“A woman is like a tea bag—you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Former UNA-USA Board Chairwoman
Members of the UNA Women Affinity Group advocate for UN programs that advance women and girls’ rights and promote women empowerment on a global scale. Participation in UNA Women is open to any current UNA-USA member. If you’re already a member, email membership@unausa.org for instructions on how to join UNA Women.
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“A woman is like a tea bag—you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Former UNA-USA Board Chairwoman
Lady Tee Thompson, UNA Women Chair
Lady Thompson, a preeminent advocate for human rights and labor trafficking prevention, ardently empowers women and marginalized communities. Her extensive portfolio includes championing disability rights, agricultural capacity building, and advancing gender equality. Her impact spans 14 countries, where she has propelled economic growth to benefit over 1 million people through strategic initiatives. Renowned for fostering cross-sectoral and international collaborations, she has transformed startups from business concepts to $60 million enterprises.
Globally, Lady Thompson conducts training sessions to promote financial independence for youth, women, and survivors of labor trafficking. Her dedication to women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship was notably recognized with her designation as Mentor of the Year by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). As a fervent advocate who is the chairperson of UNA Women for United Nations Association of the USA (UNAUSA) with over 20,000 members, promoting CEDAW and SDGs.
In her capacity as a Human Trafficking Fellow under the Department of Health and Human Services and OTIP via NHTTAC, Lady Thompson strives to prevent human trafficking among youth and BIPOCs. Her significant contributions to the UN include a joint consultation on racial discrimination in the U.S. Additionally, she served as a Fulbright Specialist from 2018-2023 and as a Global Advisory Council member for G100 on Leadership and Entrepreneurship Education.
Lady Thompson has received numerous accolades for her outstanding societal contributions in combating human trafficking, including her recent appointment as an Ambassador with the International Society of Diplomats. In May 2024, she received a Commendation from Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
As CEO of AgroBiz, a capacity-building organization for agriculture and entrepreneurship, Lady Thompson’s contributions have been acknowledged by notable figures, including former President Obama, with the Black History Achievement Award from Allegheny County.. She holds a BA in Legal Administration and an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy, residing in Detroit, Michigan.
Recently, UN Dispatch host Mark Goldberg moderated a UN75 consultation organized by UNA Women to discuss gender equality. Highlights from the consultation, including an interview with UN Foundation’s Vice President of Girls and Women Strategy Michelle Milford Morse and a Q&A session with participants, are captured in the latest episode of UN Dispatch.
Answering the United Nations’ call for global elimination of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, UNA Women, an Affinity Group of UNA-USA, hosts this CSW66 parallel program to explore the impact of women and girls affected by forever chemicals, which have been found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products, since the 1930s. This panel will feature World Health Organization Director – Dr. Maria Neira – and UNA-USA champions – Himaja Nagireddy and Teena Halbig – who will discuss how forever chemicals have severe implications to public health and the environment.
Amanda McRae, Director of UN Advocacy for Women Enabled International, speaks about the organization’s work to advance the rights of women and girls living with disabilities around the world. Women living with a disabilities also share their experiences and how local citizens can create more culturally sensitive and inclusive communities and public spaces.
This year, we are taking part in the national celebration of the Centennial of the 19th Amendment, which marks 100 years of women’s suffrage in the United States.
Empower women to be active participants and leaders in the political process by planning a coffee chat with our new toolkit, which outlines important talking points, social media guidelines, and educational resources.
Tuesday, March 8, marks International Women’s Day. Looking for ideas to celebrate the gender equality champions in your community?