It might be an unexpected divorce, or the untimely death of the family?s sole breadwinner.
Whatever it is that forces a woman to change her life, learn new skills and get back on her feet, Maryland Women Work! and its president, Chrys Dain Ellerton, are there to help.
Maryland Women Work! is a network of like-minded organizations focused on helping women who find themselves in need. A report from the group this year found 80,897 displaced homemakers statewide ? women over 30 who have lost their primary source of income.
“So many women are one paycheck away from being in that situation,” Ellerton said. “Where the car breaks down, their child?s health is bad, their own health.”
Ellerton, 55, is also the coordinator of noncredit career advising at Cecil Community College. She got involved with Women Work! through her work with the school, overseeing grants for displaced homemakers.
“It?s very gratifying,” she said. “In some cases they?ve lost their self-esteem; others have a lot of motivation and just need direction.”
In fiscal 2005, the organization served approximately 2,000 clients and placed nearly 1,400 women in jobs paying an average of $10.13 per hour, according to a report by the group. Those women contributed an estimated $25 million in wages to the state?s economy and $1.1 million in tax revenue, the report said.
The organization has expanded to include computer training, welfare-to-work programs and other career-oriented programs. Ellerton said she works to place women in administrative assistant and health care jobs, positions that provide a living wage and room to grow.
“I think just like many women we can all empathize and see ourselves in that situation,” Ellerton said. “I hear of a growing trend of educated women saying, ?I?m going to be a bag lady.? ”
Jill Miller, president of the national Women Work! Organization, said Ellerton?s leadership has been crucial in the success of several recent projects, including a partnership with Frito-Lay that may become a model nationwide.
“I think her … leadership has grown over the past year in terms of learning how to delegate and bring in other strong individuals who then take leadership on these initiatives,” Miller said. “She also has a very collaborative style, she involves others in decision-making, so there?s buy-in and consensus around decisions.”
Ellerton said she plans to stick with the organization, and continue with the field work at the college and with her group that has helped so many women.
