Sister Allied Organizations Feature Archive
Every week, WCF features a different Sister Allied Organization, showcasing the important work of like-minded women’s groups. You can request to be featured here. Below are the organizations we've featured so far:
America Votes is the centerpiece of a permanent progressive campaign infrastructure nationally and in the states, benefiting hundreds of progressive organizations in both election and non-election years. Their infrastructure is a tremendous asset as they focus on 2010 elections that will determine the next decade's political landscape, espeically gubernatorial and legislative races which will be key to redistricting.
Purpose:
- Coordinate independent electoral activity
- Share innovative strategies and resources
- Maximize electoral impact
- Build lasting capacity
This week, we are spotlighting the Women and Politics Institute at American University, one of our Sister Allied Organizations. The mission of WPI is to provide academic training to young women that encourages them to become involved in the political process and to facilitate research by faculty and students that enhances our understanding of the challenges women face in the political arena.
Programs, events, and developments:
- Women Bringing Women into the Power Center,
a bipartisan leadership training program run by WPI, it the only
training in the country that specifically works to increase the number
of women working in political professions
- WPI welcomes new director, Dr. Jennifer L. Lawless
- 2010 Women and Political Leadership Research Conference focuses on research that examines the relationship between gender and leadership in traditional political institutions
View WCF's Sister Allied Organizations we've featured in the past here and view a complete list of WCF's Sister Allied Organizations here (also available by state).
Coalition of Labor Union Women
This week, we are spotlighting the Coalition of Labor Union Women, one of our Sister Allied Organizations. CLUW is America's only national organization for union women. Their members are on the frontline, empowering working women. Both nationally and through their local chapters, CLUW has been busy lobbying the government, educating the public and rallying their sisters and brothers in the workforce over such issues as equal pay, Social Security protection and the Employee Free Choice Act.
The Coalition of Labor Union Women is currently focusing on a number of progams and events including:
- The 15th Biennial Convention of CLUW in L.A. The Rising Tide of Change: Activism, Leadership-Union Women!
- CLUW is committed to using legislative action to create public policy favorable to working women and their families
- Women in the Global Economy: CLUW decries explotation of women workers by U.S. multinational corporations
The mission of the Feminist Majority is to empower feminists, who are the majority, and to win equality for women at the decision-making tables of the state, nation, and the world. The purpose of Feminist Majority is to promote equality for women and men, non-violence, reproductive health, peace, social justice and economic development and to enhance feminist participation in public policy.
Feminist Majority Foundation is currently focusing on a number of issues and events including:
- The Women, Money, and Power Summit to bring together leaders to discuss strategies for women to gain equality here and worldwide
- Feminist Majority champions health care reform and explains what women stand to gain
The National Women's Law Center works to protect and advance the progress of women and girls in work, school and other ventures of their lives. Founded in 1972, NWLC advocates to get laws on the books and make sure they are enforced in a pro-women, pro-choice manner.
NWLC is currently focusing on a number of issues:
- Judge Sonia Sotomayor's impact on women, as well as a careful review of her previous decisions and postions.
- Information on how healthcare reform affects women, advocating for comprehensive, affordable legislation that meets the needs of women and their families.
- The road to economic recovery is riddled with challenges, but it especially challenging for women. NWLC's site details how the stimulus bill will help women get trained, obtain jobs and move forward.
Running Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring young women and girls to run for political office. Their goal is to encourage young women to enter public service by planting the seed early that women are needed in politics. Their training programs emphasize that political leadership is an attainable and exciting goal for young women to pursue.
Running Start Programs Include:
- Annual Young Women's Political Leadership program at American University.
- Star Fellowships, which offer college juniors, seniors and recent graduates monetary and in kind support while they pursue semester-long internships on Capitol Hill.
- Campaign College, which seeks to encourage and train college women to run for student government on their campus
- The Annual Women to Watch Awards honor outstanding young women in politics.
- Path to Politics, a free, nine-month seminar designed by Running Start to give young women the inspiration and the information they need to run for office. This series runs in the DC area through november
Named in honor of Rachel Carson, Rachel's Network continues to build productive alliances among women who care deeply about the environment, health, and women's empowerment. Rachel's Network's goals include:
- Strengthening women's representation on the boards of nonprofits, corporations, and government commissions
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Developing a strategic network that fosters collaboration and amplifies the collective voices of women committed to environmental protection
- Increasing the number and effectiveness of women conservation funders
- Making the environment a top priority on the national agenda
Read what WCF President Sam Bennett had to say about Rachel's Network on our Women & Politics Blog!
Rachel's Network also hosts a number of useful online resources, including a comprehensive list of EcoResources and Annual Reports about women and the environment
Women's eNews provides detailed coverage and in depth analysis of issues affecting and driven by women from around the world. Women's perspectives on world events are featured, enhancing women's ability to define their own lives and to participate fully in every sector of human endeavor.
Here are a few highlights from their site:
- Sotomayor's Play Bill Will Bring Her Home: Editor in Chief Rita Henley Jensen analyzes concern in the Latina and broader feminist community over attacks on Sonia Sotomayor.
- It's the Economy: In this ongoing series, WeNews staff have chronicled the unique ways the economic downturn is impacting women's lives.
- Funding Serious Change for Women's Lives: This year-long essay series features philanthropists who have made large donations to change women's lives.
