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Labor Organizer Ai-jen Poo Is Fighting to Make Domestic Work Valued and Visible

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at the top, the photo says name ai jen poo and date october 28, 2021, below there is a black and white photo of ai jen, and then text below that says office hours


Othello Banaci + National Domestic Workers Alliance

In ELLE.com’s monthly series Office Hours, we ask people in powerful positions to take us through their first jobs, worst jobs, and everything in between. This month, we spoke with Ai-jen Poo, the award-winning activist and labor organizer who’s spent her career advocating for some of the nation’s most essential workers. Poo is currently the executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, a non-profit organization that fights to ensure fair work for those clean and provide care in our homes, a majority of whom are women of color and immigrants. She’s also the director of Caring Across Generations, a coalition working to transform our country’s care system, and her tireless work has to led to a MacArthur “Genius” Grant and a spot on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list. There’s a tremendous amount of dedication and a calling to so many to care and provide that care no matter what,” Poo told ELLE.com. “That is a constant source of inspiration to me.” Below, she shares her unique approach to organizing, the best leadership advice she’s received, and her own experience dealing with power imbalances in the workplace.

My first job

I sold running shoes in a little athletic store when I was about 16. I learned that people have all kinds of really specific concerns. Everybody has very, very particular needs, and it’s really important to pay attention and listen to what those are.

from the desk of ai jen poo

go to email sign off
warmly

the best way to reach me
text

how many alarms i set each day
i set two on an iphone, and it takes two to wake me up

go to snack
cheese toast

my mantra
everyday people and their everyday acts of courage eventually change everything

Othello Banaci + National Domestic Workers Alliance

What my childhood taught me about the value of women’s work

I come from a long line of caregivers. My grandmother was a nurse, and my mom became a doctor. Not only did they care for people in their professions, but they also cared for so many of us in our family, and a lot of the work they did was taken for granted and not really seen or recognized. I think it led me to really pay attention to how much work women do that just isn’t accounted for, isn’t valued, especially when it comes to caregiving. The opportunity to support women who do caregiving as a profession and have to live off of poverty wages, while also struggling to take care of their families and the people that they love, seems like a really important leverage point to address all the ways in which women’s work is devalued and made invisible.

When I faced harassment in the workplace

I’ve had experiences in the restaurant industry, for example, where sexual and racial harassment were the norm. I remember working the graveyard shift and having people come in the restaurant and harass me and the other waitstaff, talking about how I look like the geisha that was in their dream last night. I’ve also worked in jobs where my boss sexually harassed me. I’ve always had an awareness that, at the time especially, our workplace cultures are not designed to support the dignity of work for women. Women were overwhelmingly concentrated in positions of vulnerability in the restaurant industry. We’re relying on tips to make an income, so we’re at the mercy of customers who come in and think they can do whatever. In a lot of workplaces, men are supervisors, and that power imbalance is one of the reasons why sexual harassment is so prevalent. I feel like every job could be a really good job for women, but we have to make sure that our workplace cultures really support that.

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Why I think love is essential to organizing

I really believe when it comes to fighting for basic human dignity and humanity that there’s no such thing as an unlikely ally. At the end of the day, all of us are powered by the desire to make life better for the people that we love. When I see what caregivers do to take care of the people that they love, and immigrant women who go through tremendous stressors and trauma and travel across borders just to be able to offer a better set of choices for their children and for future generations, it’s a reminder of the power of love. If we can harness that to change the world and the systems and policies that shape our lives, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.

from the desk of ai jen poo

my open tabs
twitter, gmail, new york times cooking, and my yoga studio, which has a list of online classes

my first salary
eighteen thousands dollars as an organizer in new york in nineteen ninety eight

my dream job
if i weren't in this line of work, i'd like to be a personal stylist for activists i would love to help other activists feel beautiful and feel like a boss

Othello Banaci + National Domestic Workers Alliance

Why I prioritize sleep in my routine

I was told once that sleep is when you’re able to capture your experiences into memory. I think it’s really important that we remember everything that we’ve been through, everything that we’ve survived, everything that we’ve learned, and sleep is really key to being able to remember those things. So I believe in sleep for sure.

