Michigan School for Women Workers 2026: April 16-19
The Michigan School for Women Workers invites all union and non-union workers and activists from allied organizations to share ideas and grow skills for responding to the challenges facing working people with a special focus on women's issues and leaders. We welcome participants from all genders and all cultural or ethnic backgrounds. The Michigan School for Women Workers has been offering quality education since 1974.
You can review the curriculums offered at past conferences below. As this is a long-standing conference, please note that not every year is represented. To see photos and video from past conferences, visit the Michigan School for Women Workers Facebook Page.
Stronger Than Silence: Mental Health, Conflict, and Collective Care at Work: In this workshop, workers and leaders will discuss challenges and resources for navigating and maintaining one’s mental health. Pressures from work, family, personal life, and the political landscape contribute to our mind and mood, and breaking through mental health stigma can be challenging. Together, we’ll talk about healthy strategies for finding balance and wellbeing, in and out of the workplace.
Financial Planning 101: Financial literacy is crucial for all working people and can be the key to achieving one’s goals. Participants in this course will discuss goal-setting, financial planning tools, and budgeting, as well as strategies for reducing debt, creating wills and trusts, and more.
Speak So People Listen: Public Speaking with Purpose and Power: Public speaking is a fundamental skill in community and labor organizations, but it can be a challenge for many. No matter the setting, speaking in a confident, succinct, and poised way can help strengthen your arguments. This course will bring participants together to develop and practice skills for speaking in front of audiences.
Organizing Powerful, People-Driven Movements: Organizing workers and communities at scale is more important now than ever. This workshop will equip participants with core skills and strategies needed to effectively organize in the workplace and beyond. Whether you’re trying to grow your union, build momentum for a contract campaign, or take on issues like safety or fair pay, organizing is the foundation of collective action. This workshop is an opportunity for members from all industries and unions to hone their skills, share organizing tips, and learn from each other.
Care, Boundaries, and Resistance: Redefining Balance for Women Workers: Finding work-life balance can be challenging for all workers, especially those in caregiver roles. In this workshop, we’ll talk about the competing demands faced by women workers in particular, as well as strategies for managing one’s time and priorities to support a full and healthy life.
Inclusive Bargaining: Fighting for Underrepresented Groups in Contract Campaigns: Contract language is one cornerstone of workers’ protections and a reflection of union power. This workshop will focus on how unions and organizations can elevate the needs and demands of underrepresented groups. We’ll discuss examples of such campaigns, such as contract language on reproductive and gender-affirming care, religious holidays and exemptions, anti-discrimination, immigration support, and others.
Leadership is a Practice, not a Title: Community Engagement in Today’s World: The work of labor unions and community organizations is inseparable from the political landscape we live in. What does it mean to be a movement-building leader, and what are the shared skills between labor leaders and (elected) political leaders? Every organization and campaign is different, and this workshop will cover topics relevant for any leader: conflict resolution, ethical behavior, advanced member engagement, and skill-sharing.
Are You Building Sisterhood & Solidarity in Your Organization?: When sisters come together to build community, unions and organizations are more resilient. Cultivating these relationships takes work and practice. In this workshop, participants will discuss how to create environments where women can thrive and build solidarity. Topics will include mentor identification, conflict resolution, and identity-driven committee-building. This workshop welcomes participants of all genders. Building solidarity across differences strengthens our movement.
Trailblazers & Troublemakers: Women from Labor History: This workshop explores the powerful and often overlooked history of women in the labor movement. Participants will discuss key figures and events to draw comparisons between the past and the present, as we all continue to build an equitable movement and society.
COST is $640 ($560 tuition, $80 mandatory meal fee)
Please register and pay by April 9th. If we receive the full $640 payment by that date, you are eligible for the Express Lane—a shorter wait in line to check in. Mandatory meal payment covers 2 lunches and 3 breakfasts. Tuition assistance programs (TAP) cover tuition, but not meals. If using TAP, apply for $560 tuition. You or your union must include the $80 meal payment with your registration.
First check-in is Thursday, April 16th from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. A welcome program that evening runs from 7 – 9 pm. There is a second check-in period from 7:30 – 9 am Friday, April 17th. Friday and Saturday programs begin at 9 am and run until 5 pm.
The Somerset Inn, 2601 W Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084.
Call (800) 228-8769 or (248) 643-7800 to reserve a room at the Somerset Inn at $124 per night (Queen Bed) or $149 per night (King bed) plus taxes. Rooms are held at this rate until Thursday, April 9th. Mention MSWW for these rates. Note hotel cancellation deadlines. You will be charged if you fail to cancel by the hotel’s deadline.
The last date to withdraw at no cost is Thursday, April 9th. To be valid, cancellations must be emailed to CLCS.info@umich.edu. Registrants who not cancel by the deadline or fail to attend owe full payment of $640.00.
A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Call to inquire or refer to the scholarship portion of our website.
