Archive for the ‘Sustainability’ Category

Get Out the Local Vote!

Posted by joyinhome on October 14, 2009

voting_is_sexy_poster In three weeks, there will be elections across the country for mayors, governors, city council and school board members… Are you planning to cast your vote? Voting is key at all levels, especially that which immediately impacts our daily lives and those of families.

There are approximately 403 mayoral races, technically three gubernatorial races and countless other local races that have direct impact on our communities especially education, employment and infrastructure.

Records were broken in terms of voter engagement in this past presidential election. Are we as engaged for the less visible races? The President can surely have an impact but we all know it is a process and the federal one, however far-reaching, is painfully slow.

Women, you know how important it is that we speak loudly and often with our ballot. So go vote. If you are unaware of the issues in your community, log on to your state/locality’s web site and get caught up. Talk to your colleagues, networks and families reminding them to vote. Change doesn’t just happen- we must demand it.

Posted in Advocacy, BPW, Economy, Education, Families, Feminism, green, Health, Pay Equity, Politics, Successful Workplaces, Sustainability, Uncategorized | Tagged: economic crisis, equality, family, men, paid sick leave, Pay Equity, Politics, unemployment, voting, women, work-life balance | Leave a Comment »

News to Chew On: Link Love for Lunch

Posted by gansie on October 2, 2009

linklovelunchboxwithtagline Inequality in the federal workforce. Shocking! [Fed Smith]

Dispelling myths about stay-at-home moms. [Herald Tribune]

State by state chart on health care coverage for women. [NCWL]

Movie version of “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell,” raises questions about condoning violence against women (and why there aren’t more movies made by and for women!). [Socialist Worker]

A Woman’s Guide to Green Jobs [DOL]

What makes a good job. Does the economy affect what people want in a job? [Individual]

EPA Administrator says Blacks can benefit from green economy. As Van Jones would confirm, “Greening of the ghetto.” [Spokesman-Recorder]

Firefighter vs. Fireman. Nature or Nurture: Is it possible to raise a gender neutral child? [Salon]

Generation Y will revolutionize the business world by forwardness, pertness and petulance (not narcissism…) [Examiner]

Sioux Falls, SD celebrating National Business Women’s Week. [Argus Leader]

Flu epidemic reignites the need for paid sick leave. [Workforce]

Son of breast cancer survivor celebrates October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month [MilitaryAvenue.com]

American Women’s Veterans touts Dear Jane. [Facebook]

Education Gap may lead to He-pression. Does everything start with “He” these days? [Chicago Tribune]

Women are the key in VA governor’s race. [Washington Post]

New book says “Remarkable women leaders have balance.” [Cincinnati.com]

Is the US a family friendly country? [Redbook via SeatllePI]

Posted in Advocacy, BPW, Career Advancement, Diversity, Economy, Families, Feminism, green, Health, Lifestyle, Link Love, Sustainability | Leave a Comment »

News to Chew On: Link Love for Lunch

Posted by gansie on September 10, 2009

linklovelunchboxwithtagline

“Women start small businesses at twice the rate as men and usually have less capital, so these health insurance costs have a more severe impact on female entrepreneurs,” -BPW Foundation CEO Debbie Frett [Women's eNews]

Pregnancy discrimination on the rise. [Miami Herald]

Legal Mamas. [Working Mother]

Green collar jobs can be the great equalizer for underrepresented populations. [New America Media]

Former self-described “Male Chauvinistic Pig” calls women “most under utilized asset this country has.” [Material Handling Wholesaler]

Google maps green tech jobs across the country. What can’t Google do? [Triple Pundit]

Help for homeless women veterans. [Tampa Tribune]

Obama to make changes in work savings policy easier for both employers and employees. [CNN/Fortune/Money]

Older women consider plastic surgery to gain advantage in workplace. Ugh! [AARP]

Michelle Obama’s fashion now warrants an entire book (although we’ll be waiting for the 8 year encyclopedia edition.) [Mrs.O]

Men win equal pay case – What? [Courthouse News Service]

Can Motor City turn into Emerald City? [The Michigan Messanger]

How abortion fits into the health care debate. [Daily Kos via RH Reality Check]

