Where in the World is Women Employed?
Things were heating up this month. And we’re not just talking about the weather. June brought with it sun, presentations, protests, awards, and more! From ending both May AND June with LILLY screenings — one hosted by Lincoln Road and the Women’s Leadership Center, and the other hosted by the Equal Pay Chicago Coalition and co-hosted by WE — to taking it to the streets to rally against authoritarianism, we put our activism and advocacy to work!
Want to learn more about what we were up to? Check out this month’s installment of Where in the World is Women Employed. And be sure to subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media so you can find out where we’re going next, and how you can get involved!
LILLY Film Screening, Hosted by Lincoln Road and the Women’s Leadership Center
Closing out the month of May, WE’s Executive Vice President of Policy, Programs, and Research participated in a panel discussion following a film screening of LILLY. The event took place on Thursday, May 15th and was hosted by Lincoln Road and the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay. Sharmili joined Tina Tchen from the Obama Foundation, and Rachel Feldman, the film’s director, to reflect on the film, Lilly Ledbetter’s legacy, and what we can do to close the gender wage gap. The Gene Siskel Film Center was packed with attendees, including WE’s Director of Development, Anne Puotinen. To learn more, visit: https://lincoln-road.com/events/2025/05/lilly-movie-comes-to-chicago/
Chicago Healthcare Workforce Collaborative June Quarterly Meeting
On Tuesday, June 3rd, WE’s Christina Warden, Vice President of Policy and Programs, and Efrata Sasahulih, Programs and Research Coordinator, attended the Chicago Healthcare Workforce Collaborative (CHWC) June Quarterly Meeting to present key findings from our healthcare career pathways research project. The presentation was titled: “Navigating the Maze: Advancement in Healthcare Careers.”
CHA Site Visit
WE’s Senior Career Pathways Manager, Tara Driver, and Programs and Research Coordinator, Efrata Sasahulih, attended a site visit with our partners at CHA Level Up!, on Wednesday, June 4th. There, they observed how the Career Foundations program was offered, proving to be a very inspirational experience for all!
Chicago Jobs Council Annual Meeting
On Thursday, June 12th, WE’s Vice President of Policy and Programs, Christina Warden, and Programs and Research Coordinator, Efrata Sasahulih, attended the Chicago Jobs Council’s Annual Meeting. The meeting’s theme was “Stronger Together: United in Purpose, Empowered by Action,” and included a panel discussion led by Dr. Lisa Bly Jones that featured Julio Rodriques, Deputy Director at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IL DCEO); Ryan Croke, Assistant Deputy Governor; and Ayom Siengo, Senior Director at The Chicago Community Trust. For more information on the meeting and panelists, visit: https://www.cjc.net/44th-annual-meeting-celebration
ARISE Chicago Faith-Labor-Action Breakfast
Arise Chicago held their Faith-Labor-Action Breakfast on Thursday, June 12th. WE’s President and CEO, Cherita Ellens; Chief of Staff, Mary Kay Devine; Director of Marketing and Communications, Judy Miyashita; and Director of Development, Anne Puotinen, were in attendance for the annual event where they honored the SureBuilt Workers with the Transformational Power Award, Rev. Dr. Beth Brown with the Prophetic Leadership Award, and In These Times with the Visionary Leadership Award.
The event also announced the retirement of longtime leader, Rev. CJ Hawking. After 18 years of tireless leadership, she will step down from her role as Executive Director in September, with Laura Garza, Worker Center Director, stepping into the role.
Mayor Brandon Johnson evoked the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle. . .” And keynote speaker, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, reminded us that, “it’s not just about Fighting Back. It’s also about Fighting Forward!”
No Kings Rally and March
On Saturday, June 14th, over 70,000 people marched and rallied in downtown Chicago for No Kings Day. Led by the organization Indivisible, No Kings Day saw Americans from across the country take it to the streets to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like. WE’s Chief of Staff, Mary Kay Devine; Director of Marketing and Communications, Judy Miyashita; Senior Research Analyst, Corinne Kodama; and Marketing Coordinator, Cher Alfaro, joined partners across the city to stand up for our rights, and to say no thrones, no crowns, and no kings.
Last Career Foundations Consortium Meeting of FY25
WE’s Senior Career Pathways Manager, Tara Driver, and Programs and Research Coordinator, Efrata Sasahulih, held their last Career Foundations Consortium Meeting of FY25 on Wednesday, June 18th. Held at our partner Chicago Commons’ office, the meeting covered highlights and challenges from the past fiscal year, plans for FY26, and awarded three of our partners as “Rookie Organization”, “Pioneer Organization”, and “Instructor of the Year.” Awardees included CHA Level Up, Life Span, and Smriti Shukla.
Equal Pay: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Empowering the Future
On Tuesday, June 24th, the Equal Pay Chicago Coalition, along with WE hosted “Equal Pay: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Empowering the Future.” The event brought together the past, present, and future of the fight for pay equity, and featured a screening of LILLY — a powerful film highlighting the life and legacy of Lilly Ledbetter, whose courage and determination sparked a movement for equal pay. Recent milestones in Illinois were also celebrated, including the passage of our salary transparency law, and the recipients of the inaugural Barb Yong Scholarship Contest were recognized.
Still to come!
FutureReady States initiative, Thursday, July 10th
- Registration link: http://bit.ly/43Z0MVh
College Changes Everything, Thursday, July 17th
- Registration link: http://bit.ly/4lpGZ7j
- Agenda link: http://bit.ly/44xBzkT
