Let’s Rise Moms!
October 26, 2007 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
According to MomsRising, Today, the U.S. is one of only four countries that doesn’t have paid leave for new mothers. The others are Papua New Guinea, Swaziland and Liberia. We also lag behind in paid sick days and flexible work options so we can participate in our children’s schools and be at home before and after school hours.
A full three-quarters of mothers are in the workforce, yet mothers are 79% less likely to be hired than non-mothers with equal resumes and job experiences. Single mothers make just 60 cents to a man’s dollar.
Please donate today to make the MomsVote ‘08 campaign a reality: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2907
I love the Moms Rising position because they are not going to endorse one candidate. They are going to campaign so that EVERY candidate, Republicans and Democrats, understand that American Moms are over being treated with such a lack of respect and appreciation. And so are our kids.
Impossible? I’ll tell you what’s impossible . . .
Women won the right to vote when only men were allowed to vote.
More flexible employment policy that allows more parents time with their children?
Since women make up half the voting population and fathers have a vested interest in a better working environment for the family as well, well I’d call that totally achievable.
Check out yesterday’s story over at Solo Mother. She asks a lot of very valid questions about why women didn’t even vote in the last election.
You know, I had an idea on the drive in to work today: what about providing babysitters at voting locations? How many women don’t vote just because they don’t want to try and wrangle three crazy kids while they stand in line?
I’m going to talk to the local League of Women Voters about this. If we could do a fundraiser to hire babysitters on Election Day, at least just in our county to start with, imagine how many more women might vote!
Oh, and I wanted to add that initially I was thinking of ways to help people who can’t take off work to vote. Theoretically, you should be able to vote either before or after work since polls are open from 7AM to 7PM, but what if you have to take care of your kids before and after work?
Great idea Susanna. I like the way you’re thinking. We should be thinking of ways to encourage more access.
I wonder how many people don’t know about early voting? You can cast your vote at convenient early voting locations for about 2 weeks before the official election day. That way women can go there when it’s conventient for them. I’ve done it a few times.
Also, employers are legally required to give time to vote. Spouses, babysitters, neighbors, other mothers.
I mean, come ladies – it’s important enough to think of ways around the challenges.