Happy International Women’s Day to our WIN BRG powerful and strong women!
Story shared by WIN Member Nadia Damchii (DSHS)
Suffragettes at a 1921 International Women's Day event
International Women’s Day (IWD) will be celebrated on March 8th, and this year’s theme is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” focused on eliminating legal and structural barriers to equality. The campaign also highlights “Give to Gain” to encourage a mindset of generosity and collaboration and “Balance the Scales” for gender equality through actionable change.
The first National Woman’s Day was held in New York City in 1909. The Socialist Party of America declared the holiday to mark the anniversary of protests held a year earlier, when 15,000 women took to the street to demand shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote. The idea spread quickly to Europe, and the first International Women’s Day was held in 1911. Finally, in 1975 the United Nations declared March 8th as International Women’s Day. According to the BBC, that date was chosen in honor of a group of women in Russia who held a four-day strike in March 1917 to demand peace, bread, and the right to vote.
The day is now celebrated in a wide variety of ways around the globe. In America, it’s marked more with events to raise awareness about women’s issues. In Mongolia, many men will give presents, like flowers, words of appreciation, and maybe a card to their mom and wife. They may also take up cooking duties for the day and prepare a special meal for the women in their life or take them out to a restaurant. WIN member Nadia Damchii, who is from Mongolia, recalls going to Women’s Day parties with coworkers and watching TV specials about women roles in society within Mongolia.
Many will push to put an end to domestic violence against women during Women’s Day, but they don’t talk much about how to build opportunities and equality at workplaces that would impact financial stability between men and women. There has been a lot of progress around women’s advancement in Mongolia over the past decades. Nadia said that Mongolia’s parliament consists of 126 members, and, by a law that passed in Mongolia to advance Women right and equal opportunity and gender equality, political parties should have at least 30% women candidates for all types of elections.
Nadia said, “In our immigrant community, we want more women to take managerial and leadership roles, we want our voice to be heard and to sit at the decision-making table along with men, because I do believe women are not less smart than men.”
Thank You Tuletu!
WIN's Website Coordinator Steps Away
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On January 30th, Tuletu Nelani stepped away from the role of WIN's Website Coordinator, which she held since October 2024. Tuletu made big contributions to the website and WIN's Communication Team. She has been a tremendous asset to the WIN team.
WIN Chair Rokaih Vansot thanked Tuletu by saying: "I really appreciate everything you’ve contributed in the WIN website manager role. Your work and dedication have been invaluable, and I’m glad to hear this experience has been a positive and meaningful one for you. Wishing you all the best and thank you again for all that you’ve done for WIN and the community."
Komal Qureshi has agreed to temporarily take on the role until another Website Coordinator is appointed. Thank you, Komal!
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 WIN NEEDS YOU!
WIN is seeking a volunteer to take on the role of WIN's Website Coordinator.
The Website Coordinator is responsible for updating WIN’s website with content including uploading images and videos, posting WIN events, and sharing Immigrant Stories on our website. This role reports their efforts to the WIN leadership team.
Interested? Email WIN@ofm.wa.gov and provide the following details:
- Your first and last name
- Pronouns (optional)
- Email address
- Agency/Organization
- Why you are interested in serving as the Website Coordinator.
 The Washington State Women's Commission and Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity (BUILD BRG) launched a survey to collect real stories and experiences of Black women working in the public sector.
Survey responses will inform a practical guide for employers to more effectively support Black women in the workplace, and for Black women to recognize mistreatment, protect their well-being, and advocate for themselves.
The goal is to reach as many Black women working in state government, non-profits, social services or otherwise before our survey close.
You can learn more by watching this video on LinkedIn
Take the survey by March 15th by using the QR code above or by clicking the link below
ICSEW's Career Development Virtual Lunch and Learn Program:
Pay Equity
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Registration is required for this meeting:
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Immigrant Stories are American Stories
We are collecting Immigrant Stories to highlight in our newsletter, social media, YouTube and website. WIN’s Immigrant Stories page has been updated to includes a document with prompts to help you draft your story and a release form.
Thank you! We are looking forward to amplifying your story!
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Join us for our next WIN General Membership Meeting!
📅 Date: March 3, 2026
🕛 Time: Noon – 1:00 p.m.
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Ginger Kwan, the founder of Open Doors for Multicultural Families will share her immigrant story and present information about their amazing organization.
Join us on Zoom:
Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 942 7896 2565 Passcode: 638513
Our meeting is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN. We hope you can attend.
New opportunities from SmartHealth.
1. The Washington Experience Giveaway is back!
Twenty lucky SmartHealth subscribers will win $500 gift cards* to use towards a Washington experience!
Complete your well-being assessment and the Washington Experience Giveaway activity in SmartHealth by the deadline to be entered into each drawing:
- Drawing 1: March 31, 2026
- Drawing 2: June 30, 2026
- Drawing 3: September 30, 2026
You only need to enter once to be eligible to win any of the drawings. See the FAQs for details.
*Gift cards were not purchased with state funds.
2. Register for the Positive Mindset challenge by February 25.
During the Positive Mindset challenge, you will get tips to help pause and appreciate the good in life. You will also receive encouragement to turn this positive practice into a healthy habit.
Register by February 25, 2026, to participate in the Positive Mindset challenge. Track your response (yes or no) to the daily challenge question, “Did you find a positive thought to focus on today?”. To earn 150 points, track your response on at least 21 days of the 28-day challenge.
The challenge starts February 18 and ends on March 17. You must register by 2/25/26 to participate.
About SmartHealth
SmartHealth is Washington State's voluntary wellness program that supports you on your journey toward living well. It is included in your PEBB benefits at no cost to you.
Whether you want to improve your sleep, get more active, build better connections, or manage stress, SmartHealth can help.
As you progress on your wellness journey, you may qualify for the $125 SmartHealth wellness incentive in 2027. Complete the well-being assessment (worth 800 points) and enough activities of your choice to earn a total of 2,000 points by November 30, 2026.
Watch this short SmartHealth overview video or visit SmartHealth (PEBB) to learn more!
Get instructions for logging into SmartHealth at Accessing SmartHealth.
WIN Mentoring Program
Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group Mentoring Program mentors are current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors are ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees.
The program’s goals are to facilitate a more culturally and ethnically diverse state workforce which, in turn, will allow us to serve our customers better, and to retain and support immigrant state employees in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive and advance their careers, as well as recruit new employees from the immigrant community.
Research shows that a good mentor inspires, motivates, stretches, connects, and helps develop your Emotional Intelligence. They also open your mind to your potential and opportunities. A good mentor can also provide a safe space to learn, experiment, and ask questions.
Become a WIN mentee
- Are you new to state service?
- Are you seeking guidance on how to manage your career goals?
- Do you need someone to talk to and share ideas with?
Get support from a WIN mentor. Become a WIN mentee.
- Start by meeting our mentors. Review their bios and see if there is someone you would feel comfortable connecting with.
- Establish a formal mentoring relationship by completing our online Mentoring Request Form
Become a WIN Mentor
Mentors must be current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors must be ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees. Submit a Mentor Application Form if you are interested in being a WIN Mentor.
Questions? Contact win@ofm.wa.gov.
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Get Involved with a BRG
Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. All BRGs have a charter, mission, goals and bylaws and contribute to an overall statewide business strategy. BRG members bring their unique knowledge and perspectives, making them an asset to state business needs, such as recruitment and retention.
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