New York State Fair Pay Act

 

Executive Director, Heather Filipowicz stood side by side with Senator Tim Kennedy and other community leaders at a press conference on Thursday, November 1st in support of the New York State Fair Pay Act aimed at closing the wage gap among genders.  The New York State Fair Pay Act targets wage disparities between women and men as well as between minorities and non-minorities in the same jobs and in jobs that are dissimilar but require equal levels of effort, responsibility, skill and working conditions.

 

Executive Director Heather Filipowicz along with Senator Tim Kennedy, Councilwoman Bonnie Russell, and supporters

This legislation ends wage discrimination, ensures pay equity and protects workers from retaliation when they discuss potential disparities among salaries.  It requires the State Department of Labor to promulgate guidelines to help employers maintain pay equity between both male and female employees and between minority and non-minority employees.  Senator Kennedy is one of the top Democrats on the Senate Economic Development Committee, and he called on Albany to finally approve the New York State Fair Pay Act.

 

Heather had an opportunity to share the WNY Women's Foundations perspective on wage inequalities and the direct impact it has on an entire family's economic self-sufficiency:  "Fair pay for women is not just a women's issue, but a family issue.  Unequal pay for women keeps families and children in poverty and hurts the middle class.  The Fair Pay Act will give women economic independence and generate family sustaining jobs for all New Yorkers."

 

The Fair Pay Act legislation has been approved in the Assembly in the past.  Senator Kennedy and fellow Democrats in the Senate have been pushing for the Fair Pay Act to finally be brought to the floor for a vote.   The WNY Women's Foundation will be working with Senator Kennedy and his office to support and advocate the passing of the Fair Pay Act legislation.

 

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Fall In Fashion 2012 - Sells out & breaks fundraising records!

 

 

It was a best-dressed crowd mingling and dining amongst some of Western New York's most forward-thinking business women, volunteers, and donors.  A special thank you goes to Shine Hassanali, Rebecca Collins, and Amy Beume for leading this year's committee to raising over $76,000 towards our mission and strategic initiatives.

 

The high-energy Fashion Show - with DJ Maxwell at the helm - had three of the best fashion houses in town.  Represented by our own Co-Chair Rebecca Collins, Worth New York, enables women of purpose, passion and style to succeed in their own business while balancing family and community involvement - had an array of daytime, business, and evening looks.  Tony Walker & Co. is an upscale, dynamic shopping destination with prime location in Williamsville, NY and showcased international brands from children's ware to activeware to menswear and everything in-between.  Buffalo's own fashion designer, Ali Eagan, opened Anatomy over a year ago and the showroom, in the Hotel Lafayette, houses the made-to-measure collection and other local accessories, as well as the work space for constructing the garments. She creates custom designed and perfectly fitted garments for women of all ages, including brides and bridal parties.

 

Thank you to all of our guests, committee, volunteers, models, and designers for helping make this a fabulous day!  And thank you to: DJ Maxwell Collins, The Buffalo Club, Buffalo Audio Visual, Lauren Byrd, Amy Dietrich, Dave Marino Photography, Sara Heidenger Photography, Sage Florist, Fix Salon, Danita Kenyon of TW & Co.'s Body & Beauty.

 

Couldn't get a ticket? Check out a glimpse into the day here! 

 

 

Association of Fundraising Professionals Honors Jacobs Family

 

On Wednesday, November 14th, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, WNY Chapter, held the annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, highlighting the impressive philanthropic work that takes place in Western New York.  We were thrilled, along with many others, to honor the Jacobs Family as the recipients of the 'Outstanding Philanthropists" of the year award. 

Alice and Jeremy Jacobs Jr.

We are lucky to have Alice Jacobs, our current Board Chair, a long-time dynamic volunteer and donor,  and the entire Jacobs Family, as our supporters.  Their investment of time, resources, and energy in the systemic change and growth of our community are not only impressive, but unique. 

 

Congratulations to all of this year's winners.  The Buffalo community is a better place because of each of you!

 

Empowering Women to Ensure a Family Sustaining Job

 

Our new partnership with Niagara County Community College (NCCC) to pilot a program focusing on single mothers and helping them to graduate and get and keep a family sustaining job is moving forward quickly.

 

The Foundation's Pathways to Progress report found that women are the dominant face of poverty in our community, a region with among the highest poverty rates in the nation.  How do we impact this disturbing trend?  One leverage point identified in our research as key to removing barriers faced by women in raising their families out of poverty is to encourage and support women to pursue post-secondary education and training in high-growth, higher-earning fields, including non-traditional occupations for women. 

 

"Niagara County Community College is pleased to have the opportunity to work with the WNY Women's Foundation on the Family Sustaining Jobs program," said NCCC President James P. Klyczek. "Central to our mission is support of under-served populations in training for and finding gainful employment to sustain their families. Helping single mothers to become successful, self-sufficient members of society through the development of career pathways is right in line with that mission."

 

In addition to working with NCCC, we will be leading a collaborative learning network with other area colleges to seek their input into the model as well as share our progress and outcomes.  You will be hearing much more about this initiative in coming months.

 

 

Fall Breakfast Speaker Series with Dr. Pamela C. Brown

 

 

Please join us for our fall Breakfast Speaker Series  

 

"A Call For Action" 

with 

Dr. Pamela C. Brown

 Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools

Read Dr. Brown's Bio Here

 

Dr. Pamela C. Brown

 

 

8:00 AM Breakfast 

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Keynote Address & Conversation

Templeton Landing, 2 Templeton Terrace Buffalo, NY 14202

 

Reservations: Lindsay@wnywfdn.org or 716-887-2621

Cost: $15 at the door 

Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 5th

 

How You Can Get Involved 

 

Do you feel inspired by what you see and want to get involved?   

 

Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

• Understand our mission and goals - visit our website at  www.wnywomensfoundation.org  
• Educate yourself and others about the issues affecting women and girls in our region
• Advocate for change to improve the lives of women and girls  
• Volunteer to serve on one of our committees or task forces
• 'Like' our Facebook page - WNY Women's Foundation - and share with friends 
• Follow us on twitter @WNYWomensFndn

  

We have come so far and have so much more to do. Honor a woman who has made an impact in your life by making a gift in her honor. Together, we will make a change!

Get In Touch With Us

Please feel free to contact us to learn more about our programs.  If you don't currently receive our monthly e-newsletter, be sure to sign up now!