The best career advice I’ve been given

Problems are inevitable in anything that you do. And there are two kinds of problems: problems of growth and problems of decay. You generally want problems of growth, so if you’re struggling with those, you’re probably in a good place.

Also, your weaknesses as a leader are never going to become your strengths, but you can do things to minimize your weaknesses and you can enhance your strengths. Something I want to work on is leaning into conflict in ways that are healthy and constructive. I don’t mean conflict with people who hate immigrants, but conflict with people in my family, in my organization, or in the movement. Conflict with people I really love and care about, and figuring out how to engage in constructive ways when there are disagreements that feel hard.

How I cope with (unavoidable) failures

Failures are a constant because so much of what I do, and what the organizations that I’m part of are trying to do is stuff that’s never been done before. The way I move through it is in community, being a part of circles of people who can take the learnings and build from there. You want to create the context where others don’t have to make the same errors. You can make new ones, because that is how we’re going to learn and grow, but you do what you can in community to try to ensure that others don’t have to make the same errors to learn the same lessons.

a photo of meryl streep and ai jen poo on the red carpet at the golden globes

In 2018, several actors brought activists as their guests to the Golden Globe Awards as part of the #TimesUp movement, passing them the microphone in red carpet interviews. Meryl Streep chose Poo as her guest.

Frazer HarrisonGetty Images

How I stay grounded when people belittle this work

I remember all the ways women have come together to organize. There’s a long history of domestic workers, especially Black women, in our country who have come together and, through their collective dreams and action, have made the impossible possible. From 1881, when washerwomen in Atlanta went on strike for better pay and were successful in raising wages, to Dorothy Bolden and the founders of the National Domestic Workers Union, who organized domestic workers throughout the South, not just to improve their conditions but to also vote and be a part of our democracy. We are part of a proud tradition of women of color who have come together and expanded the realm of what’s possible. That’s what we do. Even if our ideas are dismissed as impossible, or even if we’re not seen as visionaries and strategists, that is what we are. No one can take that away from us.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Jennifer Lopez Joined Ben Affleck In L.A. With Kids For Thanksgiving

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Jennifer Lopez Joined Ben Affleck In L.A. With Kids For Thanksgiving


On Wednesday night, Jennifer Lopez arrived in Los Angeles with her 13-year-old twins Max and Emme. The family was likely there to join Lopez’s boyfriend, Ben Affleck, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lopez recently returned from the much colder climate of British Columbia, Canada, where she was filming her latest project, The Mother.

J. Lo touched down in her private jet wearing a teddy fur coat from Coach’s Autumn/Winter 2019 collection, and a pair of Ugg boots. Classic airplane outfit, celebrity style. Lopez and Affleck originally dated in 2002 and broke up in 2004. Their romance was rekindled earlier this year, soon after Lopez ended her relationship with baseball player Alex Rodriguez. The new couple went official in July, while celebrating Lopez’s 52nd birthday abroad.

Affleck’s most recent relationship with Ana de Armas ended in January after about a year together. He had divorced ex-wife Jennifer Garner in 2015 after being married for almost a decade. Garner and Affleck had three daughters, Violet, Seraphina, and Sam.

Before traveling back to the U.S., Lopez posted a story to Instagram Reels about how grateful she was to be headed home.

“Hey everybody, it’s my last day here shooting on The Mother out in Smithers in the snow, it’s been beautiful, but tonight I’m on my way home,” she said, as she walked through the wild landscape in a black coat and beanie.

“I’m so excited for Thanksgiving! I hope everybody has an amazing weekend with their families and their loved ones, there’s so much to be grateful for this year. I’m on my way!”

This is the first major holiday of the year since Lopez and Affleck reunited, so it’s likely to be a big one for both families.

