Ai-jen Poo

Ai-jen Poo
US Department of Labor · Public domain · source
Name	Ai-jen Poo
Occupation	Labor leader, activist

Ai-jen Poo is a prominent labor leader and activist, known for her work with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and her advocacy for workers' rights, particularly for domestic workers and caregivers. She has worked closely with organizations such as the AFL-CIO, the Service Employees International Union, and the National Council of La Raza to promote labor rights and social justice. Poo's work has been influenced by her interactions with notable figures such as Dolores Huerta, Gloria Steinem, and Angela Davis, and she has been involved in various campaigns, including the Fight for $15 and the Women's March on Washington.

● Early Life and Education

Ai-jen Poo was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a family of Taiwanese Americans. She developed an interest in social justice and labor rights at a young age, inspired by the work of her parents, who were both community organizers. Poo attended Columbia University, where she studied anthropology and sociology, and became involved in various student organizations, including the Student Labor Action Coalition and the United Students Against Sweatshops. During her time at Columbia, she was influenced by the work of Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and Frances Fox Piven, and she participated in campaigns such as the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Living Wage Campaign.

● Career

After graduating from Columbia, Poo began her career as a community organizer with the Domestic Workers United organization in New York City. She worked closely with domestic workers and caregivers to advocate for their rights and benefits, and she helped to establish the National Domestic Workers Alliance in 2007. Poo has also worked with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Organization for Women, and the Human Rights Campaign to promote social justice and human rights. She has been involved in various campaigns, including the Campaign for Better Care and the Fight for Fair Pay, and she has worked with notable figures such as Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren.

● Activism and Advocacy

Poo's activism and advocacy have focused on promoting labor rights, particularly for domestic workers and caregivers. She has worked to raise awareness about the exploitation and abuse faced by these workers, and she has advocated for policy changes to protect their rights and benefits. Poo has been involved in various campaigns, including the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and the Care Work Agenda, and she has worked with organizations such as the International Labor Organization, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization to promote global justice and human rights. She has also been influenced by the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Cesar Chavez, and she has participated in events such as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the United Farm Workers boycott.

● Awards and Recognition

Poo has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including the MacArthur Fellowship, the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and the Ford Foundation's Visionaries Award. She has been named one of the Time 100 most influential people in the world, and she has been recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House. Poo has also received awards from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the Labor Research Association, and she has been honored by institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University.

● Personal Life

Poo is married to Mohammad Mishra, a community organizer and activist, and she has two children. She is a Buddhist and has spoken about the influence of Buddhism on her activism and advocacy. Poo has also spoken about the importance of self-care and mindfulness in her personal and professional life, and she has been influenced by the work of Thich Nhat Hanh, Dalai Lama, and Alice Walker. She has participated in events such as the Women's Leadership Conference and the Social Justice Summit, and she has worked with organizations such as the Ms. Foundation for Women and the National Women's Law Center to promote women's rights and empowerment.