Women’s Empowerment Committee: Forging a Better Future for All
Whether during Women’s History Month or any other month, it’s important to honor the women writing history every day through their work to empower one another and help create a more equitable world. And that encapsulates the work of the SEIU Local 1000 Women’s Empowerment Committee (WEC) in a nutshell.
In its mission statement, the WEC aspires to “…be the change we want to see in our world.” And as the pandemic approaches the end of its first year, the WEC is stepping up and stepping forward in response to that change. Like it has for many of us, that has meant using virtual tools to stay connected and extend their reach as they work to educate fellow members on the issues that affect women.
In the next few weeks, the WEC will host another in a series of quarterly group calls discussing those issues. In the next call, Local 1000 member leader Theresa Taylor—also a member of the CalPERS Board—will talk about the importance of investing in women. That means addressing issues such as how are our pension dollars are invested and how can we ensure that those investments reflect our interests.
Later in the spring, Dr. Laurie Baudino, child psychologist, will join a call to talk about the impacts to families as our children return to schools. Our kids will be returning to a different world, and the WEC will discuss how parents can help them understand and deal with the changes.
And in the fall, the WEC will once again host Lunafest, a film festival celebrating films made by and about women. In 2020, the screenings were held virtually, which enabled more of our members to participate. 2021 is our fourth year hosting the event. (The WEC won’t take credit, but they’re also proud of the unprecedented number of Oscar nominations recently awarded to women filmmakers.)
The WEC is just one of ten different Human Rights Committees sponsored by Local 1000. Our mission statement encourages us to build a California for ALL, and all of our committees are focused on building better opportunities for our members in the workplace, at home, and in the communities where we live.
We congratulate the WEC and thank its members—Tracie Kimbrough (chair), Theresa Taylor, Misty Del Rosario, and staff support Sonia Roldan—for their great work.
Want more information about the WEC? They’re on Facebook and at seiu1000.org/womens-committee. Plus, for a limited time, they’re offering their T-shirts commemorating the 19th Amendment for just the cost of postage. Be sure to get yours and show your support for this great group and the great women in your life!