Understanding Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

1. WORKING FOR AN EQUAL FUTURE
UNICEF is committed to practicing and promoting non-discrimination of all kinds, whether on
the basis of sex, age, religion, race, ethnicity, economic status, caste, citizenship, sexual
identity, ability/disability and urban/rural locality. We are dedicated to working with partners at
all levels to help end the intersecting discriminations that children face, and to redress the
ways in which girls typically, and boys in some situations, experience discrimination on the
grounds of their sex, in addition to other forms of discrimination that they may experience.
A principal contribution of UNICEF to women’s rights is through empowerment of the girls who
will become women, so that they can take their place as adults able to claim their own rights,
For more information,! and assume their full responsibilities as duty bearers towards the next generation.
Visit: www.unicef.org!
! UNICEF works for women’s rights not only as an inherent good for societies as a whole, and
in recognition of women as agents of human development, but specifically because the
empowerment of women facilitates the very environment in which gender-equal results can
best be achieved for children.
Creating Diversity Awareness in the Workplace
DIVERSITY WORD SEARCH Forbes published the March 2012 Newsletter
Top 10 Best-Paying Jobs
GENDER EQUALITY EMPOWERMENT For Women In 2011
WOMEN’S RIGHTS FEMINISM POWERFUL
MOVEMENT LEADERSHIP INTERNATIONAL 10. Human Resources Managers
Women in profession: 71%
INDEPENDENCE FAIR PAY OPPORTUNITY
DIFFERENCE INFLUENCE SELF ESTEEM 9. Computer Programmers
Women in profession: 22%
8. Speech-Language Pathologists
Women in profession: 97% Understanding Gender Equality
7. Physical Therapists
Women in profession: 62% and Women’s Empowerment
6. Computer and Information
Systems Managers Gender equality is, first and foremost, a human right. Gender
Women in profession: 30% equality implies a society in which women and men enjoy the same
5. Computer Software Engineers opportunities, outcomes, rights and obligations in all spheres of life.
Women in profession: 21% Equality between men and women exists when both sexes are able to
4. Lawyers share equally in the distribution of power and influence; have equal
Women in profession: 35% opportunities for financial independence through work or through setting
3. Chief Executives up businesses; enjoy equal access to education and the opportunity to
Women in profession: 26% develop personal ambitions. A critical aspect of promoting gender
2. Pharmacists equality is the empowerment of women, with a focus on identifying and
Women in profession: 48% redressing power imbalances and giving women more autonomy to
1. Physicians and Surgeons manage their own lives. Women's empowerment is vital to sustainable
Women in profession: 31% development and the realization of human rights for all. Women are
entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and from fear.
Empowering women is also an indispensable tool for advancing
The Staff Management | SMX DPIC includes: Kenyatta Draper, Lupe
Gonzalez, Katie Smith, Jenny Reints, Roxanne Ramoutar, Avery Yancey, development and reducing poverty.
Dayna Corona, Jessica Lewis, Justin Schwartz, Robert Cook, Maurice
Proffit, Jennifer Fielding and Lloyd Weathers!
MARCH 2012 NEWSLETTER DIVERSITY PROGRAM INCLUSION COUNCIL CREATING DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE NEWSLETTER MARCH 2012

2. Great Movies to Watch
National Women’s Hall of Fame Meet Gloria Steinem With celebrating women during the month, check
2011 Inductees out some ground-breaking movies that changed
Gloria Marie Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and
the views of the world.
social and political activist who became nationally recognized as
Abby Kelley Foster
a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation
During her lifetime, Abby Kelley Foster followed the motto,
“Go where least wanted, for there you are most needed.” movement. Norma Rae (1979)
Starring: Sally Field
A major figure in the national anti-slavery and women’s
A young single mother and textile worker
"We hold these truths to be rights movements, she spent more than twenty years
agrees to help unionize her mill despite the
traveling the country as a tireless crusader for social
self-evident that all men and women justice and equality for all.
problems and dangers involved.
are created equal..."
Barbara A. Mikulski Nine to Five (1980)
The first female Democratic United States Senator elected Starring: Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda
in her own right, Barbara Mikulski has been a political Three female employees of a sexist,
egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot find a way
trailblazer for more than thirty years. Steinem contributions: to turn the tables on him.
Billie Holiday • A prominent writer and political figure, Steinem was a
Considered by many to be one of the greatest jazz vocalists columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. A League of Their Own (1992)
of all time, Billie Holiday triumphed over adversity to forever Magazine. Starring: Geena Davis, Tom Hanks,
change the genres of jazz and pop music with her unique Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell
With these words a dream was given life in historic styling and interpretation. • Founded the Women's Action Alliance, a pioneering national Two sisters join the first female professional
Seneca Falls, New York – birthplace of the American information center that specialized in nonsexist, multiracial baseball league and struggle to help it
Women’s Rights Movement. Here, in 1848, Elizabeth Coretta Scott King children's education. succeed amidst their own growing rivalry.
