Women Employed Luncheon Draws Nearly 70 Attendees

02.07.13

Nearly 70 of Chicago’s women business leaders attended a luncheon recently at Aronberg Goldgehn to help kick off the 40th anniversary celebration activities of Women Employed, a non-profit organization committed to improving the economic status of women.

The luncheon, held on February 7th, was co-chaired by Lisa Pattis, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Wintrust Financial and a member of the Executive Board of Women Employed, and Deborah Golden, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of GATX Corporation, and a member of the Board of Women Employed.

The luncheon’s attendees heard Ann Ladky, Executive Director of Women Employed, talk about the organization’s founding in 1973. At that time, she noted that “workplace discrimination was the norm” and that women routinely endured unfair and hostile working conditions in every industry. She said, “None of the founders could have envisioned the changes that would eventually occur nor the role Women Employed would play.”

Ladky discussed some of the various legislative initiatives which Women Employed actively helped turn into law and added, “We’re very proud of the tremendous advances so many women have made over the past four decades. Yet millions of women are still trapped in low-paying jobs”. She said her organization’s vision is that “All women are treated fairly in the workplace, are able to attain the skills they need for the jobs they want, and are respected for the work they do.”

Women Employed “has done such an amazing job forging powerful collaborations, galvanizing support and mobilizing people and organizations to achieve real change for women,” said one of the co-hosts.

  Those wishing to find out more about Women Employed and its initiatives should contact them at 312-782-3902 or info@womenemployed.org. Information can also be found via the Women Employed website at www.womenemployed.org.