In This Issue:

» Beth Babcock to speak at Women, Wages & Work Policy Conference

» Suze Orman commits $50K to CWU

» International conference to showcase CWU

» Lexington Insurance Company signs on to Woman to Woman

» CWU to celebrate its GED Class of 2008

» A Mother's Day to remember at CWU

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CWU teams up for Women, Wages & Work Policy Conference

Babcock tapped for expert panel

Crittenton Women's Union has teamed up with five other high-profile organizations to present a day-long conference examining the gender wage gap, retirement security, child care, and other challenges facing women. The Women, Wages & Work Policy Conference will be held on Monday, June 9th, 2008 at University of Massachusetts Boston.

Sponsored by the Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy, the conference will feature two keynote speakers, former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy, president of the WAGE Project, and Lilly Ledbetter, plaintiff in the Supreme Court gender wage discrimination suit: Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. During lunch, philanthropist Teresa Heinz Kerry will address the issue of women's retirement security.

CWU President and CEO Elisabeth Babcock will join a select panel of experts to discuss the topic, "Making the Workplace Work for You," and CWU Public Policy Coordinator Kelsey McCoy will lead the "Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace" strategy session.

"The goal of the conference is three-fold: to educate women that the wage gap exists, to ask women to lend their voices to advocating for legislation to close the gap, and to remind women who have made it to the corner office to hear their sisters knocking on the door," said CWU's McCoy.

Current CWU clients and Woman to Woman alumnae will be among the 300 attendees expected and taking part in strategy sessions on subjects such as "Closing the Wage Gap," "Paid Family and Medical Leave," and "Job/Skills Training in Massachusetts."

CWU worked with the Boston Women's Commission, Mass. Coalition for Women's Wage Equality, Mass. Commission on the Status of Women, Service Employees International Union Local 615, and YWCA Boston to plan this dynamic event.

Suze Orman commits $50,000 to CWU

Suze Orman brought more than 850 guests to their feet when she spontaneously pledged $50,000 to Crittenton Women’s Union during her acceptance of the 24th Amelia Earhart Award in April at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. The NY Times best-selling author and Emmy-Award winning TV personality told the crowd that the speeches of two CWU program participants recounting their journeys to economic self-sufficiency moved her to make the unplanned donation. CWU honored Orman for her message of financial empowerment for women.

International conference to showcase CWU

Crittenton Women's Union has been chosen as the local community partner of the Drug Information Association (DIA), a global organization serving the pharmaceutical and medial products industry, during its 44th Annual Meeting being held in Boston June 22nd through June 26th. This marks the first time DIA has partnered with a nonprofit for its hallmark international event.

As part of the launch of the "DIA Cares" initiative, CWU will staff an information booth at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, where the more than 8,000 attendees can learn about the organization directly from CWU representatives, as well as make donations. With over 540 exhibitors—more than 40 of which are from Massachusetts—the DIA's Annual Meeting brings together professionals involved in the discovery, development, regulation, surveillance, and marketing pharmaceuticals and related products.

"We appreciate this unprecedented support from the Drug Information Association," said Elisabeth Babcock, CWU president and CEO. "As the first local community partner of DIA Cares, Crittenton Women's Union will enjoy an exceptional opportunity to educate thousands of people who may not have heard about our work and our mission. As the number of people stuck in poverty in Massachusetts—and nationwide—grows, partnerships like this become more critical to helping low-income families gain a secure economic foothold."

DIA's Worldwide Executive Director Linda McGoldrick will highlight CWU in her welcoming remarks, and Babcock will speak at one of the Annual Meeting events. CWU will also be featured on DIA's website and in materials distributed to attendees.

"We are excited to be introducing DIA Cares in Boston," said McGoldrick. "As a global organization, it is important for DIA to maintain a focus of social responsibility, and, by establishing partnerships with local nonprofit organizations in communities our meetings impact, we are pleased to be able to give back. We are delighted to partner with CWU, whose commitment to improving the lives of low-income women in Boston inspires us all."

Lexington Insurance Company signs on to
Woman to Woman

Lexington Insurance Company and Crittenton Women's Union embarked this spring on what promises to be a long-term partnership, with the Boston-based insurer hosting our Woman to Woman class for a home office tour, staff presentations, and lunch. Lexington staffers gave the students an overview of the company to introduce them to its business and to opportunities to which they can apply their newly acquired skills. Jamie Barth (left) of Lexington's Training and Development Department, seen here speaking to Woman to Woman graduates Nezra Sandy (center) and Jacqueline Rosario (right) attended the class's April graduation ceremony. Barth and her co-worker Rashid Santos (not pictured) of Lexington's Legal Department presented the graduates with travel coffee mugs for their future work commutes. Lexington will welcome the next generation of Woman to Woman students to its downtown site this summer.

Youth GED grads on their way

The 2008 graduates of Crittenton Women's Union Youth GED program will kick off the celebration of their accomplishment at CWU's annual outdoor barbecue on Thursday, June 12th, at our Brighton facility, and conclude with a formal graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 19th, at our downtown offices.

After studying hard to make their goals, the students, along with their families and friends, will kick back and relax at the afternoon potluck picnic. A week later, turned out in their cap and gowns, the nine members of the 2008 graduating class will proudly accept their certificates from CWU President and CEO Elisabeth Babcock. Several currently enrolled students will receive outstanding achievement awards.

CWU's Youth GED program offers students an alternative to a traditional school setting and provides the intensive and supportive services they need to succeed. Operating since 1992, the co-ed program serves Boston residents between ages 16 and 21.

CWU fetes moms

Moms reveled in their Honored Guests status during CWU's Mother's Day dinner in May at our Brighton campus. Volunteers looked after their children and served them their choice of four specially prepared entrees at tables trimmed out in colorful cloths and floral centerpieces. Following dinner, the moms retired to the living room for dessert and reunited with their kids for a family portrait, provided courtesy of Boston University photography student Sara Humphrey. Each mom received a picture frame (for her family photo) and a carnation.