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Everlane’s Black Friday Sale is Packed With Winter Essentials

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everlane


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This is not a drill: Everlane just kicked off its Black Friday sale. Now through Monday, November 29, the direct-to-consumer brand is offering 20 to 40% off its cozy sweaters, minimalist activewear, and popular jeans. If you’re not super familiar with Everlane, let me spell it out for you: this is a big deal.

The e-tailer might be known for making sustainable, ethically made clothes and accessories at a fair, affordable price, but Everlane rarely has sales beyond its Choose What You Pay section. So, if you want to stock up on cute basics for less, now’s your time to shop.

And, in true Everlane fashion, the brand is taking this opportunity to give back. Everlane is partnering with Rodale Institute and help U.S. farmers transition their farmland to regenerative organic—and donating $15 per order to the cause. A great sale that gives back? I’m sold.

But, hurry! These deals are going to sell out fast, so you won’t want to waste any time filling your e-cart.

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1

The Cloud Turtleneck

$150 $105 (30% off)

Sweater weather is officially here, so why not pick up a few fresh layers? This turtleneck is the S’s: snuggly, stylish, and on sale. 

2

The Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny Jeans

everlane

$78 $58 (25% off)

Looking for a great pair of jeans, minus the markup? Everlane’s classic skinny style is not only super stretchy, but it’ll look good with everything from chunky sweaters to silky blouses.

3

The ReNew Teddy Slippers

everlane

$65 $39 (40% off)

Why limit the shearling trend to the upper half of your body? These plush slippers will give even your most worn-in sweats a stylish edge.

4

The Chunky Cardigan

everlane

$110 $77 (30% off)

Sure, this may not be the cardigan Taylor Swift was talking about. But, with an exaggerated collar and ribbed finish, this style would definitely score top marks from the singer herself. 

5

The Canvas Utility Boots

everlane

$115 $59 (40% off)

Brave the cold weather in style with Everlane’s chic boots. The canvas uppers and thick sole make these an ideal, all-weather option.

6

The Lofty-Knit Henley

everlane

$150 $105 (30% off)

Made with a nubby blend of merino wool, alpaca, and recycled nylon, this henley is perfect for a cozy night in, yet stylish enough to wear in public.

7

The Perform Bike Shorts

everlane

$45 $22 (51% off)

No, you can never have too many stretchy pants. Everlane’s bike shorts ooze major Lady Di vibes — for under $25, no less.

8

The ReLeather Court Sneakers

everlane

$110 $66 (40% off)

Made with recycled leather, these refresh sneakers will serve up major curb appeal — and Mother Nature’s seal of approval. 

9

The Field Dress

everlane

$100 $60 (40% off)

Found: a fun, flouncy frock you can wear year-round. For a wintry take, pair with opaque tights and your favorite chunky boots.

10

The Cozy-Stretch Wide-Leg Sweatpants

everlane

$150 $75 (50% off)

With a straight-legged silhouette and wool material, it’s safe to say these are the chicest sweatpants we’ve ever seen. To sweeten an already enticing offer, this pair is half off.

11

The Organic Cotton Flannel Popover

$80 $56 (30% off)

Everlane reimagined the traditional flannel with a cropped silhouette, voluminous sleeves, and a slew of minimalist colors.

12

The Studio Bag

everlane

$275 $192 (30% off)

Large enough to fit all your essentials, but not too big that it’ll weigh you down, Everlane’s Studio Bag is the perfect everyday purse.

13

The ReNew Long Liner

everlane

$158 $118 (25% off)

House Stark was right: winter really is coming. Made with recycled materials, this liner is a great layering piece that’s considerably chicer than the yesteryear’s Michelin Man-worthy parkas.

14

The Felted Merino Beanie

everlane

$50 $30 (40% off)

All set on clothes? Pick up this cheery beanie, which is 40% off its original price.

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29 Winter Fragrances That Exude Main Character Energy

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29 Winter Fragrances That Exude Main Character Energy



29 Winter Fragrances That Exude Main Character Energy

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