
On Wednesday, April 9th, Women Employed’s Career Pathway’s team hosted a campus tour of Malcolm X College with students from one of our Career Foundations Consortium partners, Erie Neighborhood House.
Gina Garcia Transforming HSIs
WE’s Director of Policy and Programs, Christina Warden, attended a Roosevelt University event featuring a Keynote Address by Gina Garcia, the leading scholar, activist, author, and speaker on Hispanic Serving Institutions on Thursday, April 10th. To learn more about Gina Garcia, visit https://www.ginaanngarcia.com/media.
Fair Share America Tax Rally in DC
The Fair Share America Tax Rally took place on Friday, April 10th in Washington, DC. Tax fairness advocates and constituents from across the country, including WE’s Associate Director of Coalitions, Starr De Los Santos, gathered at the U.S. Capitol to stand against taking away services working people depend on — from health care like Medicaid; to public education; food assistance; care for children, seniors, and the disabled; housing; and more — in order to pay for more tax breaks for the wealthy.
To watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/YWgaq87lukQ?si=6EW2vILWaPd41r8l
ComEd CONSTRUCT Graduation
On Tuesday, April 15th, WE’s Senior Career Pathways Manager, Tara Driver, attended the ComEd CONSTRUCT Program Graduation to witness participants from our partner organization, Central States SER, graduate. The ceremony included guest speakers Congressman Danny Davis and Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education who is now the co-founder and Managing Partner of Chicago CRED (Create Real Economic Destiny).
DERA conference 4/17/2025
WE’s President and CEO, Cherita Ellens, was a featured speaker at the Illinois Community College Board’s Developmental Education Reform Act (DERA) Conference. There, attendees learned about the work to reform developmental education programs at community colleges like Black Hawk College, Illinois Central College, Rend Lake College, Shawnee Community College, and Waubonsee Community College, among others.
Sabin Dual Language Magnet School’s Pathways to Success: Career Day 2025
Sabin Dual Language Magnet School held their Pathways to Success: Career Day 2025 on Thursday, April 17th. WE’s Senior Career Pathways Manager, Tara Driver, joined professionals across all fields to share their career paths to help students see what’s possible for their future.
Midwest Pride Conference
WE’s Associate Director of Coalitions, Starr De Los Santos, presented at the Midwest Pride Conference on Saturday, April 19th. The event convened LGBTQ+ organizations, leaders, and advocates from across the Midwest for three days of collaboration, learning, and connection. Starr presented on Advocacy and Coalition Building in Illinois.
Hatch a Plan: Savings & Budgeting
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub (WE Hub), in collaboration with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), Chase, and Level Up, hosted Hatch a Plan: Savings & Budgeting — a family-focused financial literacy workshop designed to build savings habits from an early age on Thursday, April 24th.
Led by returning speaker Jared Evans, families explored ways to role model strong financial behaviors, encourage early saving habits, and set achievable financial goals. Jared’s engaging presentation shared key takeaways like the importance of consistency, discipline, and celebrating even small financial milestones. Workshop highlights included practical savings tips, strategies for families to start “saving 50 percent of what you get,” and real-world examples of side hustles like party planning and child care.
Following the main session, children and families enjoyed a lively Easter Egg Hunt with a financial twist — eggs stuffed with savings challenges, trivia, and prizes. Each child also received a mini piggy bank to kick-start their savings journey at home.
We were thrilled to welcome over 35 attendees (approximately 15–17 adults and 15–18 children). The interactive setting, helped by an open mic setup, encouraged robust audience participation. CHA staff also helped ensure the event ran smoothly by providing meals without interrupting the workshop flow.
We extend our sincere gratitude to CHA, Chase, and Level Up for their partnership — and to all the families who joined us to make this workshop a success.
Roosevelt University’s 80th Anniversary
WE’s Senior Career Pathways Manager, Tara Driver, and Executive Vice President of Policy, Programs, and Research, Sharmili Majmudar, attended An Evening at The Auditorium, part of Roosevelt University’s 80th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, April 24th. Hosted by alumnus and actor, Parvesh Cheena, An Evening at The Auditorium was a musical journey of classics from the 1940s to today, with all proceeds benefitting Rosevelt University students.
May Day Rally
- Thursday, May 1, 2025, 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., from Union Park to Grant Park
- Volunteer with WE: https://bit.ly/3Gyi3LE
- Live outside of Chicago? Find an event near you.
The Working Lunch
- Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago
- To purchase your tables and tickets, visit https://womenemployed.org/the-working-lunch/
