BIO

Carolyn A. Cook United for Equality, LLC., CEO & Founder

Social Entrepreneur

United 4 Equality, LLC

  • Drafted original proposal for joint resolution in the 112th Congress to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

  • Launched United for Equality, L.L.C., (U4E), to challenge the federal government and several states to take responsibility for the 'General Welfare' of all Women and Girls by ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by 2015.

  • Partnered with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (WI) to introduce H.J. Res. 47 on March 8, 2011 *100th Anniversary of Int'l Women's Day to serve as a reminder that the U.S. cannot curb human rights abuses abroad while denying women and girls constitutional equality at home.

  • Spearheaded unanimous passage of a 'Sense of the DC Council' resolution supporting H.J. Res. 47 and ERA becoming the 28th Amendment.

  • On March 22, 2012, Senator Ben Cardin introduced its companion bill, S.J. Res. 39, in honor of the 40th anniversary of when ERA passed the Senate in 1972.

  • Re-introduced ERA joint resolution in 113th Congress with bipartisan Senate bill - Senator Cardin & Senator Mark Kirk (S.J. Res. 15) and (H.J. Res. 43)

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (Elected Office – Four Terms; Unpaid) ANC3/4G

Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are bodies of local government in Washington, D.C.. Created in 1974, ANCs consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the District's annual budget.

  • Represents 2,000 constituents and serves on a seven-member commission that meets bi-monthly representing 14,000 residents in total.

  • Re-elected to a fourth (2) two-year term in 2014.

  • Accomplishments include:

    • Established successful senior program, Club 60+ at a local community center because there was nothing available for low-income seniors.

    • Publicly opposed and later testified against the dismantling of DC’s city-wide disabled parking privileges program. (Bill died).

    • Stood alone on her Commission against a well-known developer who failed to renegotiate a community agreement with neighbors. Her Op-Ed was published in the local paper.

    • Publicly opposed a mandatory 8-hour snow removal regulation that would have resulted in a 200% increase in fines (Bill died).

    • Again stood alone on her Commission and organized community support to successfully defeat city's proposal to signalize historic traffic circle without warrant.

    • Successfully advocated for the development of a Women’s Heritage Trail in the Nation's Capitol.

    • Coordinated the installation of sidewalks, park benches, an enclosed bus shelter and a national park clean-up as part of her community improvements.

Vision 2020 National Delegate Representing Washington, DC

Drexel University Institute for Women's Health and Leadership

Vision 2020 is a national coalition of organizations and individuals united in their commitment to achieve women’s economic and social equality.

Vision 2020 National Delegate is a person who meets the following criteria:

  • Has a demonstrated commitment to helping women and/or girls.

  • Commits to serving a two-year term as a Delegate with Vision 2020 attending the National Congresses and working to advance women in leadership on behalf of Vision 2020. She develops an initiative that promotes Vision 2020 national goals or acts as a Change Agent, engaging communities and networks in work to advance the Vision 2020 goals.

  • Is a leader in or affiliated with an organization (professional, social, or grassroots) that is working to advance women in leadership.

  • Is willing to mobilize her individual and professional resources to bring about positive change in women’s equality in the name of Vision 2020.

Prior Expertise

Vice-President of Programs & Web Mistress

The Clearinghouse on Women's Issues (CWI)

  • Responsible for hosting nine public programs each year on an array of women's issues with expert speakers from various disciplines.

  • Revamped CWI's website producing a significant cost savings, functionality and enhanced look and feel.

  • Established CWI's social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.

Human Resources/Work-Family Initiatives - Discovery Communications, LLC (aka Discovery Channel)

    • Contributed to establishing Discovery among the ‘100 Best Companies for Employees and their Families' featured in Working Mother, Fortune and Washingtonian magazines.

    • Developed over 25 programs* in areas of Home Life, Wellness, Flex Work, Service Learning and Personal Development in 14 offices across the U.S.

    • Signature program *Global Employee Body Challenge featured in US News & World Report & as highlighted as ‘Best Practice in Corporate Wellness’ by the Conference Board.

Awards and Honors

  • 2014 Alice Paul Award - Alice Paul Institute

  • 2012 Washington DC Mayor's Community Service Award - D.C. Serves

  • 2012 Woman of Vision in Business - Arlington County, VA Commission for Women

  • 2011 Maryland Governor's Citation for exemplary work on behalf of women and girls.

  • 2011 Woman of Achievement - Montgomery County, MD Business and Professional Women

  • 2010 Top 10 Most Interesting People in Washington, DC by the DC Spotlight