The Gloria Awards happened last night in NYC. I could not attend. But, I did get to interview the honorees. Here is one reply, from a woman who is committed to helping our domestic workers (mostly women) be recognized and respected.

Yvonne: What role do the workers themselves play in "raising the level of respect" for their work? Also, please share your insights into how effective women can be in creating their own destiny.

Ai-jen: Domestic workers are leading the fight for respect, recognition and basic labor standards both here in New York and nationally. Domestic Workers United is led by a Steering Committee of domestic workers, who have years of experience doing the work, have been actively involved in the organizing work and have shown a committment to helping to guide the organization.

With this leadership, DWU has graduated over 400 workers from our Nanny Training Program that combines job skills such as infant/child CPR training, with leadership skills such as negotiation, and peer advocacy. Over 50 domestic workers have graduated from our Leadership Training Program, which provides a space for sharing and learning from one another and from history about how change in society happens.

Domestic workers have organized together for justice for other domestic workers who have suffered abuse and won over $300,000 in unpaid wages.

These programs, combined wtih the experiences of engaging and speaking to different audiences about the struggle of domestic workers, and the actual work of organizing--talking to other domestic workers, inviting them to meetings and working together to change the system--are the engine that drives the process of raising the level of respect for the work - and it's workers themselves who are carrying it all out.

We believe that domestic workers themselves are the ones who know best how to change the industry for the better because of their experiences; they are the key to change. Much of our work is about creating the conditions and providing the support that that process to unfold. To join or support, please contact us via email or call (718) 220-7391 x 11.