46th UALE Northeast Regional Women's Summer School

All participants will choose from workshops designed to improve leadership skills and capacities. Multi-day workshops will be offered to allow for in-depth learning experiences and practical application. The courses are designed to promote development of self and relationships; organizational leadership; how labor’s values and issues intersect; member engagement, and an understanding of the economic and political forces shaping today’s labor movement. Summer school instructors are intergenerational pairs of union officers, staff, and labor educators from universities, unions and worker organizations. Throughout the week, experts on current labor issues share their knowledge and wisdom as guest speakers. Evening activities provide opportunities to network and have fun!  

Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NEunionwomensummerschool

Start and End times are confirmed. Events during Summer School may change.

The UALE Northeast Summer School for Women in Unions and Worker Organizations strives to be a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students and instructors alike. We adhere to the following principles of unity:

To respect each other's race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender expression and identity, immigrant status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and language.

To communicate in class and during the summer school with awareness that:

• Life experiences and perceptions vary; be mindful of what you say and how you say it.
• What you mean to say, with the best of intentions, may not always be interpreted that way by others.
• Giving constructive feedback promotes respectful dialogue.
• Being open to hearing constructive feedback promotes understanding.

The Union Women’s Summer Schools began in the Northeast Region in the late 1970s and expanded to the Midwest, Western, and Southern Districts of the United States. Their conception was rooted in the traditions of early worker education as exemplified by the Bryn Mawr summer schools for Women Workers of the 1920s and the Works Progress Administration worker education programs of the 1930s.

Courses of study were tailored to the needs and interests of working people. Barbara Wertheimer, Director of Cornell’s Institute of Women and Work, introduced the idea to colleagues in the University and College Labor Education Association (precursor to UALE). Encouraged by the the rising feminist movement and the founding of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, UCLEA launched its first school in 1975 at the University of Connecticut.

Designed by a committee of labor educators, the residential schools bring together women workers, officers and staff of unions and workers organizations to strengthen their knowledge of the labor movement and develop skills which will enable them to become more active and influential in their organizations. The schools are a place where women workers can share experiences and give one another support. As Gloria Johnson, past President of CLUW and frequent speaker at the schools’ graduations ceremonies pointed out, “We have to create 'old girls' networks to be able to support each other and advance.” The schools contribute to this objective, as evidenced by the record of participants. Since 1975, the schools have educated thousands, many of whom have become leaders of their unions.

• $750 Double Occupancy 
• $850 Single Occupancy  
• $525 for worker organizations other than unions 
• $400 Commuter cost

The cost to attend is $750 (double room) or $850 (single room). This includes tuition, housing, meals, and parking for the four days of summer school.  Residents will be housed on campus, in dormitory apartments near the Labor Education Center (LEC). Each apartment has 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom, and will house two to four women. All apartments are non-smoking. Commuters to the school will pay a fee of $400, which includes tuition, parking, and two meals per day; commuter slots are limited. You should plan to arrive the afternoon of Monday, July 10, and the graduation program will end at approximately 1pm on Friday, July 14. 

Limited scholarship support is available. We request that Union members ask their Local to sponsor their attendance. The scholarship form will be available online in April or by contacting Djar Horn at wss2023@smlr.rutgers.edu. 

A limited number of partial scholarships are available and will be awarded based on individual need. We ask that you approach your union, Central Labor Council, or organization to cover your registration costs before you apply.

The scholarship application is available here. Contact Djar Horn at djar.horn@rutgers.edu with questions about scholarships. 

The Women's Summer School is an exciting week of learning and solidarity. Space is limited to 150 participants, so register early!

Register online with payment by check or by credit card. Your organization can make payment to cover your registration by either method.  

Registration deadline: June 15, 2023 

Cancellation Deadline: June 15, 2023 

> Click here to register for the 2023 UALE NE Women's Summer School

All cancellations must be received in writing by email. Full refunds less a $25 cancellation fee are available until June 15, 2023. Cancellations made after June 15, 2023 will incur an additional $150 fee. Registered participants who fail to cancel in writing prior to the start of the summer school on July 10, 2023 and do not attend the program will not receive a refund except in extreme circumstances that will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. 

We have received updated guidance from Rutgers University as of March 2023. If the University updates the COVID policy prior to the start of the Summer School, we will notify all participants and post the information here. However, we have confirmed that the policy below will be in effect for the duration of our 2023 summer conference season. 

• Guests to the university will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID test.  Group representatives will no longer be required to attest to the vaccination status of their participants.  
• Face Coverings are not required in academic or administrative settings. Wearing a face covering is required of all faculty, staff, students, and visitors in all clinical settings. While masking is optional in academic and administrative settings, we do encourage it. 

Women’s Summer School Position 

In solidarity with those of us that are at higher risk, we ask all participants to consider wearing masks during the group activities. Masks and tests will be provided at the Women's Summer School. Further direction will be available prior to the start of the school.   

We are working on eating arrangements for those that need distance. More details to follow.   

For the latest Women's Summer School updates, check out our Facebook page!

For more information about the 2023 program, contact the Rutgers Women’s Summer School team at wss2023@smlr.rutgers.edu.