History
About NOBEL Women
The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization primarily composed of current and former black women legislators as well as many appointed officials. Originally established in 1985, NOBEL Women is the country’s premier organization of Black women legislators committed to increasing and promoting the presence of Black women in government, non-profit, and corporate leadership.
Throughout its history, NOBEL Women have inspired women to take an active role in the making of public policy and have served as a catalyst to provide economic and social justice for all classes and races of people. NOBEL Women has worked actively to achieve its goals to increase the representation of black women in public service and the private sector by providing educational forums to address major public policy issues particularly in the areas of health, telecommunications, education, economic development and financial policies.
Today, NOBEL Women stands about 300 members strong. With the dynamic leadership of a renowned board, this premiere organization of black elected legislative women is preserving the legacy of leadership and shaping the future of our country with exceptional knowledge, character, courage and resolute few organizations have emulated.
As a viable voice for black women, NOBEL Women acts to communicate the needs of black women to the media, legislature and government to affect change. NOBEL Women supports opportunities that promote career, education and employment advancements for black women. Although NOBEL Women is primarily concerned with issues facing the black community, NOBEL Women examines the human and economic needs of all people.
As a viable voice for black women, NOBEL Women acts to communicate the needs of black women to the media, legislature and government to affect change. NOBEL Women supports opportunities that promote career, education and employment advancements for black women. Although NOBEL Women is primarily concerned with issues facing the black community, NOBEL Women examines the human and economic needs of all people.
Our Footprint
This map represents all the locations NOBEL has members.
Our Success Includes YOU
As an organization, we have been successful with: (a) creating programs and platforms that advance black women in the fields of public policy, public service, and civic engagement; (b) serving as a network and support system for Black women in leadership; (c) serving as a medium for thoughtful dialogue on issues of public interest between elected officials and stakeholders, and (d) training and educating a class of cultivated and experienced women to assume government and/or corporate leadership roles.
Our Objectives
- To create programs and platforms that advance Black women in the fields of public policy, public service, and civic engagement;
- To serve as a network and support system for Black women in public policy and organizational leadership;
- To serve as a venue for thoughtful dialogue on issues of public interest between elected officials and stakeholders; and
- To train and educate a class of cultivated and experienced Black women to assume both governmental and corporate leadership roles.
The Need
Throughout our history, the United States has relied on the innovative spirit of its most dedicated citizens to meet the challenges confronting our families, the community and the nation. That dedicated citizenry often has been comprised of strong enterprising Black women. As an organization representing over 240 Black elected legislative women, as well as an increasing number of women in appointed positions, both political and corporate, we know that Black women are making strides unlike ever before.
While we have witnessed a steady increase in the growth of women participating in the political process and in corporate leadership, since the late 80s, we must not lose sight of the implications that term limitations and redistricting have an adverse impact the electoral process and a lack of diversity in executive leadership still are issues of concern.
In a 2013, Huffington Post article, The Limits of Leaning In, authors Jan Diehm and Katy Hall, captured in an infographic many disturbing truths that exist for women looking to climb the corporate ladder. 1
The two exposed, that despite the wave of women throughout the country who were making efforts to “Lean In”2, men still held majority of the top leadership positions in much of Corporate America.
Within a 35 year (1975-2010) span, the number of women awarded college degrees increased by 58.7%, while the women serving in Congress only rose to 18.3% and the number of women who headed Fortune 500 companies was a dismisal 4.3%.
Studies show that both men and women possess a desire to advance to the next level in the workplace yet, if presented with the opportunity to advance, only 18% of women would choose to do so. 3
According to the Center for Talent Innovation, women in the United States make up only 34% of what they refer to as the “marzipan layer”. 4
The Center for Worklife Policy, reports that most women are stuck at midlevel “staff” roles, while their male counterparts are “fast tracked” to a career in corporate leadership.
With stats like these for women in general, one can only imagine what alarming numbers exists for women of color. The Center of American Progress reports, that women of color is a growing demographic comprising 36.3% of the entire female population and 18.4% of the total United States population. With such significant growth patterns, you would expect the living conditions of women to be much better, yet, with a wealth gap of approximately -$108.00/week it is not surprising to find that 25.6% of Black women, 25% Hispanic women and 26.4% of Native American women live in poverty.
In recent years, the number of women enrolled in college has surpassed men by 16%; the number of Fortune 500s with female CEOs has nearly doubled and as a result companies are seeing high returns on their sales, equity and invested capital.