Lilly Ledbetter still matters. [Opelika-Auburn News]

How to retain and reward older workers. [Harvard Business Review]

Posted in BPW, Career Advancement, Diversity, Economy, Families, Feminism, green, Health, Lifestyle, Link Love, mature workers, Successful Workplaces, Sustainability, Workforce Development/HR | Leave a Comment »

Green, Greener, Greenest

Posted by joyinhome on July 24, 2009

greenwomen Many women are thinking of entering the green employment sector or already have a green-collar job. Either way, make sure you are networking to enhance your career and support your advancement. YWM brings you networking groups for women in green courtesy of The Green Economy Post.

Top 10…11 Networking Groups for Green Women

EcoWomen
ENERGIA
Forum of Women in the Environmental Field
National Society of Women Environmental Professionals
*New England Women in Energy & the Environment
Women in Fuel Cells Network
Women in Renewable Energy and Development (WIRED)
Women of Wind Energy
Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment
Women’s Environmental Council
*Women In Solar Energy (WISE)

More information on women and the green economy.

*Newly-formed group- please use the contact information listed below.

New England Women in Energy & the Environment
Judy Chang, The Brattle Group
617.864.7900

Women In Solar Energy (WISE)
c/o Marlene Brown
Sandia National Labs
P.O. Box 5800, MS 0753
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185

Subscribe to BPW Foundation’s green jobs feed.

Posted in BPW, Career Advancement, Economy, green, Pay Equity, Successful Workplaces, Sustainability | Tagged: Career Advancement, Economy, equality, green, Pay Equity, Successful Workplaces, women | Leave a Comment »

Misbehavin’ Notification: Green Job Training for Women

Posted by YWM on July 22, 2009

Walmart Foundation Awards $400,000 to BPW Foundation for Green Initiatives

Project Connects Women with Green Jobs Training Opportunities

Washington, DC – Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation and the Walmart Foundation announced a partnership today to launch the “Moving from Red to Green: Working Women in the Green Economy” initiative, connecting women to the emerging green economy by providing green job training. With generous support from the Walmart Foundation, BPW Foundation will establish a pilot program and award $60,000 grants to four organizations to expand their capacity to train women for green jobs.

“Women are underrepresented in “green” and “greener” sector jobs and we are focusing our efforts to make sure women are trained, recruited and retained for the sustainable jobs of the future,” said BPW Foundation Chair, Roslyn Ridgeway. “Green jobs often pay more, so supporting women’s entry into this sector will improve women’s wages and improve the lives of families and communities.”

“Wal-Mart is focused on environmental sustainability at every level, said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. “The Walmart Foundation is proud to partner with BPW Foundation and others who share our commitment to protecting the environment for generations.”

BPW Foundation CEO Deborah L. Frett expressed appreciation that the Walmart Foundation understands the importance of including and readying women for the green job market. “The Walmart Foundation is helping to increase the number of women in better-paying careers and non-traditional fields,” said Frett. “We are looking to re-define the workplace with our Successful Workplaces Movement and partnerships with employers assist us with that vision.”

The goals of the initiative are:

To improve the lives and careers of working women;
To provide opportunities for employers by increasing diversity in the workplace and providing them with a larger trained workforce pool; and
To build capacity for training providers.

For more information about the “Moving from Red to Green: Working Women in the Green Economy” initiative and the Successful Workplaces Movement, visit the BPW Foundation website at www.BPWFoundation.org.

Business and Professional Women’s Foundation is creating successful workplaces by focusing on issues that impact women, families and employers. Successful Workplaces are those that embrace and practice diversity, equity and work-life balance.

BPW Foundation supports workforce development programs and workplace policies that recognize the diverse needs of working women, communities and businesses. BPW Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) research and education organization.

About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
# # #

Ed. Note: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the legal trade name of the corporation. The name “Walmart,” expressed as one word and without punctuation, is a trademark of the company and is used analogously to describe the company and its stores. Use the trade name when it is necessary to identify the legal entity, such as when reporting financial results, litigation or corporate governance.

