Real Professional Advice for Real Professional Young Women

By Chelsea Feuchs, JWI Intern

Recently, JWI hosted the first of this year’s Summer Series for Interns and Young Professionals roundtables, titled “Being a Young Professional Woman in D.C.”  Two successful women, Danielle Rodman, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Arielle Linsky, Senior Account Manager at OMP, led the talk.  Both women explained their career paths and provided helpful insight into the daunting and often resented work of internships and first jobs.

Rather than offer a handful of clichés to the audience, as many speakers in similar situations do, the two women provided funny and practical advice for the audience.  So, for all of you ladies that could not attend this meeting let me provide the SparkNotes version here:

• Lower your expectations: Your first job won’t be your last, so it’s okay if you’re not in love with it
• Always be ready to find a job: Have copies of an up-to-date resume ready (to get closer to that dream job)
• Send thank you notes: Your grandma was right, they make all the difference
• Take notes: You may think your mind is a steel trap, but do it anyway to avoid looking disengaged or clueless

Rodman and Linsky also stressed the importance of passion and excitement for work, even if you have to feign it sometimes.  You don’t need to be a cheerleader because, let’s face it, that girl is too much to handle even after a morning coffee, but doing your tasks well and with a smile is a simple way to excel.

Most importantly, you must be specific about what you want.  You may be able to answer verbatim what an interviewer wants to hear, but the right answer is the one that blends this understanding with the truth about your goals and expectations.  This piece of advice takes more than purchasing thank you notes or a legal pad, it means digging deep to find what matters to you and practicing articulating this passion.

Come join JWI for the rest of our Summer Series with “Sexual Assault on College Campuses” on July 11 and “Economic Empowerment and Women” on July 18.  Register to hear more amazing speakers and meet fellow professional young women at www.jwi.org/summer.

Feminist Advocacy and Generation Y

By Chelsea Feuchs, JWI Intern

Recently, I attended a rally in Washington DC to support equal pay for women.  As an intern, I was excited to see democracy in action in this political city.  My original excitement fizzled a bit when I realized the majority of the crowd was comprised of women much older than I am.  The few advocates my age were all fellow interns, sent by their organizations, but nowhere did I see teenagers or college-aged people rallying completely of their own accord.  This made me wonder: what is the state of feminist advocacy among Generation Y?

Equal pay for equal work does not strike a chord with my peers; in fact, it is viewed as a passé feminist issue, a phrase chanted by our foremothers, but not even tweeted by us.  We grew up exceeding the boys in class, playing all the same sports (thank you Title IX), and expecting that previous generations had already fought for all the equality we would need.

Unfortunately, our perception does not match reality.  Women still make 77 cents on average for every dollar a man makes.

But before you or I write off Generation Y as lazy or dispassionate, consider the tremendous amount of power at our fingertips.  We have mastered social networking and can disseminate information at the speed of light.  Our opinions and dollars drive the economy and our vote is coveted.  All we need to do is channel that power.

We must realize that while the tactics of previous feminists may not work for us, the problems they faced still exist in a large part today.  That is why, decades later, we are still fighting for equal pay.  And you, whatever generation you are from, can show that we are not backing down in 2012 by supporting the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act (EEORA).  Ask your congressperson, in person, over the phone, or through email to support this legislation.  Find your voice and make it heard, whatever way you can.

Hidden Costs of Health Care

By Mali Kranz, JWI Intern

As an undergraduate student at University of Maryland, this article about ‘being a slave’ to your health insurance describes one of my worst fears. Luckily, with President Obama’s changes to our healthcare system, I can now remain on my parents’ health insurance until the age of 26; a necessity for a generation of students graduating into an unreliable job market with massive student loan debt.

Remaining on my parents’ insurance policy after graduation gives me options, but not everyone is so lucky. While I remain on my parents’ insurance, I have the luxury of deciding to go grad school, or working as a fruit picker in Australia before looking for a “real” job, but I realize many of my peers don’t have that luxury if their parents can’t afford to keep them on their plans.

When it does come time to get serious, I know I will face many of the same problems as the woman in this article, who while working as a dancer, is missing one major necessity: steady health insurance.

Kimberly Dawn Neumann has to work a certain number of hours per year to qualify for health insurance through her union, but as someone who gets frequently injured on the job, she can’t always meet her quota. As a journalism major, I would be extremely lucky to even find a salaried position in my field after graduation. Most likely, I will be in a similar position of trying to eke out a living doing freelance work and trying to pay for health insurance on my own.

