Melanie Ross Levin, Director of Outreach

Melanie Ross Levin is currently serving as the Director of Outreach focusing on education, employment, and family economic security issues. Prior to joining the Center, Ms. Ross Levin served as the Field Director for the 2006 campaign of Senator Thomas Carper, D-Del.; worked in the Delaware State Legislature; and consulted in Delaware for Vision 2015, a new education reform initiative. She also conducted grassroots organizing around judicial nominations for Planned Parenthood of Delaware. Ms. Ross Levin received her master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware and her bachelor's degree in Political Science and Women's Studies from the University of Delaware.

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My Take

Baby Steps: Unemployment Insurance Temporarily Extended Again

Posted by Melanie Ross Levin, Director of Outreach | Posted on: March 03, 2010 at 10:14 pm

By Melanie Ross Levin, Outreach Manager,
National Women's Law Center

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Tags: Employment, Poverty & Income Support, Tax & Budget | Add new comment

Bunning Does It Again - A Block on Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Posted by Melanie Ross Levin, Director of Outreach | Posted on: March 01, 2010 at 10:01 pm

by Melanie Ross Levin, Outreach Manager, 
National Women’s Law Center 

Today, Senator Jim Bunning once again blocked passage of extending unemployment insurance benefits, COBRA subsidies and other key programs.   

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Tags: Employment, Poverty & Income Support | 1 comment

From Bimbo to Binary: Barbie Turns Geek Chic

Posted by Melanie Ross Levin, Director of Outreach | Posted on: February 16, 2010 at 09:15 pm

by Melanie Ross Levin, Outreach Manager,
National Women’s Law Center 

Growing up as a blonde, I was never a big fan of Barbie. Her feet were way too pointy and her chest was just ridiculous.

But my biggest turnoffs were the stereotypical, ditsy occupations, habits and hobbies that the dolls always seemed to have. Maybe it was because I was a tomboy — I preferred sports to fashion — but whatever the reason, Barbie was not-so-appealing to me as a kid.

I’m sure many of you remember the infamous “Math class is tough” Barbie from 1992. Although Mattel dropped the offensive phrase that time, the whole episode left a lasting impression, and at the young age of 12, I already knew Barbie was not going to cut it for my future children.

Now that I’m 29 and pregnant with a little girl, the question has resurfaced — To Barbie, or not to Barbie?

But there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon that’s making me reassess the decision I made in middle school.

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Tags: Employment | 1 comment

Ledbetter Anniversary: A Time to Move Forward on Paycheck Fairness

Posted by Melanie Ross Levin, Director of Outreach | Posted on: January 12, 2010 at 08:39 pm

by Melanie Ross Levin, Outreach Manager,
National Women’s Law Center 

January is a time to reflect on accomplishments of the past year and the work that is still ahead.

In the fight to end pay discrimination against women, 2009 was a year to celebrate. On January 29, 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This bill restored the protection against pay discrimination that was stripped away by the Supreme Court’s decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Once again, individuals subjected to unlawful pay discrimination are able to effectively assert their rights under federal anti-discrimination laws.

On a personal note, it was quite a way to kick off 2009. After working on the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act non-stop, it was awe-inspiring to be present when President Obama signed the bill into law – the very first of his Administration. But as we all celebrated, Lilly Ledbetter reminded everyone in attendance that the fight is not over: "With this bill in place, we now can move forward to where we all hope to be — improving the law, not just restoring it," she pointed out.

The next step for moving forward is passing the Paycheck Fairness Act.

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Tags: Employment, Judges & the Courts | 1 comment

Would-Be Women Astronauts Denied the Right to Serve

Posted by Melanie Ross Levin, Director of Outreach | Posted on: October 08, 2009 at 04:16 pm

by Melanie Ross Levin, Outreach Manager,
National Women’s Law Center 

In the 1950s, as the space race was heating up, NASA trained a number of women to serve as astronauts. Sadly, that training was as far as they got.

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Tags: Employment | Add new comment