Posted in Career Advancement, Diversity, Economy, Education, Families, green, Misbehavin' Notification, Pay Equity, Research, Successful Workplaces, Sustainability | Tagged: Career Advancement, Diversity, Economy, environment, gender roles, green, Pay Equity, women | 1 Comment »

Because Violence Only Begets More Violence

Posted by jpflaste on June 23, 2009

The unrest and confrontation that was a result of the election in Iran has been at the tip of discussion all across the world. The central force in this opposition is the women’s movement and the struggle for equal rights in a community with history based on the oppression of women. An opinion article that I read this morning in Slate got me thinking about the force that has been going on behind the scenes for years and has come to fruition in the past weeks. It is the grassroots movement for the end of laws that discriminate against women and deny equal rights. The author started and ended by saying, “Regimes that repress the civil and human rights of half their population are inherently unstable.”

The results and handling of the election in Iran provided activists on the ground who have been quietly organizing for years, a platform to come together and oppose the political system as it is in place. They stand behind a candidate who has voiced his intention to overturn discriminatory laws and give women and men equal rights. They communicate that discrimination is not the norm and unite to make a difference.

Twitter, Facebook, and the internet have not instigated the outrage and uprising, but they have been the difference. They facilitated communication and awareness. They have allowed images, firsthand accounts, and information to reach people that otherwise wouldn’t know what was going on. We are no longer able to turn our head and look the other direction.

The image of a woman, 27-year old Neda Salehi is seen on posters throughout Tehran , the graphic video of her death transmitted across the internet. A young woman who was simply standing outside of her car has become the martyr for a generation and the symbol of the struggle of a population. In Iran and many other areas around the world there is not only inequality, but laws putting this inequality in place. Every change that is made, every step that is taken anywhere in the world for equal rights is a step in the right direction. Support causes you believe in; because even if you aren’t on the streets of Tehran, your actions and support can be transmitted around the world in a matter of seconds.

photo credit

Posted in Advocacy, Diversity, Education, Global, Sustainability | Tagged: Diversity, equality, gender roles, human rights campaign, international women, Iran, Politics, power, women's movement | 1 Comment »

Commuter Benefits: Helping Employees, Employer and Environment

Posted by gansie on April 20, 2009

digestlogocover

This is one in a series of articles from BPW Foundation’s Successful Workplace Digest, a collection of the best work-life and progressive workplace practices from corporations, non-profits and government entities.

To honor Earth Day, this Wednesday, April 22, here is a selection highlighting how a company can have a major impact on the health of the planet.

Calvert, a socially responsible mutual funds firm, headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., has set industry standards for asset management excellence— both in selection of companies for portfolios and how the organization serves its clients’ interests.

Calvert is actively committed to transparency and corporate responsibility which parlays into providing employees with a flexible, benefit-rich, family-friendly work environment. It is with this commitment in mind that offers commuter benefits in an effort to minimize the impact of commuting on employees and their families.

Calvert has offered commuter benefits to its employees for more than 20 years. This program demonstrates success from a socially responsible standpoint, encouraging and rewarding employees for using alternative methods of transportation.

Transportation Program Highlights

Bicycle and Walking Shoe Reimbursement

Employees are eligible for either a yearly reimbursement of $120 to cover the cost of shoes or a one-time reimbursement of $500 for the purchase of a bicycle.

Shower facility for the physically active commuter

Hybrid Vehicle Subsidy Program

All employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for a one-time reimbursement of $3,000 for the purchase, or $1,500 for the lease, of a new or used hybrid vehicle.

Win-Win Policy

Nearly 100 percent Participation

Benefits start on day one and with subsidies on parking and public transportation, as well as biking and walking, almost all employees receive transportation benefits. More than 30 percent of Calvert’s employees commute to and from work using a method other than driving.

Workplace Flexibility and Cost Savings

Telecommuting and compressed work weeks give employees the opportunity to spend more time with their families and less time commuting, thus taking their vehicles off of the road during the peak of rush hour. Employees typically save hundreds of dollars on an annual basis by simply participating in Calvert’s commuter benefits program, and Calvert saves money on office usage by telecommuting workers.

Recruiting and Retention

Calvert’s commuter benefits program helps attract new employees to an urban- suburban area, which can come with a costly commuting price.

