1973

9to5 was founded in 1973 by clerical workers to respond to the inequities, unfairness, and outright harassment they were experiencing in the workplace.

Women organized and joined together to demand better working conditions from their bosses, their companies and policymakers. This took courage, tenacity, and willpower to fight against sexism and patriarchy. Yet as powerful as the early days were, they fell short in addressing all the problems with the status quo. 

TODAY

9to5 is fighting for economic justice for those most harmed by centuries of racism and sexism: women and nonbinary people of color. 

Women of color have always been the backbone of workplaces across the country, yet the status quo doesn’t work for most of us—and hasn’t ever.

We are building a mass movement, advancing community-led advocacy towards widespread, long-lasting change. We believe that we can achieve economic justice through grassroots organizing, people-centered policy change, and power building with our communities and collaborators. 

9to5 envisions women and nonbinary people of color and our families thriving on their own terms in an economically just world where gender and racial justice are realized.

9to5 has a national agenda plus chapters in three states—Georgia, Wisconsin and Colorado—focused on state and local advocacy on issues that impact the lives and build the leadership of working women of color, nonbinary folks and their families. At the national, state and local levels we:

Fight for worker justice.

The core of what we do has always included pushing for a fair workplace that includes higher wages, paid family leave and sick leave and a harassment-free workplace.  We advance racial and gender justice through our sustained fight for the rights of pregnant workers, pay equity and protections for temporary, contract, and “gig” workers.

Advocate for family and community sustainability.

Families must have accessible childcare they can afford and housing that suits their needs. Renters should be able to do so without worrying about unjust evictions or unfair rules. People in our communities must be able to access programs that help them live beyond paycheck-to-paycheck. We fight to make sure that all people can live and thrive as they wish, including when and if to have a family. Our communities must also be protected from the impacts of climate change. 

Build power in our communities.

Our members learn and share with each other. Through our work, grassroots women leaders have access to educational and organizing opportunities, voter education and engagement, along with professional development
and field experience.