Events

Past Events and Podcast Archive

Distorted Images, Uneven Policies: How the Media Shape Public Policy Outcomes

Part of the Opportunity Series

Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST
 Location:The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor. 295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012  Map
RSVP: http://wagner.nyu.edu/events/wocpn-04-26-2011
View Event Flyer
Download the Panelist Slides for: Andrew Grant-Thomas, Nicole Mason, Peter Parisi,

From the newly passed Arizona immigration law to TANF reauthorization, media representations of groups and individuals can have a powerful impact on public policy outcomes at the state and federal levels. These images and narratives that the media-at-large shape and disseminate bear tremendous weight on public opinion and how policymakers respond to some of the greatest challenges of our time. Support for social policies for low-income and marginalized communities can be especially sensitive to the language, images and tone employed by the media.

Join national experts as they discuss the media’s influence in shaping public perceptions of poverty, immigration and other pressing social issues. They will also explore the ways in which race, gender, and class intersect in media constructions of the poor as well as ways to use the media to generate support for inclusive public policies.

Featured Panelists:
Andrew Grant-Thomas, PhD, Deputy Director, Kirwan Institute
Janine Jackson, Program Director, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR)
Peter Parisi, PhD, Film and Media Department Program Head, Hunter College
Rinku Sen, President and Executive Director, Applied Research Center

Moderator:
Nicole Mason, PhD, Executive Director, Women of Color Policy Network

Forward Thinking in Critical Times: TANF, Safety Nets and a New Economy for All

Part of the Opportunity Series

Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
 Location:The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor. 295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012  Map
RSVP: http://wagner.nyu.edu/events/wocpn-04-13-2011
View Event Flyer
Listen to the Archived Event Podcast Here

Catching Up with Sandra Morgen and Anyania Muse - April 13, 2011 from Women of Color Policy Network on Vimeo.

April 13, 2011- Forward Thinking in Critical Times: TANF, Safety Nets and a New Economy for All from Women of Color Policy Network on Vimeo.

For the last 15 years, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF) has provided critical assistance to many families in need. Over this same period and in the wake of the most recent recession, poverty rates and unemployment rates have reached historic highs and families receiving public assistance continue to encounter multiple barriers to long-term economic security.

As the TANF approaches reauthorization in September 2011, there is an opportunity to think critically about how to link the program with national and state-level goals to alleviate poverty and re-build the middle-class through education, training and continued work supports. 

Join leading experts as they discuss ways to increase the effectiveness of TANF for low-income families and single women mothers; the challenges of linking TANF to anti-poverty efforts at the state and federal levels; and innovative public policies to help move families toward economic security.

Moderator:
Bich Ha Pham, Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Research, Federation of Protestant Welfare

Featured Panelists:

Lisalyn Jacobs, Vice President for Government Relations, Legal Momentum
Sandra Morgen, PhD, Vice Provost and Associate Dean, University of Oregon
Anyania Muse, National Policy Director of Women for Economic Justice, LIFETIME
Sharon Parrott, Counselor to the Secretary for Human Services Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Measuring Our Progress in Reducing U.S. Poverty: Challenges, Benchmarks, and Opportunities for Cross-Agency and Community Collaboration

Part of the Opportunity Series

Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
 Location:The Center for American Progress, 1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor, Washington DC, 20005 Map
Live Web Streaming (day of the event)
RSVP: http://www.americanprogressaction.org/events/2011/03/measuring.html/rsvp
View Event Flyer

To reach a goal of cutting poverty in half and moving over 20 million individuals out of poverty and toward economic security, national and state-level agencies and organizations will have to work collaboratively and identify promising public policies that are inclusive of the most vulnerable sectors of society.

The anticipated release of newly collected poverty data in the fall of 2011 provides an opportunity for advocates, researchers, and policymakers to consider how statistical tools, such as the Supplemental Income Poverty Measure, can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of poverty alleviation efforts nation-wide. In the process of developing shared anti-poverty goals, key stakeholders must also consider the role of current policies and programs in alleviating poverty and strategize ways to target those living 200 percent below the poverty line as well as those in extreme poverty.

 Join national experts as they discuss the challenges of developing poverty benchmarks and indicators for progress, how the new measure can be used in tandem with other statistics to assess shared goals, and how agencies and organizations can collaborate to effectively reduce poverty in the next decade.

