Where in the World is Women Employed?
As we all know, June represents the official start of summer, better weather, and increased opportunities for fun, sun, and laughter. But the temperatures aren’t the only thing that’s ramping up. Here at Women Employed (WE), there’s been no shortage of invitations to present at conferences, facilitate trainings, attend networking events, and show off our Pride. We even found time to support a fellow staff member at their modeling debut, introduce a brand-new event series, and have an in-person social gathering with one of our volunteer groups. Needless to say, WE has been on the move!
But before we close out June and prepare to welcome July, we thought we’d give you a recap of where we’ve been. From kicking the month off with a convening on postsecondary student needs to wrapping things up with our Marketing Council summer social, enjoy June’s Where in the World is Women Employed.
Postsecondary Student Basic Needs Security in the Great Lakes: Opportunities for Policy Action
WE’s ASPIRE Senior Program Manager, Christina Green attended a convening of states in the Great Lakes region at Malcolm X College on June 3rd and 4th. Christina was joined by representatives from the Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Partnership for College Completion, and Young Invincibles. The two-day gathering focused on improving postsecondary student basic needs, with each state team sharing areas of strength, developing areas, and areas that need improvement regarding basic needs benefits and resources for postsecondary students.
Roosevelt University and WE Lunch Meeting
WE’s Senior Career Pathways Manager, Tara Driver, and Executive Vice President of Policy, Programs, and Research, Sharmili Majmudar, had lunch with colleagues from Roosevelt University on Thursday, June 6th. Roosevelt has been a WE partner for many years and met to discuss ways to expand the partnership.
National Coalition of 100 Black Women 2024 Leadership Conference
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women held their 2024 leadership conference in Chicago from June 6th through June 8th. WE’s President and CEO, Cherita Ellens, led a session on the first day of the conference called “Economic Empowerment: Reimagining Retirement Advocacy.” Over 700 attendees were present as Cherita shared an overview of Women Employed, why retirement advocacy matters, and information on Black women’s retirement planning and preparedness at every age.
Dapper Boi Celebration of Pride Fashion Show
On Friday, June 7th, WE’s Senior Coalition Manager Starr De Los Santos made her modeling debut at the Dapper Boi Celebration of Pride Fashion Show. Presented by the Center on Halsted, the fashion show featured Dapper Boi’s collection of body-inclusive apparel and shared the history of the brand. WE staff members Jessica Swim, Ibie Hart, Tara Driver, and Sharmili Majmudar were in the audience cheering Starr on!
West Side United’s Annual Convening
West Side United held their annual convening on Tuesday, June 11th. The event brought individuals together for a panel discussion to recap 2023 and highlight their community and institutional partnerships to eliminate the life expectancy gap between the West Side and the Loop. WE’s Cherita Ellens was a featured panelist and spoke on our priorities in education, careers and entrepreneurship, and what opportunities the audience should be aware of with state policy efforts.
Chicago Jobs Council’s 43rd Annual Meeting
Staff from the Policy, Programs, and Research team attended the Chicago Jobs Council’s 43rd Annual Meeting on Friday, June 14th. Christina Warden, Director of Policy and Programs; Tara Driver, Senior Career Pathways Manager; Efrata Sasahulih, Policy, Programs, and Research Coordinator; and Sarah Labadie, Director of Advocacy and Policy represented WE for a morning of networking and supporting our long-time partner.
Arise Chicago’s Faith, Labor, and Action Breakfast
It was a joy to attend Arise Chicago’s Faith, Labor, and Action breakfast on Thursday June 20th to support our longtime partners. WE’s Sarah Labadie, Director of Advocacy and Policy; Cherita Ellens, President and CEO; and Mary Kay Devine, Chief of Staff joined Arise for their annual celebration.
SHESolidarity
Women Employed’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub (WE Hub) hosted their first SHESolidarity event in partnership with Mujeres Latinas en Acción on Friday, June 21st. The inaugural event brought Latina/x women entrepreneurs together to assist them with practicing their pitches, to share ideas, and to provide support to one another as they pursue their entrepreneurial journeys. Hosted by WE’s Ibie Hart, Director of Business Development and Shelby Flores, WE Hub Manager, the concept for this event started with conversations at the Women’s Economic Power Agenda Summit (WEPA) that became one of our key recommendations — to build opportunities for community for Women of Color entrepreneurs. Congratulations to Ibie and Shelby for an incredible event!
City Colleges of Chicago’s Adult Education Staff Retreat
On Friday June 21st, WE’s Career Pathways Team was invited to present Career Foundations (Pathways to Careers) at the City Colleges of Chicago’s Adult Education Staff Retreat. Joining Tara Driver were AE District staff, managers, transition specialists, deans, associate deans, and Assistant Vice Chancellor Luis Narvaez.
Paid Leave Panel Discussion with Mayor Brandon Johnson
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a Paid Leave Panel Discussion on Tuesday, June 25th. Panelists included Mayor Brandon Johnson; Chairman Mike Rodriguez; Director of the Office of Labor Standards, Miguel Campos; and a Latino Union worker leader; and was moderated by Sophia Zaman, Executive Director of Raise the Floor Alliance. WE’s Christina Warden was there for the discussion on Chicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance that goes into effect July 1st.
Career Foundations Consortium Meeting
WE’s Tara Driver, Christina Warden, and Efrata Sasahulih attended the Career Foundations Consortium Meeting on Tuesday, June 25th. Several awards were given out, including Jose Mosqueda, who was awarded Career Foundations Instructor of the Year; Erie Neighborhood House, who was awarded Career Foundations Partner Pioneer of the Year; and Gabrielle Caverl-McNeal, who was awarded Career Foundations “Rookie” Partner of the Year. Congratulations to them!
Mayor Johnson’s LGBTQ+ Celebration
On Tuesday, June 25th, Mayor Brandon Johnson held an LGBTQ+ Celebration at the Chicago Cultural Center. WE’s Starr De Los Santos, who is also a part of the Mayor’s Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ was in attendance as guests celebrated Pride month in Chicago.
Marketing Council Summer Social
Women Employed’s Marketing Council gathered on Tuesday, June 25th for their annual Summer Social. The Council met for happy hour at Aire Rooftop Bar in the heart of the Loop, and were joined by WE staff members Judy Miyashita, Director of Marketing and Communications; Cher Alfaro, Marketing Coordinator; and Racquel C. Fullman, Communications Coordinator. It was a joy to connect and network over light bites and cool beverages while taking in breathtaking views of Chicago’s famed skyline
