Women's Help Groups

Here are some outstanding non-profit organizations to turn to for support and advice that have a strong committment to women's work issues.

Center for Women's Policy Studies Conducts independent feminist policy research and advocacy, concentrating on complex, cutting edge women's issues. Jennifer Tucker is deputy director; Leslie R. Wolfe, president. 2000 P St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone 202-872-1770

Equal Rights Advocates Promotes women's equality in employment through precedent-setting litigation, public policy, advice and counseling. Places special emphasis on concerns of low-income women and women of color. Refers individuals it cannot help. Executive director is Nancy Davis; managing attorney is Judith Kurtz. 1663 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103. Phone 415-621-0672. Hotline 415-621-0505.

National Committee on Pay Equity Researches issues of women's salaries, legislation, job evaluation and the wage gap. Executive director is Susan Bianchi-Sand. 1126 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone 202-331-7343.

National Organization For Women Advocacy and lobbying. Local chapters counsel and refer on employment and health care benefits. Has more than 600 chapters. National president is Patricia Ireland. 1000 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone 202-331-0066.

National Women's Law Center Handles cases involving precedent-setting women's issues. Co-presidents are Nancy Duff Campbell and Marcia Greenberger, 1616 P St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone 202-311-5160.

New Ways to Work Seeks to establish flexible hours, work arrangements, and public policy. Co-directors, who share this job, are Barney Ohlmsted and Suzanne Smith. 785 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94103. Phone 415-995-9860.

9 to 5 National Association of Working Women Works on issues of job discrimination, sexual harassment and work-related health problems. Executive director is Ellen Bravo. 238 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Phone 414-274-0925. Hotline 800-522-0925.

Older Women's League Advocacy group from midlife and older women. Focuses on pension, health and job discrimination. Has 120 chapters nationwide. Executive director is Deborah Briceland-Betts. 666 11th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Phone 202-783-6686. Toll-free 800-825-3695.

Wider Opportunities for Women/National Commission on Working Women Works on sexual harassment and access to non-traditional jobs. Cindy Marano heads Wider Opportunities, Irene Natividad heads the commission. 815 15th St. NW. Washington, D.C. 20005. Phone 202-638-3143.

Women's Economic Agenda Project Works to achieve economic justice for low-income women. Helps groups organize and seeks to empower individuals. Executive director is Ethel Long-Scott. 518 17th St., Oakland, CA 94612. Phone 510-451-7379.

Women Employed Works on career development, access to better jobs for low-income women and counseling employers on equal opportunity and prevention of sexual harassment. Executive director of the advocacy and training group is Anne Ladky. 22 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603. Phone 312-782-3902.

Women's Legal Defense Advocacy, lobbying, public education and litigation on precedent-setting issues such as family leave, sexual harassment, pay equality and pregnancy discrimination. Headed by Judith Lichtman. 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone 202-986-2600.

Women Work! The National Network for Women's Employment Formerly the Displaced Homemakers Network, the refocused agency helps women return to the workplace and provides training and technical assistance to job-training programs for women in transition. Co-directors are Jill Miller and Rubie Coles. 1625 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006. Phone 202-467-6346.

By Carol Kleiman, Chicago Tribune