Keynote Speaker:
Representative Jim McDermott, MD (D-WA)

Featured Panelists:

Mark Greenberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mark Levitan, PhD, Director of Poverty Research, New York City Center for Economic Opportunity
Sara Manzano-Diaz, Director of the Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
Margaret Simms, PhD, Director of the Low-Income Working Families Project, Urban Institute

Swimming Upstream: Race, Place and the Problem of Persistent Poverty in America

Part of the Opportunity Series

Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST
RSVP: http://wagner.nyu.edu/events/wocpn-02-23-2011
Location: The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor. 295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012 Map
View Event Flyer

February 23, 2011 Swimming Upstream Event from Women of Color Policy Network on Vimeo.

Nearly half of all children born into poverty will be persistently poor, meaning they will be poor for at least half of their childhoods. From birth, their socioeconomic status will determine, in part, the neighborhood in which they live, the food they eat, the education they receive and whether or not they will be poor as adults. Studies show that 20 percent of children born into poverty will spend a significant amount of their early adulthood in poverty as well.

As adults, the persistently poor receive less than 65 percent of their total income as wages, accumulate fewer assets and rely heavily on social safety nets to make ends meet. As the economy continues to shift toward high-skilled labor and cuts to social programs increase, there is a greater need to better understand the problem and challenges of overcoming persistent poverty in America.

Join panelists from across the country as we discuss current anti-poverty measures and public policies, structural and institutional barriers to economic security and mobility, and the impact of labor segmentation and chronic unemployment on persistent poverty.

Panelists:
Linda Harris, Director of Youth Policy, CLASP
Kate Kahan, Legislative Director, Center for Community Change
Bhash Mazumder, PhD, Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Ronald Mincy, PhD, Maurice V. Russell Professor of Social Policy, Columbia University School of Social Work
Kristin Morse, Director of Programs and Evaluation, New York City Center for Economic Opportunity

Moderator:
Darrick Hamilton, PhD, Associate Professor, Milano – The New School for Management and Urban Policy

Economic Security Webinar Series: Woman and Economic Recovery - Investing in Child Care

Date: Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 PM EST
RSVP: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/vt6pl25mbk9l0

Presented by the National Council for Research on Women.

Panelists:

Nicole Mason, Executive Director of the Women of Color Policy Network
Karen Schulman, Senior Policy Analyst with the National Women's Law Center

Moderator: 

Shyama Venkateswar, Director of Research and Programs at NCRW (moderator)

Nicole Mason and Karen Schulman will share research findings and advocacy efforts on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s funding allocations for child care and their impact on the economic security of women and their families.

The Impact of Women in Public Service

Date: Friday, December 10th
Time 4:00-6:30 PM
Location: Rudin Conference Room in the Puck Building, 295 Lafayette, 2nd Floor Map
Listen to the Event Podcast Here

This event will facilitate a conversation about the importance of recognizing gender differences in the field of public service and the unique perspectives and experiences women leaders bring to the field of non-profit and government work. The Impact of Women in Public Service is the signature event of the Wagner Women's Caucus.

The event will begin with a keynote address from NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Chair of the Women's Issues Committee.

The keynote address will be followed by a panel discussion with:

Moderator:
Nicole Mason, Executive Director of NYU Wagner's Women of Color Policy Network

Panelists:

Saroya Friedman-Gonzalez, Vice President for New York City Community-Based Programs and Opportunity NYC, Seedco
Margaret DiZerega, Director of the Family Justice Programs at the Vera Institute of Justice
Beatrice Frey, Communications Officer for Production, Branding and Social Media, UNIFEM

Each panelist will address the importance of focusing on women when discussing issues relevant to their work, as well as the unique perspective women bring to their field. After the panel, the WWC will host a small reception.

National Webinar on the Impact and Implementation of Paid Sick Leave Legislation

Part of the Opportunity Series
Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm EST
View and Listen to the Webinar Podcast Here

Brandy Davis, Policy Coordinator, Labor Project for Working Families
Jose Oliva, National Policy Coordinator, Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United

Quality Jobs in a New Economy: Paid Sick Leave and Communities of Color

Part of the Opportunity Series

Date: Monday, December 6, 2010
Time: 6:30- 8:30pm
Location: The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor.
295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012 Map
Listen to the Event Podcast Here

Forty years ago, low-wage workers could depend on unions to help ensure that they received benefits and wages that are essential to a quality job. In the mid-1950s, 35 percent of all employees on private payrolls were union members; today only 7.2 percent of private sector workers belong to a union. The marked decline in union membership over time has meant that many workers are left to negotiate benefits and fair wages on their own.

Today, there are 30 million workers employed in low-wage jobs with minimal benefits, earning less than $9.00 per hour. And only about a third of workers in the lowest wage percentile receive paid sick leave.

