During the month of March, we are asked to recognize and reflect on the thousands of ways women in our communities have provided healing and promoted hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud of the women and young moms who have stepped up in amazing ways to support themselves and their families. We also want to acknowledge the disproportionate, unpaid labor the pandemic has placed on women – like homeschooling children and caring for sick relatives (Source).
To honor all of the women and young moms who have inspired us with their grit and courage over the last three years, we’ve asked the New Moms community to share how they have experienced “women providing healing and promoting hope” during the pandemic. In celebration of Women’s History Month, here are their stories…
Click on the images of New Moms’ participants and staff members below to expand them and click on their names in the accordion below to read their full reflections.
SHANIKA | HOUSING PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
ANNE SCHULZ | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
YASMINE | HOUSING PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
LIZVETH MENDEZ-WITT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
ANGEL | JOB TRAINING PARTICIPANT
LORENA SAZ | FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST
JYLISA | JOB TRAINING PARTICIPANT
CECE TOVAR-MURRAY | SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST
AALIYAH | JOB TRAINING PARTICIPANT
CANDYCE CABRAL | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER
Women are providing healing and promoting hope every day at New Moms and our social enterprise, Bright Endeavors. Show your support by purchasing candles from Bright Endeavors or donating to New Moms.
Resources to learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting women:
- Chicago Foundation for Women
- Caregiving in Crisis: Gender inequality in paid and unpaid work during COVID-19 – Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
- COVID-19 and gender equality: Countering the regressive effects – McKinsey & Company
- The Shadow Pandemic: How The Covid-19 Crisis Is Exacerbating Gender Inequality – United Nations Foundation
Other resources:
- International Women’s Day (March 8, 2022)
- Women’s History Month (March 2022)