NDWA NEWSLETTER  |  JUNE 2024

Join us in celebrating the power of domestic workers this International Domestic Workers Day by visiting and following us on Instagram and sharing our posts.

Even in countries like the U.S. that haven't yet ratified it, Convention 189 serves as a powerful tool to demand better treatment and working conditions.

To date, we've secured domestic workers bills of rights and protections in 11 states, 2 major cities, and the District of Columbia, establishing critical protections and setting standards for fair treatment in a sector where none previously existed. 

Another major victory came this past April when Vice President Harris announced new measures to support care workers, including the HCBS rule, which ensures fair compensation. Let's build on this momentum. Join our upcoming webinar to learn more about the finalized rule.

Together, we can transform the care industry!

These historic changes are a big step forward for the domestic worker movement. They promise fairer wages, better working conditions, and improved care for those who need it most.

While we celebrate these hard-won victories, we recognize that the fight for dignity, respect, and safety for all domestic workers is far from over. Too many domestic workers still face low wages, lack of benefits, and precarious working conditions. 

To address critical gaps in our country’s labor protection standards, a federal bill — the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights — was re-introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Senator Ben Ray Luján (NM), and Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA) to Congress just days ago.

While this re-introduction marks a pivotal step toward national protection, we need your help to push every member of Congress to support a National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights – add your name now!

Together, we can build a world where all workers are valued, respected, and protected.

Miami-Dade County, Florida

Domestic workers in Miami gathered on June 15th to demand the passage of a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights for the nearly 60,000 domestic workers in Miami-Dade County. 

This event was an opportunity to hear directly from workers about the challenges they face, like wage theft and discrimination, and to amplify their voices in the fight for better protections.

Macon, Georgia

On June 15, the Georgia chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) hosted a comprehensive day of events, to honor care workers and highlight their contributions. The day included a worker deployment, an unveiling of a new mural created by Indigenous artist Mer Young, and an evening program at the Harriet Tubman Museum.

These events aim to celebrate International Domestic Workers Day and Juneteenth, emphasizing the historical and ongoing struggles for justice and recognition of domestic workers.

New York City, New York

On Thursday, May 30, Senator Jessica Ramos issued a Resolution honoring Dorothy Bolden and domestic workers in New York State.This Resolution acknowledged the invaluable contributions of domestic workers, who are essential to the functioning of households and the broader economy.

Today, June 16, Senator Jessica Ramos will issue a similar proclamation in New York City. This resolution honors New York City’s domestic workers, who play a crucial role in propelling the city’s economy, which is one of the wealthiest yet most unequal cities in the world. The New York Chapter and We Dream in Black-NY organized events to mark the proclamations, celebrate the legacy of Dorothy Bolden, raise awareness about the challenges domestic workers face, and promote legislative efforts to improve their working conditions and rights.

Win us up to $25,000 with #HalfmyDAF by June 28 

Unlock the power of your donor advised fund (DAF) with #HalfMyDAF! Until June 28, your contributions can have double the impact through dollar-for-dollar matching, up to $10,000 if you can commit to allocating half of your DAF by September of this year.

This is an incredible opportunity for you to double your impact. And, NDWA could also receive a $25,000 grant! Since we focus on racial equity and strengthening our democracy through our civic engagement outreach, our chances for receiving a matching grant are even greater! 

All you have to do is make a DAF donation and complete the #HalfMyDAF commitment form by June 28. 

This IDWD, we're shining a spotlight on an issue deeply intertwined with the domestic worker movement: the urgent need for immigration reform. Many domestic workers are immigrants, representing countries from across the globe, and the fear of deportation and family separation casts a long shadow over their lives and the well-being of their families.

An estimated 1.3 million undocumented spouses married to U.S. citizens live under constant threat of being torn apart from their loved ones. This injustice not only affects these families directly but also impacts the stability and security of the entire domestic workforce. When domestic workers are afraid to speak out against unfair treatment or unsafe working conditions for fear of deportation, it weakens the entire movement for fair wages and safe workplaces.

The White House has the power to provide much-needed relief through an executive order. By granting work permits to undocumented spouses married to US citizens, we can make home safe for a million families and empower domestic workers to advocate for their rights without fear.

Join us in calling on the White House to take action! Your voice matters. By signing our petition and sharing it with your network, you can help create a groundswell of support for immigrant families and domestic workers. 

This Month in Domestic Worker History

In celebration of Pride Month, we honor the legacy of Mabel Hampton, a remarkable figure in both the LGBTQ+ and domestic worker communities. 

During the Harlem Renaissance, Mabel transitioned from jazz dancing to domestic work to secure a stable income. Despite the dangers of proclaiming a queer identity in such an intimate work environment, Mabel balanced her professional life with her social advocacy. Her close relationship with writer Joan Nestle, who co-founded the Lesbian Herstory Archives, highlights her significant contributions to preserving lesbian history. 

Mabel's story illuminates the resilience and solidarity of working-class Black lesbians, many of whom were domestic workers during this era. Explore more about her inspiring journey and the broader domestic worker movement by visiting our interactive timeline.                                                 

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 This email was sent by the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the nation's leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States.

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