The New Guard

Old-world power structures are being upended by women-led groups rewriting the rules of business, politics and activism

- Ella Ceron and Claire Ballentine, With Taylor Johnson

THE ORGANIZERS

It started with a 200-worker walkout in New York City, coordinated by labor and community groups. Ten years later, the Fight for 15 movement has become a global phenomenon, touching 300 cities and six continents. Angered by commonplace injuries like cooking and oil burns, abusive customers and unfair pay, thousands of workers have participated in protests and walkouts, helping spur change such as new legislation to get a higher minimum wage in Seattle and more political power for restaurant workers in California. “I have learned so much about my rights. I knew nothing before I joined,” says Guillermina Blancas, who’s worked in fast-food restaurants for 23 years. “The most important thing is that it’s an all-for-one kind of fight.”

THE ACTIVISTS