INSTITUTE for QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Women’s Policy Research IWPR Launches New Study on Women and Immigration By Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. meet an array of immigrant needs. They pro- become trapped in domestic service jobs In November 2008, IWPR launched a two- vide much-needed services such as material where they are largely invisible and lack the year study on women, immigration, and reli- and financial assistance, legal counsel, and ac- freedom to pursue employment opportunities gion, funded by the Ford Foundation. This cess to medical care and housing. Some also with better pay and working conditions. In project seeks to inform efforts to advance the participate in activism on behalf of immigrants. addition, many immigrant women experience rights, economic standing, and general well- IWPR’s research focuses on the signifi- reproductive health problems that stem from being of immigrant women in three metropol- cance of this work for Latina immigrants in factors such as sexual violence, inadequate itan areas commonly designated as U.S. “new particular. Latina immigrants often experi- access to health care, language barriers, and destinations”: Atlanta, Phoenix, and Northern ence many of the same challenges as their institutionalized discrimination. Virginia. The research will explore how non- male counterparts, such as substantial eco- Several recent studies have explored the profit organizations, including religious con- nomic hardship and inadequate access to roles that religious organizations play in ad- gregations, work with and on behalf of immi- public services. But they also face challenges vancing the rights and well-being of immi- grant communities, will document the and vulnerabilities that are more common to grants, but none has examined how these economic status of immigrant women in these women. For example, some immigrant women organizations address the (Cont’d on p. 3) three areas, and will make recommendations for strengthening community networks to ex- pand immigrant women’s rights and resources. New destinations have experienced dra- New Report matic growth in their immigrant populations over the last several decades, which generally Examines the has not been matched by the development of a civic and political infrastructure that can ade- Lives of Black quately serve immigrants. Many religious con- Girls in New gregations and nonprofits, however, offer important and unique resources that help to York City TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Message . 2 Sex and Race Discrimination in Employment . 3 Panel members included Rev. Emma Jordan-Simpson, Isis Sapp-Grant, NYC high school Feminist and Faith-Based Activism . 4 student Cathy Williams, Mikki Taylor, and Dr. Monica Sweeney discussed the report’s findings Honoring Dr. Vicky Lovell . 4 in a panel at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Women and Health Coverage . 5 Single Mothers and College Success . 5 By Lara Hinz original data collected through written surveys Research on Gulf Coast Women . 6 A comprehensive new report, Black Girls and focus groups, with a review of existing lit- in New York City: Untold Strength and Re- erature, the report provides an in-depth exami- Media Highlights . 6 silience, was released on March 3, 2009, at a nation into the lives of Black girls living within New Releases . 6 press conference in New York City. This report the city of New York. The report was authored Spotlight: Dana Campbell Saylor . 7 is the first of its kind, placing Black girls at the by IWPR affiliated scholar Dr. Avis Jones-De- Gifts of Tribute . 7 center of analysis, to examine the unique cir- Weever, who also serves as Research Director Become an IWPR Member . 7 cumstances, challenges, and experiences that at the National Council for Negro Women, and impact their lives. By pairing an analysis of was commissioned by the (Cont’d on p. 3) WINTER/SPRING 2009 IWPR BOARD OF DIRECTORS President’s Message Martha Darling, Chair Lenora Cole, Vice Chair Members of Congress are asking both for Esmeralda O. Lyn, Treasurer new policy ideas and the latest research re- Cynthia Lloyd, Secretary sults to help them make the case for legisla- Bill Baer Mariam K. Chamberlain tion they already have in the hopper. Daisy Chin-Lor Everyone wants the definitive comprehensive Bob Corti overview of just how women are faring in It’s great to be back at IWPR, especially in Ellen Delany today’s economy. “We hear a lot about men’s Holly Fechner this very busy season! Talk about hitting the job loss,” said one Member to me recently, Irasema Garza ground running! The combination of a new Lynn Gitlitz “and we know this must mean women are administration and a congress with majorities David A. Goslin working even harder, but how can we prove of the same party means lots of legislative ac- Carol Greene it?” “Pay equity,” said one Senator recently, Yvonne Jackson tivity for us to be involved in through provid- “we’ve not heard enough about that