Feel Good Friday - 9to5 National Association for Working Women

It's the Feel Good Friday before Labor Day so we're celebrating an organization that supports women's labor, the 9to5 National Association for Working Women.

As summarized on their Twitter page, 9to5 is “building a movement for economic justice by engaging directly affected women to get their issues on the public agenda.” Founded in 1973 by a group of female office workers in Boston, 9to5 is “one of the largest, most respected national membership organizations of working women in the U.S.”

There are four 9to5 chapters across the country (California, Colorado, Georgia, Wisconsin) and a national network with members in every state. While chapters focus on specific initiatives relevant for working women in their states, programs on the national level fall into one of four areas:

 

Equal opportunity - On average, women earn only 80 cents for every dollar earned by men and those numbers are lower for women of color. 9to5 is fighting for fair pay laws, equal opportunity policies and protection against workplace harassment. 

 

Work family flexibility - 9to5 believes there should be jobs that allow women the flexibility they need to care for their families. That’s why they’re advocating for paid sick days, more accessible family and medical leave, and equitable pay and benefits for part-time workers.

 

Family supporting jobs - Women need jobs that provide living wages so they financially support their families. 9to5 champions affordable childcare, affordable housing and unemployment insurance policies that protect low-wage workers.

 

Power of participation - 9to5 envisions “full and equal women’s participation and representation in the workforce and local, state and national governing bodies.” They work to educate and empower voters and encourage women’s participation in elections. 

 

All of this organizing and participation has paid off. Some of the major national policies 9to5 has worked for and won include: the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Family Medical Leave Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

 

9to5 won’t stop until they achieve their vision of full economic equality for women. Ready to join the fight? Make a donation and spread the word on social media by liking the 9to5 Facebook page and following them on Twitter @9to5org.

 

And since it’s been in your head the whole time you were reading this… here. You’re welcome.