UN Women + Uber = Vision for Equality

In 1995, world leaders followed a call by the United Nations and gathered in Beijing to product an unprecedented plan for advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women everywhere.

Today, on the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, we are proud to share with The Uber Community that we are embarking on a new global partnership with UN Women with the goal of accelerating economic opportunity for women. As part of our commitment to this goal, Uber will create 1,000,000 jobs for women as drivers on the Uber platform by 2020.

Women in Oklahoma are already taking advantage of the safe, flexible and equitable earning opportunities offered by the Uber platform. Kelli and Jann, two of our top partners featured below, have special and unique stories.

[h2 class=”” span=””]This is Kelli.[/h2]

While in between jobs, Kelli started making soap as a hobby. Eventually, Kelli decided to sell her soap at Tulsa’s Blue Dome Arts Festival and before she knew it, she was selling her soap in 22 different stores in the Tulsa are.

Rather than just selling her soaps in stores around town, Kelli decided to open up her own store in Tulsa, Okie Crowe. “Transforming from a wholesale business to a retail business was quite a different ball game,” says Kelli.

Putting every dime that she made back into her business, Kelli was seeking a supplemental income opportunity that would still allow her to pursue her passion. Since joining Uber, Kelli has found an unprecedented amount of flexibility, while improving her economic position.

“At the end of the day, Uber has truly been a blessing for me. I am trying to pursue my dreams and make my business successful. By turning on my app, I am given an additional income opportunity that was not previously available. On days when I am anxious about my income, I jump in my car, turn on my app, and drive.”

[h2 class=”” span=””]This is Jann.[/h2]

After having her daughter, Jann was able to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. Unfortunately, when Jann’s husband was laid off they needed to find other ways to support their family. Initially, Jann contributed by freelancing graphic art / video work from home. However, the time commitment and schedule wasn’t working for Jann and so, when she heard about Uber while reading a local blog she signed up to partner and immediately became hooked.

I was bit by the Uber bug,” Jann says. “Being a driver is FUN! I get to meet all sorts of people. Also, being a stay-at-home mom for so many years, I often stayed within the 5 mile radius around my home. Now that I drive, I get to explore the many neighborhoods that Tulsa has to offer.

With Uber, Jann states that she can “go online when [she’s] available,” and she is “always there for [her] family.”

“I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity,” says Jann. “With my aging parents and my daughter in school, the flexibility is so wonderful.”

-Team Uber Oklahoma