The Workers Circle Elects New Board President and Welcomes New Board Members
New President Eva Zasloff will be joined on the board by Andrea Miller and Ellen Cassedy,
highlighting a strong representation of women's leadership at the Workers Circle.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2024
Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-9983
New York, NY – The Workers Circle proudly announces the election of Eva Zasloff as its new Board President, marking only the second time in the organization's 124-year history that a woman has held this leadership role. The organization also welcomes Andrea Miller, founder of the Center for Common Ground, and Ellen Cassedy, founder of the 9 to 5 Movement, as new members of its Board of Directors. These appointments highlight the Workers Circle’s commitment to empowering women leaders and advancing its mission of social justice and democracy through a Jewish lens.
Eva Zasloff, a long-time member of the Workers Circle community, has served on the organization’s board since 2012. As Vice President for Development, she played a key role in expanding the organization’s resources, strengthening fundraising efforts, and supporting its mission, educational programming, and democracy initiatives. A 4th and 5th grade teacher at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, Zasloff has been deeply involved in organizing and leading the Workers Circle youth initiatives, fostering a new generation of activists. In her new role as Board President, Zasloff will lead the organization into its 125th year of activism and cultural engagement.
“I am honored to serve as the new President of the Workers Circle Board. It’s a privilege to work alongside such committed individuals who are as passionate as I am about social justice and democracy,” said Zasloff. “I look forward to building on the legacy of the organization and continuing our vital work, inspired by our mission to create a better and more beautiful world for all.”
Andrea Miller brings a wealth of experience as the founder of the Center for Common Ground and Executive Director of People Demanding Action. With her expertise in voting rights advocacy, climate justice, and digital strategy, Miller has successfully led efforts to increase voter engagement and civic participation, particularly in underserved communities.
Ellen Cassedy, a founder and longtime leader of the 9 to 5 movement, was pivotal in advocating for women office workers in the 1970s, inspiring films, documentaries, and songs. Her book, Working 9 to 5, chronicles this groundbreaking movement. Cassedy has been actively involved with the Workers Circle, participating in numerous activist and Yiddish programs. A prolific writer, Yiddishist, and translator, she is the author of the critically acclaimed We Are Here: Memories of the Lithuanian Holocaust and the play Beautiful Hills of Brooklyn. She is also a former speechwriter in the Clinton Administration. Ellen has been actively involved with the Workers Circle. She has participated in numerous Workers Circle activist and Yiddish programs, engaging with hundreds of members.
"Eva's election as our second female Board President ushers in a new era of women's leadership at the Workers Circle," said CEO Ann Toback. "Together with distinguished activists Andrea Miller and Ellen Cassidy, this powerhouse team brings decades of battle-tested experience to our mission of defending and strengthening American democracy."
In addition, the Workers Circle is pleased to announce that Hasia R. Diner, Ph.D., Barry Eisenberg, Ph.D., Sally Guttmacher, Ph.D., Jack Lusk, Jeffrey G. Stein, and Eitan Tabak have been re-elected to serve another term on the Board, while Richard Rumelt will become Past President.
About Eva Zasloff
Eva Zasloff joined the Workers Circle Board of Directors in 2012, and most recently served as Vice President for Development. She became active in the Manhattan Workers Circle School in 2010, and helped to organize and run the Workers Circle Teen Civil Rights Trips to Alabama and to Virginia and Washington, DC. Eva received a BA in 1993 from the University of Chicago, and a 1997 MSEd from Bank Street College of Education. Since 1993, she has worked at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn as a 4th and 5th grade teacher.
The Workers Circle has enabled Eva to re-engage in the world of Jewish culture and activism, and to renew her commitment to making the world a better place. She is excited to lead the organization into the future, continuing its rich traditions of Yiddishkayt, multigenerational education, and social justice activism.
About Andrea Miller
Andrea Miller is the Founding Board Member of the Center for Common Ground and Executive Director of People Demanding Action. She is also the Founding President of the National Women's Political Caucus of Virginia, and a member of the Democracy and Governance working group of the Virginia Green New Deal. In 2008, she was the Democratic nominee for Virginia's 4th Congressional District. From 2013 to 2015, she led the Progressive Round Table on Capitol Hill, connecting members of Congress, activists, and nonprofit leaders.
The Center for Common Ground has been a key partner with the Workers Circle in its democracy and voting rights activism. Andrea has been a featured presenter in numerous Workers Circle and Center for Common Ground programs, which have connected with thousands of activists across the country.
As an IT and Political Director, Andrea specializes in digital and elections strategy, including phone bank and texting programs. Her expertise includes voting rights, climate policy, and the Equal Rights Amendment. Additionally, Andrea has successfully advocated for legislation at both the federal and state levels.
About Ellen Cassedy
Ellen Cassedy is a founder and longtime leader of the 9 to 5 movement, the pioneering 1970s organization advocating for women office workers. Her recent book, Working 9 to 5, chronicles the movement that also inspired documentaries, Jane Fonda's film, and Dolly Parton's hit song.
Ellen has been actively involved with the Workers Circle. She has participated in numerous Workers Circle activist and Yiddish programs, engaging with hundreds of members.
She is also a prolific writer, Yiddishist, and translator. Her book, We Are Here: Memories of the Lithuanian Holocaust, as well as her translations of Yiddish poetry and prose have received significant critical acclaim. Her play, Beautiful Hills of Brooklyn, was adapted into a multi-award winning short film.
Ellen’s diverse career includes roles as a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and a speechwriter in the Clinton Administration.
About the Workers Circle
The Workers Circle is a national, secular, Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern European immigrants who came to the US fleeing autocracy and persecution, and seeking democratic freedoms and economic opportunities at the turn of the 20th century. That history drives our work for an inclusive democracy and human equality today. Our activism is rooted in 1,000 years of Yiddish culture and tradition. Through strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, and interactive educational programs we power a multi-generational community of activists that is building “a better and more beautiful world for all.” Learn more at www.circle.org.
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