Cady Stanton (a Seneca Falls resident), Lucretia Mott One of the most celebrated champions of human and civil
• the National Women's Political Caucus, a group that continues
and 300 other women and men held the first Women's rights, Coretta Scott King, in partnership with her husband,
to work to advance the numbers of pro-equality women in The Joy Luck Club (1993)
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ignited democracy
Rights Convention. The Declaration of Sentiments, elected Starring: Tamlyn Tomita,
movements worldwide. Rosalind Chao and Kieu Chinh
modeled after the Declaration of Independence, was
• President and co-founder of Voters for Choice The life histories of four Asian women and
presented and passed by the convention. These Donna E. Shalala their daughters reflect and guide each other.
resolutions included among other demands, that women A groundbreaking educator and politician, Dr. Donna E. • Co-founder of the Women's Media Center, an organization
have the right to vote. The struggle for women's rights Shalala has more than thirty years of experience as an that works to amplify the voices of women in the media
had begun. accomplished scholar, teacher and administrator. through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the Little Women (1994)
Starring: Susan Sarandon,
creation of original content. Winona Ryder and Kirsten Dunst
Seventy-two years later in 1920, the 19th amendment to Dorothy Harrison Eustis
With their father away fighting in the Civil War,
the Constitution of the United States was ratified, which A philanthropist, Dorothy Harrison Eustis combined her love • Co-founder of Choice USA, a national organization that Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy grow up with their
of animals and her passion for helping others to co-found supports young pro-choice leadership and works to preserve
gave women many rights, including the right to vote. It the nation’s first dog guide school, The Seeing Eye.
mother in somewhat reduced circumstances.
had been a long, hard fight by women and men who comprehensive sex education in schools They are a close family who inevitably have
their squabbles and tragedies. But the bond
believed in the equality and rights of women. Helen Murray Free • President of the Ms. Foundation for Women, a national holds even when, later, men friends start to
A pioneering chemist, Helen Murray Free conducted multi-racial, multi-issue fund that supports grassroots projects become a part of the household.
In 1969, the women and men of Seneca Falls created scientific research that revolutionized diagnostic testing in to empower women and girls.
the National Women’s Hall of Fame, believing that the the laboratory and at home.
• Founder of its Take Our Daughters to Work Day, a first national Erin Brockovich (2000)
contributions of American women deserved a permanent Starring: Julia Roberts,
home in the small village where the fight for women’s Kathrine Switzer day devoted to girls that has now become an institution here
Albert Finney and David Brisbin
rights began. The Hall is currently housed in the Helen As the first woman to officially enter the Boston Marathon, and in other countries An unemployed single mother becomes a
Kathrine Switzer broke the gender barrier and paved the legal assistant and almost single-handedly
Mosher Barben Building, in the heart of the downtown way for women in running. • Member of the Beyond Racism Initiative, a three-year effort on brings down a California power company
Historic District. the part of activists and experts from South Africa, Brazil and accused of polluting a city's water supply.
Lilly Ledbetter the United States to compare the racial patterns
The National Women’s Hall of Fame is the nation’s For more than a decade, Lilly Ledbetter fought to achieve
oldest membership organization dedicated to pay equity. President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Among hundreds of awards, Parenting magazine selected Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
recognizing and celebrating the achievements of great Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law on January 29, 2009. Steinem for its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 for her work Starring: Julia Roberts,
in promoting girls' self-esteem, and Biography magazine listed Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles
American women. This esteemed group grows with A free-thinking art professor teaches
each Induction Ceremony and as women continue to Loretta C. Ford her as one of the 25 most influential women in America. In 1993, conservative 50's Wellesley girls to question
influence and shape the arts, athletics, business, An internationally renowned nursing leader, Dr. Loretta C. Gloria was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in their traditional societal roles.
Ford has transformed the profession of nursing and made Seneca Falls, New York.
education, government, humanities, philanthropy and health care more accessible to the general public.
science. Amelia (2009)
St. Katharine Drexel Starring: Hilary Swank
There have been 247 women inducted into the Hall. A missionary who dedicated her life and fortune to aid A look at the life of legendary American pilot
Native Americans and African Americans, Saint Katharine Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying
over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt
Drexel is only the second recognized
to make a flight around the world.
American-born saint.
