John,

A new report from The New York Times confirms what we already know to be true: women are the backbone of our economy, especially in times of crisis.

We’re in awe of the brave women who are taking great personal risks to care for patients, stock grocery shelves, and keep our communities running.

And we’re outraged that, even though women are playing a critical role in the COVID-19 crisis, our leaders have failed to give us the protections we need to safely work or the compensation we deserve. Despite holding the majority of essential jobs, women still make just $0.79 for every $1.00 a man makes.

That’s why Women’s March is working tirelessly to lift up the stories of women essential workers, particularly women of color, and to fight for a Workers Bill of Rights that will protect the women on the frontlines of this crisis and beyond.

Will you chip in $5 to help us make sure that women’s labor is recognized as essential and compensated accordingly? Together, we’ll fight for a Workers Bill of Rights that protects women on the frontlines.

Men normally make up a majority of the workforce, but this crisis has flipped the script completely.

Here are some of the striking facts from the NYT report:

• Women of color are more likely to be doing essential jobs than anyone else.
• Women make up nearly 9 out of 10 nurses and nursing assistants, most respiratory therapists, a majority of pharmacists, and an overwhelming majority of pharmacy aides and technicians.
• More than two-thirds of the workers at grocery store checkouts and fast food counters are women.
• Of the 5.8 million people working health care jobs that pay less than $30,000 a year, 83% are women and 50% are non-white.
• Women account for 73% of the U.S. health care workers who have been infected since the outbreak began.

The facts make it clear that women will be the reason why we get through this pandemic. We’re feeding our families, giving oxygen to our neighbors in the hospital, and keeping our economy running.

We’re especially moved by the words of Constance Warren, a grocery store worker in New Orleans: “Don’t forget that we were open to serve you in your time of need.”

We promise to fight for women like Constance. We promise to make sure that every worker on the frontlines has paid sick leave, paid family leave, hazard pay, pay equality, robust and fair compensation, and necessary health and safety protections (including masks).

We promise to lift up the stories of women like Constance, and other women who are at the frontlines of this pandemic. And we promise to keep fighting until every woman, femme, and ally receives the recognition, compensation, and support they deserve.

Women’s March takes these promises seriously, which is why we’re ready to work tirelessly to make sure the next bill from Congress meets the Workers Bill of Rights. But we can’t accomplish this alone — we’re relying on small-dollar donors to fund our advocacy work. Can you chip in $5 to help out?

We understand that things might feel hopeless, John. But, throughout our country’s history, some of the most progressive policies we’ve passed came out of moments of crisis. Now is the time for each and every one of us — Black or white, Latino or Asian or Arab, Native or newcomer – to unite across differences to support each other and use our power to build a future where we are all safe and thriving.

There’s a lot left to fight for, which is why we hope you’ll be there fighting alongside your sisters and allies.

Together,

Women’s March