Oregon Women Labor Leaders (OWLL) works to liberate women from historical and structural barriers that have actively excluded them from leadership in the labor movement. We fight to ensure that women in the workers’ rights movement – including women of color; women of all religious faiths, industries, political affiliation, economic backgrounds and abilities; lesbian, transgender and queer women; and women of different immigration status – have the right to self-determination in their workplace and in their communities. OWLL will work to strengthen and transform the labor movement by promoting women’s leadership.

As members and allies of OWLL, we will:

1. Be intentional about supporting the organizing work of women across industries and causes, including those fighting for justice and equality around race, gender, ability and immigration status.
2. Recruit and support women to serve as staff and elected leaders in unions.
3. Mentor staff and member activists and provide opportunities for women to demonstrate leadership.
4. Recognize the efforts and accomplishments of women.
5. Integrate provisions into policy advocacy and contract negotiations that promote paid family leave, provision of child care, and flexible work schedules.
6. Look for ways to collaborate across organizations and share work products and other resources that facilitate women’s leadership.
7. Pay attention to the dynamics in meetings, trainings and elsewhere in our organizations; and immediately address inappropriate comments, and interrupt oppressive behavior.
8. Be a sounding board for women in our organizations and in the movement.
9. Recognize that allies* are important in this work of building women’s leadership.

*Allies pledge to help overcome barriers to perceiving gender bias. They recognize the unfair treatment of women and will risk their own privilege to elevate women as leaders in the labor movement.