WE Innovate Labor Leadership

https://www.willempower.org/2026/04/09/apprentice-spotlight-lizzy-prichard/

WILL Empower Apprentices like Lizzy Prichard are making change across the country.

Lizzy applied to be an apprentice with WILL Empower to get more involved in the labor movement. She was placed with OPEIU local 792, where she has since transitioned into a full-time organizer role. Prichard organized the first coffee shops for OPEIU by using her experience at Starbucks to help unionize 7 Rising Star Coffee Roasters locations across Cleveland, Ohio.

Applications are now open for the 2026 class of WILL Empower apprentices, and the deadline for applications is April 10th. We encourage you to apply at WILLEmpower.org

*UPCOMING DEADLINE, 4/10!*

Are you ready to take the jump into social justice and workers' rights? Apply to be a WILL Empower Apprentice! Learn more here: https://www.willempower.org/apprentices/

🔜DEADLINE APPROACHING!
You have until 4/10 to apply to the WILL Empower Apprenticeship program
Take your first step into the world of social justice and worker justice

Learn more at the link

Is your union or organization interested in hosting an apprentice? Learn more at the link -

🔜DEADLINE APPROACHING! WILL Empower Apprenticeships

The 2026 Apprenticeship cycle is OPEN! It's time to take your step into labor rights and worker justice with WILL Empower. Whether you are interested in being an apprentice or hosting one our talented applicants, sign up for our virtual info session to learn more.

Check out our website for more information! https://www.willempower.org/2026/02/27/weinfosession/

What do WILL Empower Apprentices REALLY do? 🤔 Check out Miranda Xiong! Miranda is currently organizing with the Charleston Alliance for Fair Employment💥. Miranda loves the community-building opportunities her job provides, as well as the constant support she receives from those with similar beliefs who work with and around her.⁠ ✊️⁠
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👉️Check us out online to learn more and find out how you can apply for our 2026 cycle!! 🖱️ https://www.willempower.org/2026/02/25/will-empower-apprentice-spotlight-miranda-xiong/

Check out our year wrap-up on Willempower.org

Congratulations to Stacy Davis Gates, recipient of the 2025 WILL Empower Nannie Helen Burroughs Courageous Leadership Award! 🎉🔥

Stacy Davis Gates is President of the Chicago Teachers Union and newly elected President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

"President Gates, I believe if Burroughs was alive today you two would be sister comrades in the labor movement. You would have been a dream come true to her." - Dr. Danielle T. Phillips-Cunningham (Associate Professor, Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations - SMLR)

Nannie Helen Burroughs, the pioneering Black American educator and civil rights leader, established the National Training School for Women and Girls (NTS) in Washington, DC. The NTS proved to be a revolutionary labor and educational initiative that redefined household employment as a profession where social justice for the Black community could be achieved. More information about Nannie Helen Burroughs can be found in Dr. Danielle T. Phillips-Cunningham's book on Burroughs, linked here: https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Nannie-Helen-Burroughs

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2025 Edna Berger Young Courageous Leader Award - Claudia Quiñones Torrico, Organizing Director at United We Dream 🎉🎉

Claudia has been described as "the courageous fire of the movement" and we could not agree more! Her nominator told us, "Claudia is constantly and relentlessly organizing to connect, uplift, and empower her community, including people of all backgrounds. She embodies the courage, wisdom, and love that's needed... our community, country, and world is a better place because of Claudia."

Thank you Claudia for your bold, courageous work to advance justice for all people. You embody the spirit of Edna Berger and we are proud to have you as this year's recipient! 🔥🎉

We have more apprentices staring their new positions today!

Welcome and congratulations to Nina Tran! Nina Tran will be working with Power Switch Action doing communications!

Happening TODAY at 6pm ET! 📘 REGISTER: bit.ly/1021NW

Join Dr. Naomi R Williams in a discussion of their new book A Blueprint for Worker Solidarity on October 21st at 6pm ET!

This virtual event is co-hosted by Center for Innovation in Worker Organization (CIWO) and Rutgers LEARN at Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations - SMLR

📘 REGISTER: bit.ly/1021NW

Join Dr. Naomi R Williams in a discussion of their new book A Blueprint for Worker Solidarity on October 21st at 6pm ET!

This virtual event is co-hosted by Center for Innovation in Worker Organization (CIWO) and Rutgers LEARN at Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations - SMLR

📘 REGISTER: bit.ly/1021NW