Join leading experts from across the country as they discuss the need for paid sick leave for low-income communities and communities of color. The roundtable will also address the impact of work support measures on the economic security of low-wage workers and communities of color and propose policy recommendations and strategies for ensuring access to quality jobs.

To view the event invitation, click here.

Discussants:
Heather Boushey, PhD, Senior Economist, Center for American Progress
Brandy Davis, Policy Coordinator, California Labor Project for Working Families
Kevin Miller, PhD, Senior Research Associate, Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Nancy Rankin, Senior Fellow, A Better Balance
Portia Wu, Vice President, National Partnership for Women and Families
Amy Traub, Director of Research, Drum Major Institute

NYU-Wagner Women of Color Students Dinner

Date: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: COLORS Restaurant
417 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003
RSVP

Meet the staff of the Women of Color Policy Network at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Learn about our work and research, and network with other dynamic Wagner students.

Space is limited. RSVP is required for attendance. The cost is free . Deadline to RSVP is December 2, 2010.*

* Cost for Wagner Women of Color Alumni to attend is $20.00

COLORS is owned collectively by its employees, many of whom are former workers from Windows on the World, the legendary restaurant located atop the World Trade Center. COLORS serves global cuisine fused with classic American-style fare and is dedicated in equal parts to excellence in food quality, service and employee welfare. The eclectic menu pays homage to the native lands of the more than 50 owner-workers; a nod to the rich history of the diverse team and a culinary treat to diners.

November 2010

National Webinar on Child Care Subsidies in the States
Part of the Opportunity Series
Date: November 10, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm PST

Download the Webinar Slides for Helen Blank and Grace Reef

Helen Blank, Director of Leadership and Public Policy, National Women’s Law Center
Grace Reef, Chief of Policy and Evaluation, National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

Access to safe, reliable, quality child care is out of reach for many working and low-income families with young children. Quality child care is a critical support for working parents, yet it remains unaffordable for many families in America, particularly for low-income single mothers and communities of color.

 Building upon the discussion initiated in the roundtable “Carrying the Load: The Impact of Child Care Subsidy Policies on the Economic Security of Women of Color,” this national webinar examines the ways that state child care assistance policies leave families and child care providers behind. In addition to highlighting barriers to accessing quality child care, such as eligibility restrictions and burdensome copayment requirements, the webinar panelists will provide an overview of recent funding cuts mean for families.

Election Trends: Will More Women Candidates Lead to More Women in Office?
Date: November 8, 2010
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Location: 220 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor | New York, NY 10001

Demos, the Women of Color Policy Network at NYU Wagner, Lake Research Partners, the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee, the National Council for Research on Women, and the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University invite you to a forum to discuss the 2010 results and what they mean. Experts on women's leadership and election analysis will come together to examine trends in the electoral process, who is getting elected and who isn't, the strategies that are successful, the role of tea party candidates and women of color, where we are making progress toward a critical mass of women in elected office, and where we are still behind.

Carrying the Load: The Impact of Child Care Subsidy Policies on the Economic Security of Women of Color
Part of the Opportunity Series
Date: November 2, 2010
Time: 6:30- 8:30 pm
Location: The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor.
295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012 Map

Listen to the Event Podcast Here

Access to safe, reliable, quality child care is out of reach for many working and low-income families with young children. Despite support from states, many families still pay substantial out-of-pocket costs for quality care. In Illinois, for example, subsidized families with a 4-year old in center-based care were responsible for paying $4,911 - nearly twenty percent of the household income for Black and Latino single mothers.

 In a tough economy, single women mothers and families will need increased support to secure and maintain employment or attend and complete education programs. Although quality child care is a critical support for working parents, it remains unaffordable for many families in America, particularly for low-income single mothers and communities of color. In 2009, child care costs in six states accounted for at least half of the national household income for Black and Latino single mothers.

This panel with leading experts will examine the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on subsidy funding and availability, highlight the importance of child care subsidies for working, low-income communities, and strategize policy solutions to enhance child care subsidy experiences for women of color and their families.

