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Ai-jen Poo ’96 co-founded
Domestic Workers United
and now is director of the
National Domestic Workers
Alliance. She identifies with
the tiger, her Chinese zodiac
sign, and draws upon what
she calls her “inner tiger”
for courage as she works
to better conditions and
benefits for nannies,
housekeepers and
caregivers.
PHOTO: MAX VADUKUL
COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY
The Home Front
Ai-jen Poo ’96 gives domestic workers a voice
B y Nat h a l i e A l o n s o ’08
Ai-jen Poo ’96 spent her formative
years as a Columbia Lion, but as an advocate for domestic workers she identifies more closely
with the tiger, her Chinese zodiac sign. So much, in fact, that she had its likeness tattooed on
her right arm when she was in her mid-20s.
Baring no teeth, Poo’s tiger sports a penetrating stare that conveys inner strength rather
than ferociousness. The unexpected image mirrors the stalwart yet heartfelt approach with
which Poo, one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world for 2012, has
procured legal protections for nannies, housekeepers and caregivers to the elderly. This overwhelmingly
female workforce has historically been excluded from labor rights laws, making
its members — most of them immigrants, legal and illegal — vulnerable to underpayment,
inhumane working conditions, exploitation and harassment.
“The women who do domestic work — whether they are nannies or caregivers for the
elderly — really take pride in the work that they do. They love the people they take care of,”
says Poo, who in 2000 started Domestic Workers United (DWU, domesticworkersunited.
org), an organization that mobilizes immigrant domestic workers in New York City, and
now is director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA, domesticworkers.org).
“We believe it’s their work that makes all other work possible. And so it’s really important
that it be recognized and respected as dignified, professional work.
FALL 2012
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