MARCH 2012 NEWSLETTER DIVERSITY PROGRAM INCLUSION COUNCIL CREATING DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE NEWSLETTER MARCH 2012

3. Influential Women Who Changed Our World
Anne Frank
Mother Teresa
DIARIST
MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY FOUNDER
She dreamed of being remembered as a
In creating an order whose members tended
Does she imagine she can become whatever she wants to be? to the orphaned, sick, and dying among the
writer — and her words have had a life she
couldn't have imagined when she died in a
Is she growing up in an environment that supports her future success? poorest of the poor in India and, eventually,
concentration camp at the age of 15. Her
worldwide, Mother Teresa, born Agnes
diary, written as she and her family hid from
Bojaxhiu in what is now Macedonia, inspired
It's time we create a supportive environment that helps pave her path to others as a model of service and extreme
the Nazis in an Amsterdam attic, reminds us
of both the Holocaust's unspeakable
success. We all have a role to play to get her there. goodness.
inhumanity and the child who somehow
managed to say, "In spite of everything, I still
Eleanor Roosevelt
believe that people are really good at heart.”
FIRST LADY, U.S. DELEGATE
TO THE UNITED NATIONS,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST
SECRETARY OF STATE, FORMER FIRST
FDR's helpmate, national reassurer during
LADY, FORMER U.S. SENATOR
WW II, friend to working women and the
The Problem > A Solution As a presidential candidate in 2008, she won
downtrodden, battler against injustice, she
There's something seriously stopping When girls succeed, overcame intense shyness to become a
more primaries and gathered more delegates
than any woman in U.S. history. Sure, she
supremely public person.
girls from reaching their full potential. so does society. polarizes — but this deft stateswoman also
What's stopping girls today? Negative influences We know that the greatness inside her hasn't gone Amelia Earhart
mesmerizes and energizes.
surround girls' lives, including peer pressure to not away. It's just not being realized. This generation of ICONIC AVIATOR
stand out, a lack of role models and mentors, unhealthy girls deserves to lead tomorrow's boardrooms and Diana, Princess of Wales
The first woman to fly across the Atlantic
images in the media about beauty, and even bullying ROYAL AND HUMANITARIAN
courthouses and run our hospitals and technology tragically disappeared in 1937 on what was
Her legacy of charm and charity endures,
from their peers. If this current cycle of discouragement start-ups. But she might not get there, unless we meant to be a globe-circling flight. She
especially her campaigns for acceptance of
continues unchecked, millions of girls won't reach their create the environment needed to support her. All of accomplished a larger mission, dramatically
AIDS victims and against land mines. We
full potential as leaders in our society. us have a role to play in helping girls achieve their full expanding the world's notions of how high a
remember most the uniting effect of the
woman can soar.
leadership potential. world's mourning her sudden and shocking
death.
Marie Curie
It's time we create a supportive environment that helps pave her path to success. NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING
We all have a role to play to get her there. Oprah Winfrey
PHYSICIST AND CHEMIST
QUEEN OF ALL MEDIA
The first woman to win a Nobel Prize in two
Where do we start? Because she uses TV to
areas (she shared one with husband Pierre,
help us live our best lives; because her book
who died in a tragic accident), Curie
club created millions of readers; because
codiscovered two elements, radium and
she's a benevolent billionaire, giving
polonium, and coined the term "radioactivity."
Raven Symone started her Mary Kate and Ashley were She was one of the first to suggest using
gazillions to charity; because of her
Leadership Academy — we just don't have
career at the age of 3 millionaires by the age of 10 radiation to treat cancer. Curie helped usher
room in our gratitude journal.
in the atomic age and revolutionize
Raven Symone is a young entrepreneur with her own Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were just 9 months old,
chemistry, physics, and medicine — while
entertainment and business empire. She's been making appearing as the cute baby Michelle on the television fighting deep prejudice against women in the
Rosie the Riveter
big business career moves since we first saw her, at the show Full House. At just 7 years old, the mini-moguls FACTORY WORKER
sciences.
age of 3, in the 1980's hit family comedy "The Cosby co-founded Dualstar to market their images to tweens She symbolized women's contribution to the
Show". Raven is best known however for her starring around the world—from DVDs to cosmetics to furniture. war effort. Real-life Rosies filled factory
Margaret Thatcher
positions while men were away (the number
role in the Disney Channel comedy series, That's So At 18, the girls took over the company, estimated to be FIRST FEMALE PRIME
of American working women grew by 50
Raven. She has a lot of talent and a pair of positive and worth millions. MINISTER OF BRITAIN
percent in four years), proving that we could
supportive parents to help guide her career. Hearing the Iron Lady talk tough — and in
excel at a "man's job.”
