Where in the World is Women Employed?
February may be short, but our calendar was full! From traveling to Washington, D.C. to gather with fellow advocates and changemakers, to presenting student needs, this month was full of learning, connection, and purpose. We are grateful for every moment and person we met on our travels and are excited to share our monthly roundup with you.
Here’s a closer look at this month’s edition of Where in the World is Women Employed.
Together for Democracy conference
Democracy Forward hosted their Together for Democracy 2026 Conference, on Thursday January 29th, bringing together community leaders, advocates, litigators, creators, and journalists to get grounded, energized and recommitted to the work of resilience, resistance, and the reimagination of a multiracial democracy that serves the people. WE’s Executive Vice President of Policy, Programs, and Research, Sharmili Majmudar had the honor of joining powerful conversations with bold leaders and changemakers including civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, Democracy Forward’s Skye Perryman, Jordan Klepper from The Daily Show, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chairs Charlotte Burrows and Jenny Yang.
Arise Chicago’s 35th Anniversary
Congratulations to the Arise Chicago staff, board, and members on their 35th Anniversary! Members of the Women Employed Team (Associate Director of Coalitions, Starr De Los Santos; President & CEO, Cherita Ellens; Chief of Staff, Mary Kay Devine; Vice President of Policy and Programs, Christina Warden; and Director of Advocacy and Policy, Sarah Labadie) were happy to join their kick-off event on Thursday, January 29th to help them celebrate. Here’s to many more years of defending our immigrant neighbors, fighting for worker justice, and proclaiming the good news of liberation for all working people!
National Skills Coalition Skills Summit 2026
The National Skills Coalition held their annual Skills Summit in Washington, DC on February 5–6, 2026. Attendees, including WE’s Vice President of Policy and Programs, Christina Warden, gathered to celebrate and share best practices in workforce programming and policy. They focused on the importance of funding for workforce/career pathways programming and the critical role of student support services, among other things.
Illinois Time to Care Teach-In
On Wednesday, February 12th, the Illinois Time to Care Coalition hosted a Teach-In that took place at Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). This teach-in was an important opportunity to walk workers through efforts to win Paid Family and Medical Leave in Illinois, why this policy is critical for workers and families, and how they can actively support and advance this initiative. It was also a key way to build excitement ahead of lobby efforts and help prepare workers and advocates to confidently speak with their legislators about why the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act matters in their lives and communities.
A special thank you to CWIT for hosting and sharing their space!
Promote the Vote US Senate Candidate Forum
Thanks to everyone who joined the Promote The Vote Alliance’s U.S. Senate Candidate Forum on Saturday, February 21st. The forum focused on critical women’s issues like economic justice, education, healthcare, and voting rights.
Simone Alicea, Executive Director of City Cast Chicago, moderated two rounds of questions with candidates. The first round included Steve Botsford, Sean Brown, Jonathan Dean, Bryan Maxwell, Kevin Ryan, Christopher Swann, and Dr. Pamela Denise Long. With the second round being U.S. Rep Robin Kelly and IL Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. US Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi had confirmed, but did not participate without any follow-up communication.
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Chief of Staff, Mary Kay Devine, was proud to represent Women Employed on the forum’s planning committee with these co-sponsoring alliance partners:
- AAUW Illinois, Inc.
- Chicago Votes
- The Chicago Urban League
- Chicago Women Take Action
- Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI)
- Courts Matter Illinois
- Illinois Democratic Women of Cook County
- Illinois National Organization for Women
- Jewish Council on Urban Affairs — JCUA
- National Council of Jewish Women Chicago North Shore Section
- National Council of Jewish Women South Cook Section
- Rainbow PUSH Coalition
- Reform For Illinois
- SEIU IL State Council
- Working Women’s History Project
- YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
It was an honor to host this event at Rainbow PUSH headquarters, carrying on the legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson who passed away just the week before the forum. If you weren’t able to join us, you can view the recording here on the Rainbow PUSH Coalition YouTube channel.
For more information about the upcoming March 17th primary, visit the Illinois Board of Elections website.
The Illinois Education and Career Success Network’s 13th annual conference — 2/26
The Illinois Education and Career Success Network held their 13th annual conference on Thursday, February 26th. WE’s Vice President of Policy and Programs, Christina Warden presented on “Collaborative Efforts to Increase Holistic Student Supports” alongside Matt Weis, President of National Able Network; Dawn Koeltzow, Senior Director of Illinois Central College; and Deana Schenk, Senior Director for Student Success of the Illinois Community College Board. The Network is designed for a diverse group of stakeholders committed to enhancing equitable postsecondary attainment across Illinois.
For more information on the conference, visit: https://ilsuccessnetwork.org/2026-conference/
Still to Come!
The Working Lunch
- Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Networking Reception: 11:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
- Lunch & Program: 12:00 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan
- VIP Table Registration: https://womenemployed.org/the-working-lunch/
2026 Higher Education Advocacy Day
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Location: Springfield, IL
- Register: https://transformhigheredil.org/events/2026-higher-education-advocacy-day/
