Jack: 

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on women in the workforce—particularly on women of color. Just consider these numbers:

• The U.S. economy lost 140,000 jobs in December—all of them held by women.

• Last month, 9.1% of Latinas and 8.4% of Black women were unemployed, compared to 5.7% of white women.

• Last fall, one in four women said they were considering “downshifting” their careers or leaving the workforce entirely due to the pandemic.

We urgently need national paid family and medical leave so that no one needs to choose between a paycheck and their family or public health—and I’m grateful that President Biden has endorsed this policy to ensure we build a better tomorrow.

But if we’re going to get this done, I need your help. The data doesn’t paint a full picture: I’ve always felt that the stories of individual Americans are the most powerful way to build support for a cause. 

If you’re comfortable, please take a moment to share what paid leave means to you. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing your stories to help make the case for why it is critical that Congress pass paid leave.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Yesterday, our country turned a page—and we all breathed an enormous sigh of relief. But we have so much work to do to enact President Biden’s agenda and get desperately needed support to American families. 

Thank you for joining me in this fight.

-Kirsten