Accelerate Action: Advocacy for Women’s Economic Empowerment

A Message from Executive Director Tricia Allen

At Together We Bake, every day is an opportunity to uplift women who are striving for economic independence. But on International Women’s Day, we pause to reflect on the broader movement—how we, as a community, can accelerate action to remove the systemic barriers that stand in the way of women seeking meaningful employment.

For many of the women we serve, the challenges are not just about finding a job. It’s about overcoming a system that too often locks doors rather than opens them. Whether it’s a history of incarceration, gaps in employment due to caregiving responsibilities, or the lasting impact of trauma, these barriers limit access to economic security and independence.

Advocacy: The Key to Meaningful Change

While job training and skill development are crucial, true change requires advocacy at every level—from policy reform to community-driven solutions that remove systemic obstacles to employment.

• Fair Chance Hiring Practices – Women reentering the workforce after incarceration face extreme hiring discrimination. Advocacy for “Ban the Box” policies ensures they are considered for jobs based on their skills, not their past.
• Access to Childcare & Transportation – Many women cannot sustain employment without reliable childcare and transportation. Advocating for employer-supported solutions and policy changes makes work more accessible.
• Equitable Wages & Career Growth – Women, especially women of color, are overrepresented in low-wage jobs with little room for advancement. Pushing for livable wages and career pathways ensures work leads to financial security, not just survival. 

How You Can Accelerate Action

Raise Awareness – Share stories of women overcoming barriers and advocate for systemic change in your workplace and community.

Support Skill Based Hiring – Encourage businesses to adopt hiring policies that create opportunities for women with nontraditional career paths and demonstratable skills.

Invest in Women’s Futures – Donate, mentor, or partner with Together We Bake as we provide holistic, trauma-informed workforce training.

Together, We Build a Future Without Barriers

On International Women’s Day, let’s do more than celebrate progress—let’s push for change. Every woman deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful career, provide for her family, and shape her own future. By advocating for policies and practices that remove systemic barriers, we ensure that opportunity is accessible to all.

Join us in accelerating action. Together, we bake—and together, we break barriers.

-Tricia Allen, Executive Director