Julie Kashen is the Director of Women's Economic Justice and Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation - an independent think tank conducting research, developing solutions, and driving policy change to improve people’s lives. Julie has over two decades of experience advocating for issues around work and family, caregiving, economic mobility, and labor in government and nonprofit sectors. She was key in drafting major national legislation, including the first paid sick days bill and the Child Care for Working Families Act. She also contributed to creating the first National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.
Julie Kashen is the Director of Women's Economic Justice and Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation - an independent think tank conducting research, developing solutions, and driving policy change to improve people’s lives. Julie has over two decades of experience advocating for issues around work and family, caregiving, economic mobility, and labor in government and nonprofit sectors. She was key in drafting major national legislation, including the first paid sick days bill and the Child Care for Working Families Act. She also contributed to creating the first National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.
We are delighted to bring today’s guest, Julie Kashen, on the show to share how her early life experiences growing up in Queens and Long Island shaped her views on childhood and her life's purpose. Julie is the Director of Women's Economic Justice and Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation, an independent think tank that conducts research, develops solutions, and drives policy change to improve people's lives. Julie has over two decades of experience advocating for issues around work and family. She was key in drafting national legislation, including the first paid sick day bill and the Childcare for Working Families Act.
From an early age, Kashen was aware of gender dynamics and was determined not to let her gender hold her back. Her passion for social justice was ignited during her time in a Jewish youth group where she learned about the concept of "Tikkun olam" or repairing the world. This led her to pivot from her initial aspiration of being an actress to dedicating her time to social justice. Upon her parents' divorce, she saw the need to be financially independent and focused on a career that would allow her to make a difference in the world. Her journey took her to the White House and British Parliament, where she observed different mindsets about the role of government and the impact of policies such as the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 on low-income families in the US.
In our conversation, Julie discusses the importance of diversity and intentional parenting. She emphasizes the significance of being intentional when connecting with people from different backgrounds and the importance of children growing up with diversity. Kashen's unique perspective highlights the lasting impact of childhood experiences on our lives and the importance of advocating for social justice and equality.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and helps spread the word about the podcast.
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.