(Photos courtesy of Ai-jen Poo and Reshma Saujani) |
By Marianne Schnall | Taking care of our family members is one of those critical, universal needs that most everyone experiences—whether it’s childcare, or caring for sick or elderly loved ones. Yet it is also one of those areas in our country where support systems and policies have been sorely lacking. The U.S. is one of only six countries that doesn’t have a paid leave program, and Americans are struggling to afford the care they need for their children and aging parents.
The lack of policies around care disproportionately affects women, often hampering their ability to advance in their careers or, in many cases, deterring them from even pursuing careers or leadership positions at all. It’s no wonder we don’t have more women leaders—they don’t have the resources or support they need.
In response to voters’ needs and demands, the issue of care has been receiving outsized attention during this year’s election season.
Reshma Saujani, a leading activist and founder of Moms First, “a national movement to center women in our economic recovery and champion public and private sector policies that support all moms,” went viral when she asked this question of Trump at an Economic Club of New York event: “If you win in November, can you commit to legislation making childcare affordable? And, if so, what specific piece of legislation will you advance?”
“He botched the answer,” said Saujani, “but in the days following, all the news cycle talked about was childcare. The issue finally was getting the attention that it deserves. On the morning shows, in every outlet, everybody was debating about how to fix the childcare crisis. It was a huge moment for moms across the country—their voices and concerns were finally being heard.” (Click here to read more) |
