Friends,

The cries for justice and equality across our nation are a reminder that we must do more than talk about our values: we must also live them. We must look for ways to build a better, more supportive community and remember that we are always stronger together.

Living our values: Ceremonial signing of the Virginia Values Act
Last week, I was proud to stand beside my fellow legislators as Governor Northam held a ceremonial signing of the Virginia Values Act.


This law extends existing state non-discrimination protections in public employment, housing, and credit to all Virginians regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. I thank the Governor for signing this bill, the Attorney General for providing its legal framework, and the bill’s patrons, as well as its numerous advocates, for shepherding its passage.

Re-building from COVID requires a significant investment in our caregiving economy
Recently, Joe Biden announced the third leg of his Build Back Better Plan, “The Caregiving Economy and Workforce Education Plan.” This is a topic that is deeply personal to me, and on Saturday, July 25, I was pleased to join a panel that included Congresswoman Judy Chu (California) for an AAPI Caregiving Economy Roundtable.

Sixteen years ago, my husband and I were among the 47% of early- to mid-career professionals in America who are a part of the sandwich generation. We had two young daughters, one still in preschool, and my husband’s elderly parents to take care of. My mother-in-law suffered from early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease and my father-in-law from cancer. The financial, emotional, and personal strains were enormous, as were the costs to professional careers that my husband and I were still developing. We understood then, and even more so now, that the enormous challenges we faced are shared by millions of American families across the country.

I’ve talked to so many Virginians who struggle every day with the reality of taking care of young children, elderly family members, and disabled loved ones. These are challenges that families cannot and should not face alone. It's imperative that these families and neighbors across our communities receive governmental support as they navigate these difficult circumstances.

When we consider a Caregiving Economy, we are really talking about two areas of investment

First, we’re talking about supporting families who need state and local government to play a role so that vulnerable individuals can receive the resources that they need. Families deserve assistance that enables them to take care of their loved ones inside their own homes which, in turn, allows for communities to remain healthier, happier, and stronger as a whole.

Secondly, we’re also calling for support for the millions of individuals who work in our caregiving economy. The current COVID-19 crisis has exposed many weak points in our society, and chief among these are the profound value of our essential workers who are the heart and soul of our caregiving economy. Whether we are talking about our childcare providers, our home healthcare workers, or the millions of individuals who provide vital domestic services every day to keep us safe and our environments healthy, we know that our economy and our society itself cannot function without the dedication and hard work of our caregivers.

A significant investment in our caregiving economy is essential to supporting and strengthening our Commonwealth, and that’s why it’s been a key priority for my staff and me since taking office. The Biden plan provides a blueprint for the significant investment in our care workers and offers the necessary relief that families, caregivers, and home healthcare providers are looking for across the nation, and also here in Virginia.

Final thoughts
As we navigate these difficult times together, I continue to reflect on the importance of celebrating our progress, looking for ways to build a better tomorrow, and the necessity of connecting as a community.

In closing this week, I wish the families who are celebrating a very joyous Eid al-Adha. This holiday, the Festival of the Sacrifice, gives Muslims around the world the opportunity to distribute food to the hungry and support charitable causes. And most importantly, it’s an occasion for families and friends to celebrate the blessings of community.

We are, and always will be, stronger together.

Please remember, if you need assistance or if you want to schedule a phone or conference call, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. You can fill out this form to request a meeting, or we can be reached by email at [email protected].

— Ghazala


P.S. My team set a goal to raise $5,200 this month so that we can increase our outreach, engagement, and communication with constituents across our district. So if you can, please chip in $25 or more towards our July operating costs to help expand our impact in District 10: [link removed]



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Senator Ghazala Hashmi was elected to represent Virginia Senate District 10 in 2019. She has led efforts in the General Assembly to support education, protect healthcare and the environment, and prevent gun violence. Senator Hashmi is committed to ensuring Virginia's government works for everyone.


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