RESOURCES / FURTHER INFORMATION:
Working women today must cope with the complex daily management of work, home and family responsibilities. To accomplish goals, lead happy and fulfilling lives and to strike an equitable balance between the home and workplace, sometimes help is needed. Women on the Job works with its Task Force member organizations to provide education and advocacy assistance. Occasionally, help from other resources outside the WOJ Task Force Organization network is warranted. Below is a partial listing, broken down by issues, of those organizations that may be helpful. You may visit the website of any one of these organizations by clicking on the name of the organization.
Achieving Pay Equity
League of Women Voters - The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that has fought since 1820 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. The League is a grassroots organization, working at the National, State, and Local levels. Although the League's legislative priorities change to reflect the needs of society and critical issues of concern, the organization remains true to its basic purpose to make democracy work for all citizens.
National Committee on Pay Equity - The National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE), founded in 1979, is a coalition of women's and civil rights organizations; labor unions; religious; professional; legal; and educational associations, commissions on women, state and local pay equity coalitions and individuals working to eliminate sex- and race-based wage discrimination and to achieve pay equity.
National Council of Women's Organizations - The National Council of Women's Organizations is a nonpartisan, nonprofit umbrella organization of groups that collectively represent over ten million women across the U.S. The only national coalition of its kind, NCWO is a tax-exempt organization with twenty years' of experience uniting American women's groups. NCWO members collaborate through substantive policy work and grass roots activism to address issues of concern to women including workplace and economic equity, education and job training, affirmative action, Social Security, child care, reproductive freedom, health, and global progress for women's equality.
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Workplace Rights/Gender Discrimination
AFL-CIO - The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Unions (AFL-CIO) seeks to improve the lives of working families - to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our nation by building and changing the American labor movement. The AFL-CIO is a voluntary federation of 53 national and international labor unions including teachers, truck drivers, musicians, miners, firefighters, farm workers, bakers, bottlers, engineers, editors, pilots, public employees, nurses, doctors, painters, laborers--and more. Since its founding, this organization and its affiliate unions have been the single most effective force in America for enabling working people to build better lives and futures for our families.
Institute for Women's Policy Research - The Institute for Women's Policy Research focuses on issues of poverty and welfare, employment and earnings, work and family issues, health and safety, and women's civic and political participation.
The IWPR works with policymakers, scholars, and public interest groups around the country to design, execute, and disseminate research that illuminates economics and social policy issues affecting women and families, and to build a network of individuals and organizations that conduct and use women-oriented policy research.
Long Island Fund for Women & Girls - The Long Island Fund for Women & Girls shares a common vision with the women's funds throughout the country. Their vision is a world of justice and opportunity for women and girls, where they are paid equitably for work, live in homes and communities without fear of violence, have equal voices in the political process and serve as the primary decision makers about issues that affect them.
National Partnership for Women and Families - The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that uses public education and advocacy to promote fairness in the workplace, quality health care, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family. Founded in 1971 as the Women's Legal Defense Fund, the National Partnership has grown from a small group of volunteers into one of our nation's most powerful and effective advocates for women and families. Working with business, government, unions, nonprofit organizations, and the media, the National Partnership is a voice for fairness, a source of solutions, and a force for change.
The Center for Women Policy Studies - The Center for Women Policy Studies was founded in 1972 as the first feminist policy analysis and research institution in the USA. Their mission is to shape public policy to improve women’s lives and preserve women’s human rights. The organization addresses such topics as equal credit opportunity, educational equity, violence against women and girls, welfare reform, work/family balancing and workplace diversity policies, reproductive rights and health, the women’s HIV/AIDS epidemic, access to health care for low income women, and much more.
The New York Civil Liberties Union - The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. Founded in 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, we are a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with six chapters and nearly 35,000 members across the state. We believe that all New Yorkers have "certain unalienable rights" that cannot be taken away by the government or by majority vote. For more information about the NYCLU or to locate a chapter in your area, visit their website.
Women's Prerogative - Founded by Executive Director, Sharon Levin, the idea for Women’s Prerogative began with a series of conversations that took place during the late 1990’s. Several lawyers and policy experts in Washington, D.C. had made the same discovery: women around the country had not found a regular source for news about the laws and programs that affected them. The Women’s Prerogative website was created to provide information about issues important to women and a place where they could put that information to use. It is a place where women can voice their opinion as well as seek information about jobs and money, networking, and women’s health issues. To find out more about Women’s Prerogative, visit their website.
Working Families e-Activist Network - The Working Families e-Activist Network is a network subscriber service where you can opt to receive occasional action alerts when your voice is needed. With one click you can send a fax or e-mail to a key decision maker in Congress, at the White House or an employer who isn't respecting the rights of workers. E-Activists have made a difference for workers all over America and done some amazing things in the fight for good jobs, overtime pay, health care, Medicare, fair trade policies and hundreds of fights for workplace justice. You're more powerful than you think, especially when you join together with hundreds of thousands of others and make your voice heard. To review a current listing of advocacy campaigns from Working Families e-Activist Network or to take action on one of these campaigns, visit their website.
