New York Women's Agenda
Encyclopedia
The New York Women’s Agenda (NYWA) is an umbrella organization of women's groups in the New York City
metropolitan area. Its membership consists of both nonprofit women's organizations and individuals.
, NYWA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of women and children of New York.
NYWA's members represent the diversity of New York City and include community-based groups; religious, ethnic, and political groups; professional associations; and issues-based groups. Through NYWA, these groups unite to work on issues of common interest and to advocate for public policy.
. Honored speakers were New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg
and first lady of New York State Michelle Paterson. In 2009, Gloria Steinem
presented this award to Jane Fonda
. Michelle Paterson was honored speaker.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
metropolitan area. Its membership consists of both nonprofit women's organizations and individuals.
About NYWA
Founded in 1992 by Elinor GuggenheimerElinor Guggenheimer
Elinor Sophia Coleman "Ellie" Guggenheimer was an American civic leader, author, and philanthropist in New York City.-Life and career:...
, NYWA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of women and children of New York.
NYWA's members represent the diversity of New York City and include community-based groups; religious, ethnic, and political groups; professional associations; and issues-based groups. Through NYWA, these groups unite to work on issues of common interest and to advocate for public policy.
Agendas
NYWA is involved in various activities which focus on a broad range of public policy issues that affect the quality of life of women and their families. These are grouped into three main areas, or "agendas" that are the focus of NYWA's work each year.- Governmental Affairs Agenda: Their most recent success was the Fair Pay Forum held at Hunter CollegeHunter CollegeHunter College, established in 1870, is a public university and one of the constituent colleges of the City University of New York, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Hunter grants undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees in more than one hundred fields of study, and is recognized...
in December 2008 featuring Lilly LedbetterLilly LedbetterLilly Ledbetter was the plaintiff in the American employment discrimination case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. She has since become a women's equality activist.-Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.:...
which stimulated passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. "The legislation expanded workers’ rights to sue in this kind of case, and relaxed the statute of limitations, restarting the six-month clock every time the worker receives a paycheck." For the most current information, go to NYWA/EPCNYC BLOG: www.nywaepcnyc.org
- Economic Security Agenda: Most recently, NYWA has developed the Strategic Business Leadership program with the School of Continuing and Professional StudiesNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, Department of Leadership and Human Capital Management. This program is tailored specifically towards women leaders of profit and nonprofit organizations and government agencies who are looking to improve their leadership skills and increase their organization’s effectiveness. Participants in this program receive an Executive Certificate in Strategic Business Leadership.
- Quality of Life Agenda: focuses on what may improve living conditions for New York women and their families, including affordability of housing, the physical environment, recreation, health, safety, culture, and the sense of community.
Programs
- Financial Literacy: Financial literacy was first addressed in 1998 when Muriel SiebertMuriel SiebertMuriel “Mickie” Siebert, , and known as "The First Woman of Finance", was the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and the first woman to head one of its member firms. Her struggle to obtain that seat – and join the 1365 male members of the exchange – culminated...
was NYWA president. Now, in conjunction with the Manhattan Chamber of CommerceManhattan Chamber of CommerceManhattan Chamber of Commerce, like others of its kind, is an association of businesses and businessmen in the Manhattan area of New York City.-History:...
NYWA created The New York City Financial Literacy Guide for Girls and Women. "Women are in a special need of becoming financially literate. Yet women often do not want to admit their problems in money management. This Guide provides numerous different resources including self-study possibilities as well as workshops, courses and events."
- New York Breaks the Silence Together: This program was begun by Linda FairsteinLinda FairsteinLinda Fairstein is an American feminist author and former prosecutor focusing on crimes of violence against women and children. She served as head of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's office from 1976 until 2002 and is the author of a series of novels featuring Manhattan...
, former chief of the Manhattan District Attorney's sex crimes unit because, "We lose the victims before the trial...The victims withdraw, choose not to prosecute, some because of fear of reprisal, some because of the psychological feelings involved. The perception has been nationally...that these cases don't do well in the system"
- New York Reads Together: This is the first city-wide book discussion project to foster literacy. Supported by the New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
school system and nationally known newscaster Roz Abrams, it is one of NYWA's most successful programs. At its 2005 commencement, Pace UniversityPace UniversityPace University is an American private, co-educational, and comprehensive multi-campus university in the New York metropolitan area with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York.-Programs:...
President David A. CaputoDavid A. CaputoDavid Armand Caputo became the sixth president of Pace University in 2000.He serves as co-chair of the New York State Regents' Professional Standards and Practices Board, as a director of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, on the Council of Presidents of the...
honored Roz Abrams's work on this program, "You serve as cochair of the New York Reads Together Program, a program of New York’s Women’s Agenda that aims to foster citywide discussions based on people all reading the same book at the same time."
Star Breakfast
In 2008, the Star Breakfast presented the inaugural Elinor Guggenheimer Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara WaltersBarbara Walters
Barbara Jill Walters is an American broadcast journalist, author, and television personality. She has hosted morning television shows , the television newsmagazine , former co-anchor of the ABC Evening News, and current contributor to ABC News.Walters was first known as a popular TV morning news...
. Honored speakers were New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
and first lady of New York State Michelle Paterson. In 2009, Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Marie Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s...
presented this award to Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
. Michelle Paterson was honored speaker.