Today, the GA senate voted in favor of #SB456 and we are now looking to have the GA House support this as well. While the Women’s Health Protection Act didn’t pass in the senate yesterday we are hopeful that Georgia will make the right decision.These decisions deprive low income women , disabled women and Black women, femmes and girls of access to abortion and critical reproductive medical care. The fight for Women’s rights has always been on the table and we will not back down! Women Engaged is asking for all individuals to contact their Representatives and demand they stand for #ReproHealth. We must vote NO on this bill to protect the lives of Women’s Health. The fight is not over, it's just beginning!”

- Malika Redmond, CEO & CoFounder, Women Engaged

“In the past few years, America has assaulted women’s right to choose, and today, Congress has chosen to restrict comprehensive protection for women’s reproductive rights. We are disappointed the Women’s Health Protection Act didn’t pass in the Senate today, leaving many states and by extension, women across the country, vulnerable to abortion bans, especially as Roe v. Wade continues to lie in the balance. These decisions deprive poor women and Black women of access to abortion and critical reproductive medical care. As aggressive abortion measures hang in the balance with a conservative-leaning Supreme Court, the future of women’s bodily autonomy and agency are under unprecedented threat. Women Engaged will continue to fight for women’s rights to safe access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare services.”

- Malika Redmond, CEO & CoFounder, Women Engaged

ATLANTA, GA - The week of December 6th, Women Engaged (WE) will celebrate its seven-year anniversary with a week-long virtual and in-person experience for donors, members, activists, partners, and community members. This seven-year celebration is being held to honor the transformative work WE have done within voter engagement, leadership development, and reproductive justice. WE will also present its new, exciting, and innovative plans for the future.

After Four Years of Leadership, Malika Redmond Steps Down as First Board Chair of ProGeorgia

ATLANTA, GA –  After four years of service as the twice elected board Chair of the ProGeorgia Civic Engagement Table, Malika Redmond is stepping down to cheer on new board leadership. 

Redmond spent her tenure guiding the organization through major transition and sizable growth. In her first term, she facilitated executive leadership change and the hiring of ProGeorgia’s first woman of color executive director, who continues to bring a courageous vision and innovative ideas to the coalition. In her second term, she provided steadfast management to the executive director, board colleagues, and coalition partners as ProGeorgia expanded programmatic outreach, added partners across the state, and dramatically increased resources to women of color led organizations — too often underfunded for doing the same work as their white and, or male counterparts. 

This work built the foundation for the historic results of the 2020 Presidential and January 5th runoff elections during a year of multiple crises and a pandemic sweeping the nation. Women Engaged looks forward to continuing their work alongside ProGeorgia as one of the over 30 organizations that make up the table. 

Executive Director of ProGeorgia, Tamieka Atkins, released the following statement:  

“Malika Redmond’s leadership, innovation, and guidance have been integral to ProGeorgia’s success over the last four years. The huge strides made in voter engagement and turnout in the 2020 Presidential election and January 5th runoff are incredible examples of the impact of Malika’s leadership in Georgia. Power is something that is more powerful when shared, and in stepping down Malika continues to exemplify progressive leadership by allowing space for the next generation to take up the mantle. We are excited to see what amazing work she does next.”

CEO and Executive Director of Women Engaged, Malika Redmond, MA, said: 

“Thank you to the members of ProGeorgia for trusting in my leadership and electing me twice to serve as your board Chair. I feel confident leaving the future of ProGeorgia in the capable hands of the next generation of leaders, and look forward to seeing what incredible progress they make next. I am excited to continue building on what I’ve accomplished at ProGeorgia, and furthering the work I’ve done throughout my career on creating an inclusive and representative democracy that celebrates the leadership of Black women, femmes, and girls and centers all marginalized voices.”

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Women Engaged’s work centers on ensuring Black dignity and bodily integrity in an inclusive democracy. We are continuing to grow our dynamic team!  To learn more about open positions at WE and how to apply, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/3mAiPd5"  

Learn more at: http://blog.rockwoodleadership.org/2016-fellowship-for-leaders-in-reproductive-health-rights-and-justice-fellows-announced/

In April of this year, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and White House senior advisor and Chair of White House Council on Women and Girls, Valerie Jarrett, announced the launch of their paid leave advocacy tour, "Lead On Leave: Empowering Working Families Across America." The goal for the tour was to promote and advocate for paid leave policies in work environments across the nation, and to educate the public on how these policies can positively affect our economy. The tour kicked off in the city of Seattle but soon made its way to Atlanta. There to address a room full of non-profit and for profit organizations, community leaders, employers and employees of various businesses in Atlanta were Mayor Kasim Reed and Valerie Jarrett. Jane Smith, the Executive Director of LEADS at Spelman College, joined the armchair conversation as the moderator.

On the 95th anniversary of the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, local nonprofits collaborate to have a multi-generational conversation about Black women and the democratic process.

ATLANTA, GA – This Wednesday, several nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and academics will gather to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, when some American women won the right to vote.  Though great strides have been made towards full equality for women, particularly Black women, there is still a long way to go; participating groups will use this public event as an opportunity to shed light on some of the largest, most pressing issues faced by Georgia women as voters and as advocates.