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Workplace Harassment
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Federal Laws prohibiting job discrimination and provides oversight and coordination of all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies. Federal laws concerning workplace discrimination are enforced by different Federal agencies. Unless the government speaks with one voice on matters of employment nondiscrimination, workers may be confused as to what rights they have and how to protect them and employers may be uncertain of their obligations and how to voluntarily comply with their legal duties. Additionally, the EEOC is required to review regulations and other EEO policy-related documents before they are issued to ensure consistency in the Federal government's effort to combat workplace discrimination.
The EEOC Website provides detailed information about different forms of discrimination that violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (please link to http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html). These include age, disability, equal pay, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, sex and sexual harassment. To find out more about any one of these forms of discrimination or to review the EEOC’s Facts About Sexual Harassment (please link to http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-sex.html). There is also information on How to File a Charge of Employment Discrimination (please link to http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/howtofil.html).
The New York State Division of Human Rights - The New York State Division of Human Rights ensures equal opportunity in employment, housing, public accommodation, education and credit and enforces Human Rights Law by seeking to promote human rights awareness; prevent and eliminate discrimination; investigate and resolve complaints of illegal discrimination fairly; and develop human rights legislation and policy for the state. It serves as an alternative to the court system for resolving discrimination claims. The Commissioner has jurisdiction and power to encourage and promote the development and execution by all persons within the State of such programs; to eliminate and prevent discrimination in employment, in places of public accommodation, resort or amusement, in educational institutions, in commercial space and in credit transactions and to take other actions against discrimination. For more information about the New York State Division of Human Rights, visit their website.
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Nontraditional Employment for Women
HempsteadWorks - The HempsteadWorks Career Center is located at the Hempstead Executive Plaza, 50 Clinton Street, Suite 400, 4th floor, Hempstead, New York. Through their partnerships and programs, HempsteadWorks is able to ensure that skilled workers are available to employers, help jobseekers to find work and foster economic development. For Information about HempsteadWorks, call (516)485-5000 or visit their website.
New York Building and Trades Council - The Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, coordinates activity and provides resources to 13 affiliated trades unions in the construction industry. It has 386 state, local and provincial councils in the United States and Canada. Created in 1908, the BCTD has helped its 11 affiliated building trades unions to make job sites safer, deliver apprenticeship and journey-level training, organize new workers, support legislation that affects working families, and assist in securing improved wages, hours and working conditions through collective bargaining. In addition, the BCTD works to resolve jurisdictional disputes within the construction trades and builds solidarity by encouraging the formation of local building trades councils. To find a council in your area, visit the BCTD website. For more information about the Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties and their Built on Pride Program, refer to Women in Nontraditional Jobs – How to Prepare for a Job in the Trades (please link to http://www.womenonthejob.org/preparing.asp) on this website.
Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) - Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW, is a nonprofit organization that trains women for jobs in the building trades, the utilities and transportation industries, and facilities repair and maintenance. Why blue-collar jobs? Because they pay better, have better benefits, and offer enriching careers. Employment in the construction, transportation, and other male-dominated fields offers greater opportunity for economic independence than jobs traditionally held by women. NEW helps qualified women access high-wage careers that provide economic independence to themselves and their families and serves employers by providing them with trained, job-ready workers. For additional resources about nontraditional employment for women, contact NEW at (212) 627-6252 or visit their website.
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Women on Corporate Boards
Catalyst - Catalyst (please link to www.catalystwomen.org)
Catalyst is the leading research and advisory organization working with businesses and the professions to build inclusive environments and expand opportunities for women at work. As an independent, nonprofit membership organization, Catalyst conducts research on all aspects of women’s career advancement and provides strategic and web-based consulting services globally. With the support and confidence of member corporations and firms, Catalyst remains connected to business and its changing needs. In addition, Catalyst honors exemplary business initiatives that promote women’s leadership with the annual Catalyst Award. With offices in New York, San Jose, and Toronto, Catalyst is consistently ranked No. 1 among U.S. nonprofits focused on women’s issues by The American Institute of Philanthropy. For more information about Catalyst, visit their website.
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Networking Opportunities
Long Island Center for Business & Professional Women - Long Island Center for Business & Professional Women (please link to www.licenter.org)
The Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women was founded in 1977 and is dedicated to expediting the advancement of women to equal participation in business, industry and the professions. They are the oldest and largest not-for-profit Island-wide networking organization for executive level, professional and entrepreneurial women. The Center provides a networking forum for members to experience Business Growth; Professional Development; Personal Enrichment; Community Involvement through Monthly Networking Dinner Meetings, Annual Achievers' Awards Dinner, Scholarship Fund-raisers, The Network Newsletter and Other Special Events. For more information about the Long Center for Business & Professional Women or how to become a member, visit their website.
National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) - The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), one of the largest women's professional association and the largest women business owners' organization in the country, provides resources and services - through education, networking, and public advocacy - to empower its members to achieve career success and financial security. For more information about NAFE or how to become a member, please visit their website.
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