Now, Mary-Kate and Ashley are all grown up and have such plummy tones! — inspired us to stay
strong, too (whether we agreed with her or
Today at 26, she has accomplished quite a lot since her discovered a passion for fashion. In 2006, they
not).
former child actor days. Her net worth last reported in launched a high-end clothing line called The Row,
2010 by Forbes Magazine is between $40-$45 million. followed by a more contemporary line, Elizabeth and Good Housekeeping celebrated 125 women who, during
Raven's merchandising empire through partnerships James. The twins are considered fashion icons and are the past 125 years, broke records, broke ground, blazed
Barbara Millicent Roberts
with Disney and other companies is what is worth an highly respected by legendary designers for their bold trails, and suffered trials, shattering ceilings of glass and
ANATOMICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TOY
estimated $400 million. She owns a percentage of that personal styles. Yep, that's Barbie's full name, according to even tougher stuff. While some are obvious choices and
$400 million. her official biography. Whatever your some obscure, all acted to increase our liberty, safety,
relationship with her, this wildly popular Vinyl and prosperity.
American (millions sold, in 150 countries) got
us talking about body image. Her waist has View the entire listing at:
been widened, and she's no longer always www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/inspirational-people/
on tiptoe. You've come a long way, dollface. women-who-changed-our-world#slide-1
MARCH 2012 NEWSLETTER DIVERSITY PROGRAM INCLUSION COUNCIL CREATING DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE NEWSLETTER MARCH 2012

4. Women for Women International
Significant Events in the Women’s Rights Movement HELPING WOMEN SURVIVORS OF WAR REBUILD THEIR LIVES
Since its creation, Women for Women International has given hope to more
Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association. The than 299,000 women survivors of war and conflict and helped them move toward
1869 primary goal of the organization is to achieve voting rights for women by means of a Congressional economic self-sufficiency with our year-long program of direct aid, rights education,
amendment to the Constitution. job skills training, and small business development. We have distributed $95 million
in direct aid, microcredit loans, and other program services. Since 1993, Women
for Women International has mobilized more than 250,000 women and men in
The National Association of Colored Women is formed, bringing together more than 100 black
130 countries worldwide to reach out and support women survivors of war –
1896 women's clubs. Leaders in the black women's club movement include Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin,
one woman at a time.
Mary Church Terrell, and Anna Julia Cooper.
www.womenforwomen.org
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote, is signed into law by
1920
Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby.
Margaret Sanger founds the American Birth Control League, which evolves into the Planned Feminist Majority Foundation
1921
Parenthood Federation of America in 1942. The Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF), which was founded in 1987, is a cutting
edge organization dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health, and non-
Mary McLeod Bethune organizes the National Council of Negro Women, a coalition of black women's violence. In all spheres, FMF utilizes research and action to empower women
1935 economically, socially, and politically. Our organization believes that feminists - both
groups that lobbies against job discrimination, racism, and sexism.
women and men, girls and boys - are the majority, but this majority must be
empowered.
1960 The Food and Drug Administration approves birth control pills.
www.feminist.org
President John Kennedy establishes the President's Commission on the Status of Women and
appoints Eleanor Roosevelt as chairwoman. The report issued by the Commission in 1963 documents
1961
substantial discrimination against women in the workplace and makes specific recommendations for
improvement, including fair hiring practices, paid maternity leave, and affordable child care.
Equality Now
Equality Now works for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women
Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employers to pay a woman less than what a and girls around the world. Working with grassroots women’s and human rights
1963
man would receive for the same job. organizations and individual activists since 1992, Equality Now documents violence
and discrimination against women and mobilizes international action to support
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act passes, prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, efforts to stop these abuses.
1964
religion or national origin.
www.equalitynow.org
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded by a group of feminists including Betty
1966 Friedan. The largest women's rights group in the U.S., NOW seeks to end sexual discrimination,
especially in the workplace, by means of legislative lobbying, litigation, and public demonstrations.
Human Rights Watch
California becomes the first state to adopt a "no fault" divorce law, which allows couples to divorce by Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit, nongovernmental human rights organization.
1969 mutual consent. By 1985 every state has adopted a similar law. Laws are also passed regarding the Each year, Human Rights Watch publishes more than 100 reports and briefings on
equal division of common property. human rights conditions in some 90 countries, generating extensive coverage in
local and international media.
As a result of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion,
1973
overriding the anti-abortion laws of many states. www.hrw.org
The Family and Medical Leave Act goes into effect, allowing female workers to take employment leave
1993
after giving birth.
Women’s International Center
Women’s International Center (WIC) was founded in 1982 as a non-profit education
The Violence Against Women Act tightens federal penalties for sex offenders, funds services for
1994 and service foundation with the mission to ‘acknowledge, honor, encourage and
victims of rape and domestic violence, and provides for special training of police officers.
educate women’. For twenty eight years at our Living Legacy Awards ceremonies
President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which allows victims of pay we have brought hundreds of people together to celebrate the accomplishments
discrimination to file a complaint with the government against their employer within 180 days of their and positive and lasting contributions of women.
2009
last paycheck.
www.wic.org
MARCH 2012 NEWSLETTER DIVERSITY PROGRAM INCLUSION COUNCIL CREATING DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE NEWSLETTER MARCH 2012