Discussants:
Gina Adams, Senior Fellow, Urban Institute
J. Lee Kreader, PhD, Director of Research Connections, National Center for Children in Poverty
Benita Miller, Executive Director, Brooklyn Young Mother’s Collective
Chanelle Pearson, Research Associate, Women of Color Policy Network, NYU Wagner
Hannah Matthews, Senior Policy Analyst, CLASP, Moderator

October 2010

Exploring Wagner's Research Institutes: Wagner Policy Alliance Brown Bag Discussion with the Research Center for Leadership and Teaching in Action and the Women of Color Policy Network
Hosted by Wagner Policy Alliance (WPA)

Date: October 19, 2010 12:00pm-2:00pm
Location: The Puck Building, Jersey Conference Room, 3040
295 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012-9604

This brown bag discussion will highlight the work of two of Wagner's research institutes - the Research Center for Leadership in Action (RCLA) & the Women of Color Policy Network (WOCPN). We will learn more about the work of these institutes from the Faculty Director of RCLA, Prof. Sonia Ospina & from the Executive Director of the WOCPN, Dr. C. Nicole Mason. This brown bag will also feature presentations by two students, Chanelle Pearson and Becky Rafter, who intern at these institutes will discuss their work. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Economic Security Conference - Reinvesting in Women and Families: Developing an Economy for the Future
Part of the Opportunity Series

Date: Friday, October 8, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 pm
Location: The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor.
295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012

This economic summit, co-sponsored by the National Council for Research on Women, Ms. Foundation, New York Women’s Foundation, Women’s Funding Network, and the Silver Century Foundation addressed the impact of the economic crisis and economic recovery efforts on low-income women, especially women of color, their families, and other vulnerable communities such as immigrants and LGBTQ people, across generations.

The convening brought together some 50 leaders and experts in research, advocacy, policymaking, philanthropy, and business to share knowledge on the possibilities and challenges of creating programs focused on economic security, social supports, education, healthcare, and safety for target populations; develop models of measuring the success of national, state-level, and community programs aimed at these groups; and identify gaps in knowledge needed to chart and advance innovative strategies and policy recommendations for creating pathways to economic security for low-income women and their families.

More Than a Paycheck: A New Perspective on Single Women Mothers and the Wealth Gap
Part of the Opportunity Series

Date: Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor.
295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012

Listen to the Event Podcast here

Over the last twenty years, social supports for single women mothers have declined significantly. The passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, coupled with continued cuts in funding for federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to low-income families, has made it nearly impossible for single women mothers to become economically secure or to build wealth.

Today, single women mothers possess only 4 percent of the wealth of single fathers and Black and Latino single mothers have a median wealth of zero.

 Join us for the release of At Rope’s End: Single Women Mothers, Wealth and Asset Accumulation in the U.S. and a moderated conversation between Mariko Chang, PhD, author of the newly released book Short Changed: Why Women have Less Wealth and What Can Be Done About It and Ida Rademacher, PhD, Director of Research for the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) in Washington D.C.

March 2010

The Future of Education in America: The Impact of Race and Class on Educational Achievement, Opportunity and Access in the United States.

Nearly a decade after the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, the federal legislation that promised reform and accountability for the American education system, many Urban cities continue to be plagued by failing schools, high dropout rates and poor performance across the board. This three-part series sponsored by the Network will explore what it will really take to reform the public education system in America.

PART I: BMCC Breakfast Briefing: Young Women of Color and Success in Community College Date
PART II: On Unequal Ground: Communities of Color, Educational Disparities and Closing the Achievement Gap in Urban Cities This panel of leading experts will explore the impact of race and socioeconomic status on educational achievement and outcomes. Panelists will also discuss historic barriers and challenges to success and access and strategies for alleviating educational disparities.

Discussants:
Pedro Noguera-PhD- Professor of Teaching and Learning, NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human
Charles Highsmith- Chief Executive Officer, Hardy Williams Academy Charter School

Amoretta Morris- Director of Student Attendance, Office of Youth Engagement, District of Columbia Public SchoolsChi Tschang- Assistant Superintendent, Achievement First

Date: March 22, 2010
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor.
295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012

PART III: Charting Equity: Charter Schools and the Future of Public Schooling in America

This panel will map the growth of the Charter school movement in the United States; explore the impact of Charter schools on communities and the public education system; discuss challenges schools face in providing adequate resources and offering competitive salaries on a limited budget and probe whether or not they are the answer to reform a failing system.

Moderated by: Michael Duffy, Director of the Charter School Office for the New York City Department of Education
Other Confirmed Panelists:
Natasha Campbell- Founder/Executive Director, Summit Academy Charter School
Aretha Miller- Senior Director, School Support, New York City Charter School Center
Leslie Redwine- Vice President of External Relations, Achievement First
Brittiny Sessions- Founding Board Chair of the Brooklyn Scholars Charter School
Date: March 31, 2010
Time: 6:30- 8:30pm
Location: The Puck Building, Rudin Family Room, 2nd Floor.
295 Lafayette Street. New York, NY 10012

February 2010

TANF Reauthorization: The Future of TANF and Social Safety Nets in America

Join us for a moderated discussion between Margaret Simms, Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute and Avis Jones-Deweever of NCNW's Research, Public Policy and Information Center to explore the goals and priorities for reauthorization and what must be done to improve the safety net for women and families.

