paid family leave issues in political discussion

[Guest guest]

Oh my, never thought I'd get into political postings, but there is so

much needing attention. Here's a clickable link if you like. I

believe it is powerful to take a moment and give it your

prayer/attention as you feel to.

 

Namaste;

Ysha

 

What is Paid Family Leave?

 

While the United States does have 12 weeks of unpaid leave to new

parents and for family and medical reasons under the Family and

Medical Leave Act (FMLA), it is one of only four countries in the

world that does not offer paid leave to new mothers. Studies show that

unpaid leave does not offer the same benefits to health and society as

paid leave. Paid leave lowers the infant mortality rate and decreases

wage gaps between men and women. In the U.S., we talk about family

values, but we don't yet have the policies that other countries do to

actually support families. We can change this, with your help.

 

Dear MomsRising Member,

 

On Monday, I got a powerful reminder of the impact one passionate

person can have on a legislative debate. In New Jersey, a

MomsRising.org member named Margaret captivated a New Jersey

Legislative Committee, supporting paid family leave with her own story:

 

" As we discuss [Paid Family Leave] I keep thinking about a time

when I was in college and my father was dying of cancer. My mother had

taken some time off work during his surgery and chemotherapy, but she

couldn't take more time off. There was a mortgage to pay and teenagers

to feed. As his condition got worse, there were periods when he was

home alone for many hours. I remember my sister, who was 17 at the

time, was afraid to come home from high school, afraid that he might

have died during the day.

 

As it happened my father died in a hospital, late one night with

my mother and one of my brothers beside him. But I have often wondered

how many people are in this situation, unable to take time off from

work to care for the dying. And I wonder how many people die alone,

while their families are out working. No one should have to die alone.

For me, that's what this bill is about. "

 

Margaret's testimony made a difference in New Jersey, where paid

family leave legislation is quickly moving forward. California passed

a policy several years ago. And MomsRising.org members helped pass

paid family leave last year in Washington State. We can use the power

we've generated in the states to move the nation.

 

Tell the Presidential candidates, " We can't wait for state-by-state,

we need paid family leave now. "

http://www.momsrising.org/email_the_candidates

 

Candidates talk about bringing new ideas and leadership to this

country. But none of those promises will become policy unless they

know that we are paying attention -- and we want action.

 

Pass this email on to your friends and family so they can email the

leading candidates, too. Together, we can build a truly

family-friendly America.

 

Thank you!

 

--Katie, Kristin, Joan, Margaret, Donna, Anita and the MomsRising.org Team