Last Friday, I woke up like many of you with less rights, less protections, and less agency than I had just the day before. With the overturning of Roe and Casey, the Supreme Court’s ruling gave states the authority to ban abortions for ANY reason. Some states are already moving forward with making it a felony, not for both parties involved, just for the person with the responsibility of bearing. Here is why this is so problematic, no matter where you fall with your beliefs, it puts millions of us at economic risk. Many people nationwide will now be forced into pregnancies without access to affordable child and healthcare, paid leave and sick time, livable wages, flexible working schedules, and adequate working conditions.
Friday’s Supreme Court decision will create new barriers to gender and racial equity, and new obstacles to financial security. And it opens the door to the erosion of other rights that we have fought hard to win over the last five decades. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision," Justice Alito wrote. Think about the rulings that have since been made that were not implicit in the Constitution. Well according to Justice Thomas in his concurring opinion, the legal rationale could be applied to overturn other major cases, including those that legalized gay marriage, barred the criminalization of consensual homosexual conduct, and protected the rights of married people to have access to contraception. Thomas said, “For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all" of those precedents. because they are "demonstrably erroneous.’”
This backpedaling on rights for those that have been traditionally marginalized is dangerous territory. And, we must be prepared to fight! Women Employed supports any effort to ensure all people have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare options that enable them to make the best choices for themselves and their families. Allowing them to maintain or achieve economic security.
As women, we cannot be free economically unless we are able to control our own bodies and our own reproductive health. So, rest up, because this fight for dignity, privacy, and agency will be a marathon and not a sprint. We will continue our work to advocate for all women, families, and communities to fully enjoy economic freedom.
In Solidarity,
Cherita Ellens
President and CEO
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June 15th was LGBTQIA Equal Pay Awareness Day
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Did you know that women in same-gender relationships often face a double pay gap? According to the Human Rights Campaign Project, LGBTQ+ workers in the U.S. earn about $900 per week, representing just 90% of what the typical worker earns on every week. Pay disparities are even more pronounced among LGBTQIA women of color and transgender women.
Also, nearly 30% of LGBTQ+ employees have experienced at least one form of employment discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender, including not being promoted or receiving raises.
LGBTQ+ rights are human rights! Equal pay is essential to combat economic insecurity among same-gender families. We need paid sick days, paid leave, and to close the wage gap, among other critical workplace protections, to achieve equity.
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Registration is open for the 2022 College Changes Everything Conference: Moving Forward Together
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The annual conference is the state’s preeminent college access, success, and career readiness event. This year’s online event will showcase best practices, collaborations, and resources available to promote and support student college and career readiness. It will also help Illinois reach its Goal 2025–to increase the proportion of adults in Illinois with high-quality degrees and postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025. WE’s workshops will discuss how best to support Minority Serving Institutions in Illinois, the ASPIRE Project’s impact on developmental education reform, and the new and improved Career Foundations curriculum for Career Pathways. WE will also join Chicago State University to present the Action Plan developed by the Equity Working Group for Black Students Access and Success in IL Higher Education.
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URGENT: Tell the Senate to Pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act!
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Moms-to-be and postpartum workers deserve long-overdue protections they need to stay healthy and working. Pregnancy discrimination disproportionately affects Black and Latina/x women in low-wage positions, many of whom get pushed off the job for needing simple accommodations to stay healthy. At work—and everywhere—pregnant people deserve safety, health, respect, and equal pay. Tell the Senate to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act NOW!
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Complete the Women Workers and Student Survey for a chance to win a gift card! |
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Women Employed is conducting a survey of women workers to learn about their paid sick time, paid leave, child care, and COVID experiences. We also see student, instructor, and administrator stories about their experiences with Career Foundations, bridge classes, workforce development training, and student debt.
Based on survey responses, individuals will be interviewed via phone or Zoom. All interviews will be conducted by Women Employed in June and July. Anyone chosen who participates in a one-on-one interview will be guaranteed a gift card.
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Have you ever been forced to come back to work too soon after welcoming a child? Had to choose between caring for yourself or a sick family member and earning a paycheck? This needs to change, which is why WE advocates for paid leave. To share your story, email jmiyashita@womenemployed.org.
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Illinois Can Lead on Paid Leave |
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"Illinois often leads the Midwest in passing laws protecting workers’ rights and civil rights. From increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour statewide to ensuring pregnant workers can continue working safely through their pregnancy, Illinois has responded to the needs of working people. Ensuring paid leave for all of our state’s workers should be on our list." - Sarah Labadie, Associate Director of Policy, Women Employed
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June 29th: Creating a more equitable recovery: Addressing the economic barriers COVID-19 exacerbated for women in Chicago
Inspired by the advocacy of the Mayor's Women's Advisory Council, a collaborative team across the Mayor's Office, World Business Chicago, Women Employed, and Civic Consulting Alliance is releasing a report detailing the impact of COVID-19 on women, and particularly women of color, in the workforce.
Please join us for a virtual event on Wednesday, June 29th, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Central Time to hear key takeaways from the report. WE's President & CEO, Cherita Ellens, will participate in a panel discussion about the pandemic's impact and how we can all work together to create a more equitable recovery.
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