CWEALF has advanced women’s rights and opportunities in Connecticut since 1973. CWEALF is a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates for and empowers women and girls in Connecticut, especially those who are under-resourced or marginalized. We work to create an equitable society where women and girls thrive.
During its first decade, CWEALF focused on impact litigation, participating in cases involving equal pay, equal credit and sex discrimination. Throughout the years, CWEALF also played a significant role in policy victories such as marriage equality, discrimination protections based on gender identity, birth control access, earned sick days, and protections for survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
CWEALF uses intersectional strategies to address gender inequality and advance the rights, opportunities, and status of women and girls through:
LEGAL INFORMATION AND ACCESS
CWEALF helps bridge the justice gap by providing information about the legal rights of women and girls, as well as connecting them with resources and providing individual support as they navigate the justice system.
PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY
CWEALF protects and promotes the rights of women and girls by identifying and articulating the challenges they face and elevating their interests and voices through public policy and advocacy.
ADVANCEMENT AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES
CWEALF provides a platform for women’s voices and issues, and promotes advancement opportunities for women and girls to reach their potential in school, at work, in the home, and in the community.
MISSION
CWEALF advocates for and empowers women and girls in Connecticut, especially those who are underserved or marginalized. We work to create an equitable society where women and girls thrive.
VISION
CWEALF envisions a world where gender equity is realized, differences are embraced, and women and girls thrive. In this world, women and girls build strong, supportive networks; experience widespread opportunities for advancement and fulfillment; command the resources to advocate for themselves as well as for others; and are empowered to lead and be agents of change.
VALUES
EMPOWERMENT:
We are committed to helping women and girls access the tools, information, legal protections and opportunities to determine their own futures.
EMPATHY:
Our work is driven by the needs, concerns and opinions of the women and girls we represent.
INTERSECTIONALITY:
We understand that complex and multi-layered forms of discrimination combine, overlap, and intersect—especially in the experiences of marginalized people or groups. We commit to an intersectional approach that is inclusive of the needs of all women, addressing discrimination in all its forms.
EQUITY:
We recognize that the condition of equality cannot be achieved by treating everyone equally because not everyone starts at the same place or needs the same amount of help to attain the same goal. We believe in providing women and girls what they need to be successful.
RESPECT:
We will treat our clients, partners, constituents, funders and all other stakeholders with respect: honoring and learning from their ideas and perspectives, communicating honestly and transparently, and valuing everyone’s contribution to our work.
COLLABORATION:
We pledge to be a strong, collaborative, and accountable partner: identifying our best and highest use in each relationship, fostering inclusivity and diversity of opinion, and working towards meaningful and measurable results.