Date: February 16, 2010
Time: 6:00- 8:00pm
Location: The Graduate Center, City University of new York
365 Fifth Avenue. New York, NY

December 2009

Wagner Students of Color Dinner

Meet the staff of the Women of Color Policy Network, learn about our work and research, and network with other dynamic Wagner students.

Date: December 8, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: COLORS Restaurant, 417 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003.

COLORS is owned collectively by its employees, many of whom are former workers from Windows on the World, the legendary restaurant located atop the World Trade Center. COLORS serves global cuisine fused with classic American-style fare and is dedicated in equal parts to excellence in food quality, service and employee welfare. The eclectic menu pays homage to the native lands of the more than 50 owner-workers; a nod to the rich history of the diverse team and a culinary treat to diners.

RSVP: http://wagner.nyu.edu/events/wocpn-12-08-2009
(RSVP by November 21st)

*Cost
Wagner Students: FREE
Wagner Alumni: Cost is $20.

November 2009

High Stakes: Healthcare Reform and Communities of Color
People of color and low-income individuals are over-represented among those without health insurance. It is estimated that 19 percent of African-Americans and 30 percent of Latinos are without health insurance. Healthcare reform is issue number one for the Administration. And it should be a priority for communities of color as well. Join us for this provocative town hall meeting with leading experts and community leaders as we discuss the current proposals on the table and the impact they will have on communities of color, strategies for creating inclusive healthcare reform and how current proposals can begin to alleviate health disparities in low-income communities.

Discussants:
Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Cara James, Ph.d - Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Eesha Pandit - The MergerWatch Project
Maya Wiley - Center for Social Inclusion
Date: November 4, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: Rudin Forum, Puck Building, 2nd Floor
295 Lafayette Street

October 2009

Setting the Agenda: The Impact of Women in Public ServiceThis event, cosponsored by the Wagner Women's Caucus, the International Public Service Association, the Urban Planning Student Association, and Global Health Alliance, will facilitate a conversation about the importance of recognizing gender differences in the field of public service and the unique perspectives and experiences women leaders bring to the friend of non-profit and government work. This event will begin with a keynote address from Marie Wilson, Founder and President of the White House Project. Ms. White will discuss the importance of encouraging women to take on leadership positions in the public sector. Then there will be a panel discussion featuring Khushbu Srivastava, Program Officer, Asia for the International Women's Health Coalition, Cheryl Huber, Research and Planning Director for the National Council for Research on Women. Each panelist will address the importance of focusing on women in particular when discussing issues relevant to their particular field, as well as the unique perspective women bring to that field.

Moderated by: C. Nicole Mason, Ph.D, Executive Director, Women Of Color Policy Network, NYU WagnerKeynote: Marie Wilson, President, The White House Project
Discussant:
Khushbu Srivastava, International Women's Health CoalitionCheryl Huber, National Council for Research on Women
Date: October 16, 2009
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm

3rd Annual Women of Color Conference

The conference will bring together feminist activist leaders from communities of color around the country. Student leaders will learn about various social justice issues and come together as women of color and allies to strategize for real sociopolitical change as part of a larger movement for justice and equality. By focusing on advocacy and activism to create political change, the 3rd Annual Women of Color Conference will help to unite all young women to take action in the fight for equality.

Sponsored by the Feminist Majority Foundation partnered with Spelman College, Bennett College for Women and The Women of Color Policy Network, NYU Wagner
Date: October 9-10, 2009
Location: Spelman College
350 Spelman Lane, SW Atlanta, GA 30314

Leadership Development and Beyond: Building the Power of Young Women and Trans Youth of Color

In this two-day symposium, participants will explore how to best support up-and-coming social justice leaders in the U.S. We will identify what this leadership looks like now, what forms it is likely to take in the future, and what the opportunities are to have the biggest impact on building the power of emerging leaders. Participants will share experiences, learn about best practices, and contribute to the growing body of work around the leadership development of Young Women and Trans Youth of Color.
Date: October 5-6, 2009
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Murphy Student Lounge, Puck Building, 2nd Floor
295 Lafayette Street

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