Just the Facts
In 1971, prior to the enactment of Title IX, there were 310,000 women and girls competing in high school and college athletics. Today that number has grown to 3.37 million.
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WE Newsbyte
Recent coverage of WE and our issues:
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PolicyWatch
We were disappointed earlier this month when the Paycheck Fairness Act failed to get the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster and move forward for a vote in the Senate. The bill would help close the pay gap for women by making it easier for women to determine if they are being paid unfairly and by giving them more tools to fight wage discrimination. Although the bill did not advance this time, we will keep fighting for its passage and for equal pay for equal work. Sign our petition today! |
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 June 23rd marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX, which dramatically changed the education landscape for women. When most people think of Title IX, they think of high school and college athletics, but it's much broader than that. It opened doors for girls in math and science, protects students from sexual harassment, requires fair treatment for pregnant students -- and more. The law establishes a fundamental right: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity."
These straighforward words have made it possible for millions of women and girls to pursue education in every field and at every level. And as we know, education is one of the keys to financial stability.
At Women Employed, we are committed to ensuring that all women have access to the education they need to achieve their aspirations. Together, we can continue to fulfill the promise of Title IX by ensuring that more women can enter and succeed in higher education. Take action today to make college more affordable in Illinois. It's up to us!  |
She Says...
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 Peggy Heinrich is the Dean of Adult Education at Elgin Community College and a member of WE's Pathways to Careers Network, a new initiative to increase college and career success for adult learners with low basic skills.
How is the Network advancing adult education?
The Network is a hub for adult education providers to share resources and ideas. It is also an advocacy arm for the adult education field, highlighting the importance of bridge programming and the need for additional resources and training. Why is it important to focus on adult students?
Many employers are seeking qualified workers, and many adults are underprepared or lacking the specific skills required. Too few adults with low basic skills ever enroll in postsecondary education, and even fewer ever go on to complete a certificate or degree. Preparing adult students for careers where there is true labor market demand is a win-win for employers, students, and the community. Why are you so committed to this work?
Our programs have proven that adult students are capable and motivated to pursue credit-level coursework. We need to get creative about how to accelerate getting adults trained and working today. Working together on these programs will make that possible.
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WE Shares Policy Expertise
 Earlier this month, Women Employed led a day-long national policy academy for The Working Poor Families Project. "The National Landscape of Financial Aid Policies: a Road Map for Adults," was attended by organizations from 22 states and the District of Columbia, and focused on issues surrounding financial aid policy for adult students.
Women Employed experts led several sessions, including one featuring former Illinois Rep. David Miller on engaging state leaders and making them champions for financial aid policy, as well as one on how Women Employed has mobilized students to become advocacy champions through our Student Advocates for Success (SAS) program.
We were honored to share our expertise with so many fellow advocates and are looking forward to seeing the impact this academy will have in states across the country.
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