Among other programs, transportation benefits help Calvert to attract new employees and retain current employees. While many companies work with high turnover rates, Calvert generally keeps more than 90 percent of its workforce each year and has an average employee tenure of more than 8 years.

By: Lauren Lefkowitz, PHR / Human Resources / Calvert
Purchase a copy of the Digest

photo credit / photo credit

Posted in Global, green, Health, Successful Workplaces, Successful Workplaces Digest, Sustainability | Tagged: eco-friendly, health prevention, Successful Workplaces | 2 Comments »

Green Jobs – JINX!

Posted by jpflaste on March 4, 2009

As one of my New Years Resolutions, I didn’t want to use the phrase “green” anymore. I was so tired of hearing about “greening” your workplace and creating “green” jobs and figured that if I stopped saying it that would be one less person and slowly it would catch on. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case and I find myself doing research on “green” jobs.

There goes that resolution out the window.

wind-turbines

While looking for information on green jobs for women, I found that there is very little available. Defining what exactly makes a job green eluded many individuals searching for a new career path and more information. Besides the fact that most people are finally acknowledging that we are in fact damaging the planet with pollution, where was the recent push for green jobs?

I didn’t have to look any further than the economy and the bailout plan. The first of many major stock crashes in the fall hit close to many with the reality and severity of the economic situation. This wasn’t something that was going away soon or quickly; it is going to create an overhaul of the way we live and demand change. With that change came the bailout plan.

This new plan proposes to create around 3 million new jobs, many of them considered “green.” It would be good to know, however, what exactly constitutes a green job.

Is it a job that manufactures something to be used for green energy production or is it a job where the process itself is environmentally sustainable? Does this provide as many jobs for women as men?

As an op-ed that appeared in the New York Times in December pointed out “The bulk of the stimulus program will provide jobs for men, because building projects generate jobs in construction, where women make up only 9 percent of the work force.” Women, currently make up 46% of the workforce, hardly considered a minority. Looking at this plan for infrastructure and manufacturing stimulation, where women are less than 20% of the workforce in these areas, doesn’t seem that it will provide proportional job creation.

“Unlike the proposal to rebuild roads and bridges, the Harlem Children’s Zone program is urban, and thus really green. If cities become more inviting, more people will live in them — and that means they will drive less, using less fuel. The average New Yorker’s greenhouse gas footprint is only about 29 percent as large as that of the average American; the city is one of the greenest places in America.” (Hirshman/NYT)

While many will say that the barriers for women in these male dominated fields are breaking down, a decades long push to bring women into engineering has resulted in only single-digit increases in many of the concentrations. So in order to create more jobs for women in this plan, women must break the barriers and follow the lead of those like Rita Bryer, who is going back to school to become a wind turbine mechanic.

Also included are ambitious plans for job creation around healthcare and education. Positions that are typically held by women: but do these come under the umbrella of green jobs? Some think so.

Maybe there are more positions for women if we expand what actually makes a job green. What do you think, is a job that leads to creating a sustainable and safe city environment where cars are used less a “green” job? What other types of jobs could be altered to fall under this term?

photo credit

Posted in Career Advancement, Economy, Education, Global, green, Sustainability | Tagged: bailout, career development, change, Diversity, green jobs, women, women in untraditional jobs | 1 Comment »

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Archive for the ‘Sustainability’ Category

Get Out the Local Vote!

News to Chew On: Link Love for Lunch

News to Chew On: Link Love for Lunch

Green, Greener, Greenest

Top 10…11 Networking Groups for Green Women

Misbehavin’ Notification: Green Job Training for Women

Because Violence Only Begets More Violence

Commuter Benefits: Helping Employees, Employer and Environment

This is one in a series of articles from BPW Foundation’s Successful Workplace Digest, a collection of the best work-life and progressive workplace practices from corporations, non-profits and government entities.

To honor Earth Day, this Wednesday, April 22, here is a selection highlighting how a company can have a major impact on the health of the planet.

Transportation Program Highlights

Win-Win Policy

Green Jobs – JINX!

Follow “Women Misbehavin'”