lately but Susan Meade ing information. Plus the intense focus on the Emily van Agtmael we still don’t have it, what can we do?” Sheila W. Wellington economy and domestic policy issues (where our strength and experience lie) mean our ex- How and what indeed. This is the work of STAFF IWPR day in and day out, sorting through nitty- Heidi Hartmann, Ph.D., President pertise is in great demand. Reporters call us even more frequently needing comment. The gritty data to come up with answers to press- Research ing questions of how much, what, and when, Barbara Gault, Ph.D., Executive Director new administration is eager for our input—for and Vice President one example, women leaders met with the and also keeping track of the latest research, in- Ariane Hegewisch, Study Director Vice President’s staff to discuss women and cluding our own, that can answer the questions Erica Williams, Study Director green jobs prior to the Task Force session in of what to do about the problems identified. Jane Henrici, Ph.D., Consulting Study Director One of our studies coming to completion soon Cynthia Hess, Ph.D., Consulting Study Director Philadelphia at the end of February. That Kevin Miller, Ph.D., Research Associate meeting followed numerous opportunities will shed light on the effectiveness of consent Angela Carlberg, Research Assistant during the transition to comment on all as- decrees in employment discrimination cases Claudia Williams, Research Assistant pects of the stimulus package—not all our and which remedies work best. We’re tracking Robin Farabee-Siers, Mariam K. Chamberlain Fellow the employment and job loss of women in this Allison Helmuth, Mariam K. Chamberlain Fellow ideas bore fruit, but a few did! I was fortunate to be invited to the White recession monthly thanks to our leadership, and Administration the support of friends in Congress, in a fight a Ashley English, Special Assistant to the President House for the Fiscal Responsibility Summit Anne Kuh, Consulting Accountant (also referred to as the entitlement summit); few years ago to keep the “women worker” Janet Mullen, Bookkeeper at the end of the day, the President called on question in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Communications and Development me and I commented that the Social Security monthly survey of establishment payrolls. Ryan Koch, Director of Development break-out group developed a strong consen- We continue to conduct research that can Elisabeth Crum, Communications illuminate the need for legislation at the fed- & Outreach Coordinator sus that benefits would have to be increased Azundai Chatman, Communications for vulnerable groups in order to avoid in- eral and state levels and that will help count- & Development Fellow creases in poverty. I was pleased to be able to less women and men better combine work Newsletter Editors get that message out there and had actually and family—the proposed federal Healthy Elisabeth Crum leafleted all the summit participants as they Families Act and various state paid sick days Lara Hinz filed into the confab with a few revealing bills that will make it possible for workers to AFFILIATED RESEARCHERS facts about women. Quite a few of you saw get paid time off to take care of their own or Cynthia Deitch, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate this Q&A on C-SPAN. family members’ illnesses; the federal family Cynthia Harrison, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate leave insurance bill that will provide grants Avis Jones-DeWeever, Ph.D., Affiliated Scholar A less hard-working, more celebratory Sunhwa Lee, Ph.D., Senior Consulting Researcher event was the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter for states to begin paid family care leave pro- Lois Shaw, Ph.D., Senior Consulting Economist Fair Pay Restoration Act on January 29, a few grams, as well as various state-initiated ef- weeks before the summit. I had an opportu- forts to expand such programs; and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research expansion of the federal Family and Medical 1707 L Street NW, Suite 750 nity to meet the President and the First Lady, Leave Act to include leave for school meet- Washington, DC 20036 as well as Lilly Ledbetter. It was truly Tel: 202/785-5100 thrilling to be at the White House for that oc- ings and regular medical appointments and to Fax: 202/833-4362 casion. C-SPAN again shows me at the end cover workers employed by smaller firms. www.iwpr.org of the signing in discussion with the Presi- What did I do on my six-month sabbati- dent. Apparently quite a few IWPR support- cal? I surprised myself by doing remarkably IWPR, an independent, non-profit, scientific ers watch C-SPAN at all hours. Now that the little, at least by my standards. I thank every- research organization, works in affiliation White House has announced the formation of one at IWPR for helping me take that time with the graduate programs in public policy & women’s studies at the Council on Women and Girls, we look off, especially Dr.