This leads me to the tough realization that I may not be able to work in my field if I want the security of a reliable health insurance plan- and I do. I would have to be prepared to take whatever job I can get that offers me benefits, even if that means rethinking my career path and not using my journalism degree. I hope the Supreme Court recognizes this problem, which is sadly not unique, and upholds the Affordable Care Act in its entirety.

Speaking Out for Fair Employment Opportunities

By Mali Kranz, JWI Intern

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) led a rally this Wednesday, the first anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dukes v. Walmart case. Women’s rights activists expressed their disappointment in the ruling in Walmart’s favor, which said that Walmart’s female employees could not bring a class action lawsuit to fight gender discrimination in promotions and pay. This ruling set a harmful precedent for future discrimination cases. Participants showed their support for the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act, which would reverse the damage done by the Walmart case and allow class action suits of this type.

The rally’s featured speaker, Betty Dukes, spoke out against the Supreme Court decision. “I do not think the ruling was fair. I do not think the ruling was just,” Dukes told the crowd. “Together in solidarity, we are a strong force to be reckoned with… It is time we take a stand for righteousness and justice for women everywhere.”

While Dukes, who traveled from California for the rally, said that she was grateful to all the people who came out in support, however she added that she was “hoping for a larger presence of women. If you have no voice, then your voice is your consent, and I am not consenting to their ruling. I think it was unjust then, and I think it’s unjust a year later.”

The landmark Betty Dukes v. Walmart case was the largest civil rights class action suit in the country when Dukes sued Walmart, her employer, for gender and pay discrimination. Dukes realized that despite her six years as a Walmart employee, she had not been offered the same promotional opportunities as her male colleagues. According to an article in The New Yorker, “at the time, women comprised about seventy-two percent of the sales workforce and just a third of management—and an even lesser percentage of upper management.”

Organizations in attendance included Jewish Women International, National Council of Jewish Women, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women and Families, and Alliance for Justice.

End the Shackling of Pregnant Inmates in the United States

By Chelsea Feuchs, JWI Intern

Prison torture in facilities such as Guantanamo Bay caused a huge controversy on a national level.  Why, then is there no massive public outcry regarding the abuse that pregnant inmates face every day in state prisons?

Expecting mothers are shackled with leg irons, belly chains, and handcuffs during doctor visits, hospital transportation, delivery, and recovery.  These women worry about the negative effects that chaining could have on their babies, with one inmate stating, “It was not only humiliating, but I constantly thought I would lose the baby.” Considering that many female inmates are incarcerated for petty crimes and pose no threat to guards, shackling proves an unnecessary and harmful practice.

Luckily, California Assembly members Atkins, Skinner, and Mitchell have put forward legislation to end shackling during and after delivery in their state’s prisons.  Bill AB 2530 would “prohibit a pregnant inmate, as defined, in labor, in recovery, or after delivery, from being restrained by the use of leg irons, waist chains, or handcuffs behind the body.” The scheduled hearing date for this legislation is June 26, 2012, so if you are a California voter, I urge to contact your representative and show your support for this bill.

Observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

By Miri Cypers, JWI Senior Policy and Advocacy Specialist

Today, June 15^th, we observe the seventh annual World Elder Abuse Awareness day. For the past two years, JWI has worked hard to combat elder abuse by focusing our efforts on improving the elder abuse grant program included in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization bills. We have been proud to partner with Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), our Congressional champions on this issue, to introduce legislation to improve federal programs that combat elder abuse.

At JWI, we recognize that elder abuse in a growing epidemic. With millions up millions of baby boomers aging, dementia on the rise and caregiver shortages looming, the growing crisis of elder abuse has significant implication for the health, well-being and economic security of millions of older Americans.

Through a small but critical grant program first authorized in the VAWA reauthorization of 2000 known as the Abuse in Later Life Program, Congress has been able to provide approximately $4 million in each year in federal funding for elder abuse prevention and response. Over the years, this program has supported efforts in over 80 communities across the country to develop a coordinated, community based response to elder abuse that provides for the training of law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and social service providers.

Over the past two years, JWI has been at the forefront of the reauthorization of VAWA this Congress placing a special emphasis on violence throughout the lifespan and continuing Congressional support for Abuse in Later Life program. We are pleased that this grant program was included in both the House and Senate versions of their VAWA reauthorization bills, (H.R. 4970 and S. 1925) and will continue to push for full funding for this important program as the House and Senate move to reconcile their two bills.

