Faces In The Movement: A Discussion with 9to5’s Co-Presidents

There are a host of women driving meaningful change. We don’t always see them but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist or that their work isn’t impactful. Coinciding with Women’s History Month, we are interviewing and profiling women who are advancing change.

In this edition of Faces in the Movement, a virtual series to highlight people impacting change, we caught up with Ashley Panelli and Mica Whitfield to learn about their work and advocacy with 9to5—a grassroots power-building organization fighting for economic justice for women and nonbinary people of color. Our discussion has been edited for clarity. We have also used initials to describe individual answers.

What do you want women to know about 9to5?

MW: Our organization is an expression of a national movement for women and nonbinary people of color. We take an intersectional, multi-issue approach—advocating alongside Black and brown women and nonbinary people on a host of issues ranging from housing, child care accessibility and affordability, gender justice, and workers’ rights. While many people connect us with the film and documentary about our work, 9to5 is a movement for women who want more and are demanding more for themselves, their communities and future generations.

We advocate for issues such as paid leave, child care, voting rights, and climate justice. We care about every issue that impacts the lives of women and nonbinary folks. This work can vary by community. For instance, in Southwest Georgia, we work on utility justice. In some parts of Southwest Georgia, the utility bills can be as high as rent. This places an added burden on women who are already struggling to make ends meet.

What is special about the organization?

AP: We are an organizing entity. We organize to win the things that matter most to us, our families and our communities. This is critical because you cannot have lasting change without sustained organizing. And few entities organize as efficiently and expertly as 9to5. Some see organizing as an optional activity alongside the real work of policy. This is not the case. You cannot enjoy any lasting victory without relentless and people-powered organizing.

Why is this work important?

AP: Women often feel they must take on the world alone. We want women everywhere to know that we’re still around, and we’re still doing the work. Not only are we still around, but we’ve evolved to better meet the needs of women, their families, and their communities.

It’s been decades since the original film, 9to5:The Story of a Movement, was released. What has changed since that time?

MW: Many people connect us solely with the film or documentary 9to5. Though we have evolved our commitment to fighting for workers’ rights, advancing gender, racial, and economic justice remains strong. We organize every day, in our communities and with our members to create a world that sees and honors women. As a member-based organization, we respond to the issues that our members raise as important, from climate and housing justice, to affordable and accessible child care, to worker’s rights, and building power in communities. I think one of the biggest points of evolution is our clarity around the connection between gender justice and racial justice. A person cannot be free if they are in threat of gender-based violence, or discrimination based on their gender or race.

How are you honoring Women’s History or Black Women’s History?

MW: Many of the victories and liberties that we enjoy today have come due to the organizing of Black and brown women. From child labor laws to workers’ rights, to the civil rights movement, women have always been architects of change. We have always spotted injustice and fueled resistance to it. But not all women; it has been women who have acknowledged that our fates are inexplicably tied. It has been women who had the audacity to hope and to resist. So, we’re honoring these women by telling their stories, by learning with them, and by platforming them.

AP: We are also training women to follow in their footsteps. Some of the ways we’re doing this is by hosting workshops that prepare women to negotiate higher wages and benefits and know their rights in the workplace. We also coach women around the art and efficacy of community organizing as a tool for change.

Where is the organization active?

AP: We organize nationwide with chapters on the ground in in Wisconsin, Georgia and Colorado.

Are you open to women outside of these areas?

MW: Yes, and some of our members do span outside of these states. Many of them contribute to the movement and larger work through donations and digital actions

How can readers support your work?

MW: We appreciate readers signing up for our email list. We also appreciate donations of any amount.

 Jayla Smith is a media relations associate at Spotlight PR.

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