Why focus on womxn’s leadership now? 

Increasingly womxn* – and specifically womxn of color – are leading today’s workers’ organizations. In addition to unions, new forms of worker organizations have attracted more communities of color, immigrant and U.S. born workers, to the labor movement. #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, #FamiliesBelongTogether and “essential worker” movements are advancing racial justice, immigrant justice, and ending sexual harassment/assault along with just and equitable working conditions and protections for all workers. During this unprecedented time of pandemics and uncertainty, it is essential that we build and sustain the next generation of womxn leaders in labor for greater and more inclusive gains in the future. 

What is WILL Empower? 

WILL Empower (Women Innovating Labor Leadership) is an initiative designed to identify, nurture, and develop a new generation of womxn leaders who work to improve workers’ wellbeing. It is a joint project of Rutgers University’s Center for Innovation in Working Organization (CIWO) and Georgetown University’s Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor (KI), and the Legacy Project of the Berger-Marks Foundation. 

What is the Emerging Leader Cohort Program? 

The WILL Empower Emerging Leader Cohort Program convenes a dynamic and diverse cohort of approximately 20 womxn. These womxn discuss and shape their leadership plans and trajectories. Together, they work to cultivate political voice, enhance organizer sensibilities, and provide peer-coaching and care/resilience accountability for one another. This program connects an intergenerational network of womxn leaders across diverse sectors and organizations of the workers’ movement including unions, worker centers, and research institutes, other forms of worker justice organizations. 

Participants will include staff, worker leaders, and activists with experience ranging from strategic campaigns; policy and legislation; communications; research and education; representation and member service; and of course organizing for worker justice. The cohort meets virtually and (hopefully) in-person for three retreats over a 12-month period.   

Scholarships are available 

*The term “womxn” encompasses cisgender, transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary; those who self-identify as womxn. 

Program Components: 

– Movement Building & Innovative Strategies   – Race/Gender Analysis in Movement Work  – Future of Workers & Labor

– Personal Leadership Planning   – Mentoring Program/Peer-Coaching Groups  – Strategic Networking   – Resilience and Balance

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Currently working in a worker justice organization, including unions, worker centers, or racial and economic justice organizations where workers’ well-being is central to the mission; 
• 35 years and under, must have at least two years working in a worker justice organization; older than 35 years, must have no less than 2 years and no more than 5 years working in a worker justice organization. 
• Demonstrated commitment to improving the conditions of womxn’s working lives; 
• Willing and able to meet the requirements of the program as listed below; 

Program Commitments: 

Retreats: 

• April 28-30, 2022 (virtual)  

• November 10-12, 2022 (virtual) 

• March 8-12, 2023 (in-person) 

Webinars, Peer-Coaching, Mentoring: 

• 3 Webinars (3 hours each) 

• 3 Mentoring Sessions (1.5 hours each) 

• 3 Peer Group Sessions (1.5 hours each) 

Tech Requirements: Internet Access, Zoom, Box, (possibly) WhatsApp. 

To Apply: Complete the application form and be sure to upload a signed leave request form indicating your supervisor’s agreement to support your full participation in the program, if applicable.  

Program Costs: Full tuition costs for the program are $3500 plus travel costs to and from the final retreat. Scholarships and travel stipends are available. 

For additional information or to inquire about program subsidies, please send an email to willempower.labor@gmail.com.