We Take Charge of Our Careers; It’s Time to Take Charge of Our Money

By Ann Rose Greenberg, JWI Marketing Coordinator

In my experience, most young professional women know that they want to be investing their money for the future – but they have no idea where to start. Thinking about it can be overwhelming, even paralyzing, and sometimes they end up doing nothing. Women want to know where they can get their questions answered. More than 30 young professional women found some answers Tuesday night, when they packed into JWI’s conference room to “learn key lessons that financially independent women should know.”

The program started with an introduction from our Executive Director Lori Weinstein on the importance of managing your own money and JWI’s commitment to empowering women and girls. After that, Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Talya Bock began explaining the basics and answering questions. We learned about emergency funds, 401k/403b accounts, IRAs and Roth IRAs, asset allocation and more.

One of the most common questions seemed to be about investing in employer retirement accounts (401k/403b) versus Roth IRAs. Talya gave the following advice:

• If you don’t have an employer match and you have up to $5000 to invest per year, you want a Roth IRA;
• If you don’t have an employer match and you have more than $5000 to invest per year, you want a 401k/403b;
• If you do have an employer match and you have up to $17,000 to invest per year, you want a 401k/403b; and
• Always make sure to put enough money in to get your maximum match.

At the end of the night, I went home excited to look over my finances and reassess the way I’m managing my money. I know that I have a lot more to learn, but I’m glad I was able to go over the basics, and leave armed with the confidence to further explore the “scary” world of finance. Talya kept saying that we all have the capacity to understand finance, and there are lots of tools available to help us. Personally, I can’t wait to start using these resources and watch my savings grow!

Read Jewish Woman magazine’s article “Dollars & Sense” about savvy women who are helping educate and empower women to take control of their money.

Here are some free online resources to help you take control of your finances:

• Mint: Mint brings all your financial accounts together online or on your mobile device, automatically categorizes your transactions, lets you set budgets and helps you achieve your savings goals.
• LearnVest: LearnVest empowers women everywhere to take control of their personal finances so that they can afford their dreams. We’re here to help by giving you the information, tools, and support you need to earn well, save well, and spend well.
• DailyWorth: DailyWorth is a community of women who talk money. We deliver practical tips, empowering ideas, and the occasional kick in the pants…daily to your inbox.

Violence Against Women is Never in Style

By Danielle Cantor, JWI Design & Communications Manager

In the latest issue of Bulgarian fashion magazine 12 is a “beauty spread” depicting models with horrific injuries. It’s a feature usually used to sell both a makeup artist’s skills and the season’s hottest new shade of eyeshadow, but the spread – and its message – is plain ugly.

From Jezebel:
“There are models with Black Dahlia-style Glasgow Smiles, models who’ve been strangled, models who’ve had their earrings and facial piercings ripped out, and models who’ve been mutilated with acid. It’s all special-effects makeup, but it’s still sickening. These photos give you an idea the nature of the spread. And it’s hardly the first of its kind.”

Read the rest at Jezebel, and see examples of other “fashion” spreads that have glorified violence against women.

Paycheck Fairness Act Fails to Move Forward in U.S. Senate

By Miri Cypers, JWI Senior Policy and Advocacy Specialist

After thousands of phone calls and letters to the Senate about the Paycheck Fairness Act, one thing is very clear: the vast majority of Americans support equal pay for equal work. Despite the groundswell of grassroots support around this legislation, today politics took precedence over that sentiment. While 52 Senators voted to move the Paycheck Fairness Act forward, this majority was not enough to overcome a filibuster by 47 Senators.

This roadblock is a big disappointment for all of the hardworking activists at Jewish Women International and across the country, but it’s important that we not consider this the end of the road. The issue of fair pay isn’t going away, and neither can our advocacy.

Your Senators needs to hear from you and opponents of the bill need to know that women can’t afford unequal pay. Common-sense bills like Paycheck Fairness are critical to closing the wage gap. And amazing champions of this bill need to be thanked for their continued leadership. Even though the vote is over for now, we’re not giving up. We couldn’t have gotten this far without you, and we will continue to need your energy and your voice.

As Senator Barbara Mikulski, the bill’s lead sponsor said on the Senate floor right after the vote, “Put on your lipstick! Square your shoulders! Let’s fight this new American revolution where women receive equal pay for equal work.”