Where in the World is Women Employed?

Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of Where in the World is Women Employed of 2026! WE’s monthly recap of where we’ve been, what we’ve been up to, and where we’re going next.

Now, although January’s temperatures may have felt like they were giving Alaska a run for its money, one thing it didn’t do was interfere with the good work that we are doing advocating for and educating our supporters. Before entering the new year, we closed out 2025 with our Career Foundations partners — even welcoming two new partners to the Career Foundations Consortium family! We kicked off January hearing a keynote address from former Vice President, Kamala Harris at an annual breakfast honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., held a press conference denouncing a decision made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and presented our findings from our year-long research on health care career pathways. And this is just the beginning. Because there is always more work to be done.

We invite you to read on to learn more about our work and where we’ve been and be sure to read all the way to the end for details on how and where you can join us next month.

Career Foundations Bi-Monthly Consortium Meeting

WE’s Efrata Sasahulih, Program Manager and Tara Driver, Senior Career Pathways Manager, had the opportunity to host the first of two in-person Consortium partner meetings, on Wednesday, December 17th. There, they met new staff members, listened to how they are coping with the current climate, as well we the innovative ways they are filling the “gaps in service” to address the needs of their participants.

Partners also shared positive program/organizational achievements and Career Foundations testimonies. And, WE introduced our new Consortium partners, **KLEO and [BOSS Sistah Network](https://www.bosssistahnetwork.org/)** to the Career Foundations Consortium Family! During the meeting, attendees were able to network, build relationships, eat good food, and enjoy one another before the holiday break!

40th Annual Marin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Breakfast

The 40th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Breakfast took place on Friday, January 16th. This year’s theme was “Defending Our Democracy, Protecting Our Rights” and brought together community leaders and organizations. WE’s Associate Director of Coalitions, Starr De Los Santos and Senior Research Analyst, Corinne Kodama were in attendance and heard remarks from Chicago Mayor, Brandon Johnson and a keynote address from former Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Women Employed EEOC Press Conference

On Wednesday January 21st, Women Employed held a press conference denouncing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) vote to rescind its *Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace*. The guidance serves as a foundational resource for preventing and addressing harassment and this rescission process bypasses the public’s right to participate in shaping policies that affect millions of workers.

Attendees heard remarks from advocates for workplace safety and equality, gender-based violence organizations, labor leaders, and survivors of harassment including:

• Nancy Andrade, Chair and Commissioner, Chicago Commission on Human Relations
• Amy Meek, Deputy Director, Illinois Department of Human Rights
• Gail Schnitzer Eisenberg, Loftus and Eisenberg
• Nicole Robinson, President and CEO, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
• Cristina Barillas-McEntee, Director of the Tradeswomen Initiative, Chicago Women in Trades
• Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO, Equality Illinois
• Jennifer King, Director, Cook County Commission on Human Rights
• Darci Flynn, Founder & Principal Consultant, Brave Path Strategies

Westside United Workforce Development Planning Committee

WE’s Senior Research Analyst, Corinne Kodama and Program Manager, Efrata Sasahulih presented on our research report ***Navigating the Maze* **to Westside United’s Workforce Development Planning Committee on Thursday, January 22nd.

Still to Come!

Marketing Council Meeting

• Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
• Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Virtual
• Register: Email Racquel C. Fullman, Communications Coordinator at **rfullman@womenemployed.org**.