This month marks a year since the Me Too movement went viral as a hashtag on social media ( after having first been started in 2006 by Tarana Burke. ) This week, we've been hearing from several women in Illinois whose work in government has been affected.

This month marks a year since the Me Too movement went viral as a hashtag on social media ( after having first been started in 2006 by Tarana Burke. ) This week, we hear from several women in Illinois whose work in government has been affected.

This month marks a year since the Me Too movement went viral as a hashtag on social media ( after having first been started in 2006 by Tarana Burke. ) This week, we hear from several women in Illinois whose work in government has been affected.

This month marks a year since the Me Too movement went viral as a hashtag on social media ( after having first been started in 2006 by Tarana Burke. ) This week, we hear from several women in Illinois whose work in government has been affected. Today we hear from State Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez of Springfield who is the Republican spokesperson for the House Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Task Force .

This month marks a year since the Me Too movement went viral as a hashtag on social media ( after having first been started in 2006 by Tarana Burke. ) This week, we hear from several women in Illinois whose work in government has been affected. The first woman we spoke to is Susana Mendoza, state Comptroller and member of the Illinois Anti-harassment Equality and Access Panel .

For decades, women have been battling to break through the “ glass ceilings ” in their chosen fields. Females whose identities include an intersection of "minority" designations face increased obstacles when it comes to advancement. To the Front is an NPR Illinois series where we talk with female and nonbinary people about the way their identity intersects with their art and work.

Now retired, Lea Joy became part of the Springfield Police Department in 1983. She had three children and had been a social worker, but she felt too powerless in that role. She wanted to make things better.

For decades, women have been battling to break through the “ glass ceilings ” in their chosen fields. To the Front is an NPR Illinois series where we talk with female and nonbinary people about the way their identity intersects with their art and work.

Across the country, it appears that a cultural sea change is taking place. Sexism that has long been inherent in society is getting acknowledged perhaps more than ever, in large part due to the #MeToo movement and activist women who have organized as a result of the 2016 presidential election. It’s unclear what lasting effects might take hold.