Literacy is Lit

It’s almost the weekend, and a great time to decide which book you’ll start this weekend. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

• Broad Influence: How Women Are Changing the Way America Works, Jay Newton-Small
• Born Bright: A Young Girl’s Journey from Nothing to Something in America, C. Nicole Mason
• Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, Monique W. Morris
• $2:00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer

Here’s what we’re doing today:

Let us know what books you are reading to deepen your knowledge during #our100days. Also, two people have a chance to win a free copy of one of the books we suggested! The more you share book recommendations, the higher your chances to win! Be sure to use #our100days in your post.

Sample Tweets:

I’m currently reading: ______ Let me know what you’re reading this week! #our100days

Need a great book rec? Check out: ____________ share your suggestion today! #our100days

Get a Raise

While a recent study debunks the myth that women are less likely to ask for a raise, it’s always a good time to freshen your skills. Take a moment to read some advice from Harvard Business Review on how to ask for a raise.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

Share your expertise with your mentee, daughter, co-worker, or friend around how you’ve successfully negotiated within the workplace.

Sample Tweets:

The best career advice I got: ______________ #our100days

Asking for a raise isn’t about what you need, it’s about why they need you. Read more advice here: wawf.org/2lhmaRD #our100days

Know your worth — then ask for a raise. More ways to claim your raise here: wawf.org/2lhmaRD #our100days

 

Equal Pay for Equal Work

We can watch Audi’s new ad about equal pay over and over again. Did you know women in the Washington region fare moderately better than women in the rest of the country? They have a 84% pay gap compared to the national gap of 80%.

The data tells us, however, the disparities are much worse for women of color. Black women are paid 53% and Latina women are paid just 33% compared to White, non-Hispanic men in the Washington region.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

We are learning about the status of women in the workforce. Take a few moments to read our issue brief on the subject, and then tweet what you learned.

Sample Tweets:

I had no idea women make up 64.5% of low-income workers in #DC #VA #MD. Take some time to read this: bit.ly/1fyLomL #our100days

I support @TheWomensFndtn working w/ @AoHDC @dcgoodwill & more orgs that help women advance to better paying jobs! #our100days

The median income for a women in #DC region with a degree = $54,425; For a man = $73,937. Read more here: bit.ly/1fyLomL #our100days

 

The Fight for Equality

Residents of the District of Columbia have had the power to elected a Delegate to the House of Representatives since 1970; however, that Delegate is unable to vote. Click here to learn more about the history of the nation’s capital.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

Visit DC Vote’s website to learn more about the fight for equal representation for DC residents.

Sample Tweets:

DYK that #DC doesn’t have a vote in Congress? Learn more about DC’s fight for equal representation today: http://www.dcvote.org/ #our100days

 

Dress to Impress

The Training Source provides job training and related services to ensure that adults and youth have the support and life skills, professional skills and technical skills needed to pursue higher education and careers, secure and retain employment, and achieve long-term stability.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

Based in Prince George’s County, MD, The Training Source is in need of donations of professional clothing for women. Find out how to donate here and share the link with your friends: wawf.org/2l1pn7K

Sample Tweets:

Women in need of professional clothing! Donate business attire to The Training Source today: wawf.org/2l1pn7K #our100days

 

Pay It Forward

Women-owned businesses play an important role in the economic vitality of our region. There are more than 221,000 women-owned businesses in the Washington, D.C. region. Together they employ over 215,000 individuals and generate roughly $35 million in sales.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

This weekend, seek out a woman-owned business and share your favorite local spots with us using #our100days.

Sample Tweets:

Support a woman-owned business today! Tag & share your favorite using #our100days wawf.org/2jJH8qW

Today, I want to highlight my favorite woman-owned business – check out (_____) today! Share your favorite woman biz & why! #our100days

Woman-owned businesses in DC employ over 215,000 & generate roughly $35M in sales. Join the #our100days movement to learn & share more!

 

Help Women Thrive

Did you know that more than 3,000 women have obtained jobs or advanced to higher paying jobs thanks to opportunities created through Washington Area Women’s Foundation?

Here’s what we’re doing today:

You can help more women thrive in our community by making a gift today. Better yet, set up a monthly re-occurring gift – and let us know that you did at #our100days.

Sample Tweets:

I marched. I called. I gave. Join me in daily actions to make lasting change during @TheWomensFndtn’s #our100days bit.ly/Give2WAWF

I just did my part to help women thrive in #DC #MD #VA. You can give, too at bit.ly/Give2WAWF #our100days

 

Lights, Camera, Action…

“This story is about what happens when we put our differences aside, and we come together as a human race. We win. Love wins, every time.” – Taraji P. Henson (SAG Award winner for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture Sunday night.)

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of black Americans and to recognize their role in our history. Just last week, a record number of African American actors were nominated for Oscars, including three women in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Nominated film “Hidden Figures” tells the story of three African American women who worked at NASA and were instrumental in launching John Glenn into orbit.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

Grab a friend and hit the theaters to see Hidden Figures and learn more about our hidden history! Using #our100days, share a hidden figure in your community or your reflections on the film.

 

Close the Gender Gap

Last night, the President announced his nominee for the Supreme Court, setting up a battle in the Senate over confirmation. At the same time, the World Economic Forum released its 2016 Global Gender Gap Report, which estimates that it will take 170 years to reach gender parity globally. According to the report, the United States ranks 45th overall, but 73rd in terms of political empowerment, an indicator that measures the gap between men and women at the highest level of political decision-making.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

Women make up 19.4% of Congress, and 24.8% of state legislators, while women of color make up just 7.1 percent of Congress, and 5.4 percent of state legislators, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. Have you ever thought about running for office, or do you know someone who is considering running? Now is the time! Check out this practical guide to running for office.

Using #our100days, tweet us what’s holding you back from running?

Sample Tweets:

Women of color make up 7.1% of Congress. Know a woman who should run? Here’s how she can in 5 steps: bit.ly/2kqOr7i #our100days

According to this report, it’ll take us 170 years to reach gender parity globally. Share the report wawf.org/2kVt6iT #our100days

Who run the world? Girls. Encourage a woman to run for office today with this practical guide bit.ly/2kqOr7i #our100days

Curious about the # of women in office? Read @CAWP_RU’s latest statistics now: wawf.org/2jvVRX8 #our100days

 

Empower Our Girls

We cannot continue to allow our girls to grow up believing that they are less than. A new study shows that girls as young as 6 believe that they are less smart. Click here to read more.

Here’s what we’re doing today:

Using #our100days, share your ideas for ways to break down gender stereotypes.

Sample Tweets:

It’s important to empower our #girls! Give a girl a compliment today & join #our100days to make lasting change: wawf.org/2jJH8qW

You are kind. You are smart. You are important. File under: things we should tell young women & girls! #our100days wawf.org/2jJH8qW