WEAP Accomplishments

WEAP has a long history of both Leadership Development and Empowerment work with low-income women and their families throughout California as well as networking activities with women's organizations nationally and internationally.
Examples of a few of WEAP’s specific Accomplishments and Awards include:


2007- WEAP is awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education for their “dedication and mentorship as a valued community partner in the Metta Mentor Nonviolence Integration Program.”

March 2006- Held a “Citizen’s Hearing and Truth Commission on the Healthcare Crisis” in Oakland with Congresswoman Barbara Lee as the honorary chair, in order to “document the personal hardship and tragedy caused by the crisis in health care in our community.” Special space was reserved for women dealing with difficulties obtaining reproductive healthcare.

2006- WEAP broke the media blackout in California on the numerous citizen-run healthcare hearings.  Coverage included the San Francisco Bay View, Oakland Tribune, California Voice, Metro Reporter, KPOO, PCBS, and KTVU and was disseminated by CNA to their affiliates nationwide.

2004- WEAP's Social Justice work as a part of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign is spotlighted in the Ford Foundation's "Close to Home," a publication that presents 13 case studies of human rights work that is improving the lives of many in the United States.

April 2003- WEAP is awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from SEIU Local 616 Homecare Workers stating "As in a family full of love and solidarity, we graciously recognize your commitment and passion for social justice and equality, Si Se Puede!"

2003- Essence Magazine gives Ethel Long-Scott one of its first "Street Warrior" awards "for your courage and sacrifice, vision and commitment to community and the advancement of our people."

1993- Conducted a year-long campaign for affordable childcare led by a mother who was charged with child endangerment when her baby drowned while in the care of his older brother while she was at work. After 30 court appearances, numerous media interviews, extensive organizing, etc. she was exonerated and the need for affordable childcare was brought to public attention.

1992- Brought 600 women and their children together for a Summit Conference of Poor Women at Mills College. Conference provided room and board, ground transportation and full-time childcare for 3 days. Cost to poor women was $25 for the entire conference. More than 50 Spanish-speaking women were able to participate fully due to translation provided for each meeting and workshop. With this event, WEAP brought women together from 40 California cities and 13 states in order to share their needs, plans, and successes and to create an action plan.

1982- Brought 350 women together from across California to identify the issues and priorities that concern them. The low-income and minority women attending this meeting developed WEAP's initial agenda for action and education.

A small sampling of the specific projects and outcomes that WEAP has completed throughout its many years include:

1. Trained more than a dozen women to effectively relate WEAP’s mission and vision of the Health Care is an Economic Human Right Campaign.  Several of these women conversed with reporters and were published.

2. Save the Soul of America- An eight day Freedom Bus Ride Tour and March throughout the East Bay, which united economically displaced California workers, including temporary workers, immigrants, the young, the poor, the homeless, and the cast aside and successfully highlighted and documented local economic human rights violations.

3. West Oakland - HOPE VI and Beyond - public housing residents outreach; organizing and training; job education and technical assistance training; and training for housing renovation.

4. Health Committee - Brought more than 30 low-income women together with Health Care providers in Oakland - in regular planning/sharing meetings over the period of the year.

5. Group of low-income women organized a statewide tour of speakers on issues of the poor, which was attended by several hundred people.

6. Held a series of meetings and trainings in housing projects to train women to speak, run meetings, and plan action programs.

7. Designed a state of the art Computer Training and Telecommunications Skills Center.

8. Renovated the Atrium’s second floor to provide a stunning architectural setting for classrooms and work areas equipped with the latest in high-speed computer wiring, World Wide Web access, and the ability for plug-in teleconferencing.

9. Carried out Life Skills Training at drug treatment programs, schools, colleges, Head Start, and housing projects under contract with the Oakland Unified School District. Low-income women leaders of WEAP conducted this training.

10. Provided outreach to more than 4,000 public housing residents.

11. Trained and guided low-income women to conduct specific campaigns for justice including court appearances, extensive media work, vigils, public education, running meetings, etc.

12. WEAP secured a contract with the City of Oakland's Office of Public Works to operate a Construction Trades Training Program.

13. WEAP successfully trained 115 women and men for pre-apprentice jobs working on the Cypress Mandela Freeway Construction Project.