Hi Friend,
March 16th marked the one year anniversary of the Atlanta spa shootings, and as we remember the victims, survivors, and their families, we continue to call for the dismantling of the racism, sexism, and classism that perpetuates violence in our communities.
As I reflect on how to break free from these oppressive structures and build safe, equitable, and caring communities, I am thinking about the decisions the Supreme Court will make this summer around reproductive justice, voting rights and the impact they will have on women and working families. At the same time I’m celebrating the nomination of the first Black woman, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, to that same court and am hopeful her voice and experience will fight for equitable policies from her seat.
In Solidarity,
Leng Leng Chancey
Spotlight
On March 15th we recognized Equal Pay Day– or the day that women, on average, would have to work into the new year to make what a white man did in 2021. But the fight to achieve equal pay is year-round, because women of color, moms, and LGBTQIA+ workers must work even further into the year to do the same.
That’s why we have to keep the conversation going about equal pay all year long. We’ve created a set of tools to help you start the conversation about pay in your workplace, online, or in your community. You can start by:
- Downloading or requesting free copies of our pocket guide to equal pay to share with your coworkers, friends, or community members
- Visiting our activist toolkit to download social media posts to start the conversation online
- Learn more about legislation that can help and how to email your representative in our activist toolkit
We’re thrilled to be joined by technology leader UKG in our work to achieve equal pay. Together with UKG, we are focusing on raising awareness, dismantling the structures and systems that perpetuate the wage gap, and advocating for solutions that make a difference. Read more about our partnership.
Highlights
COLORADO
Read more about the mobile home protection bill we’re advocating for that includes a cap on rent increases. Last week, the bill passed the committee vote 8 to 5.
GEORGIA
Georgia might be the “#1 place to do business”, but workers are getting the short end of the stick. This month’s Virtual Chapter Meeting included a worker rights roundtable discussion.
WISCONSIN
9to5 Wisconsin is celebrating the signing of six weeks of paid parental leave for City of Milwaukee employees. Watch this story to see the signing and what State Director Christina Thor said about the policy.
Now Hiring
Communications Coordinator: Colorado
Senior Policy & Campaign Strategist: Colorado
Spanish/English Bilingual Climate Justice Canvasser: Colorado– Part-Time
Housing & Utility Manager: Atlanta or remote in GA
Voter Registration Canvassers: Macon and Savannah– Part Time
What We’re Reading
The Housing Crisis Led Them to Basement Apartments. Climate Change Flooded Them Out.
The issues that affect our families are intersectional. When families are forced to live in unsafe apartments because that’s what they can afford, and those unsafe apartments flood due to climate change, it’s clear how these issues intersect. Across the country, economically disadvantaged families are more likely to live in unsafe housing prone to floods, fire hazards, pollution or other hazards.
Black Women Need Access to Paid Family and Medical Leave
Black women participate in the labor force at some of the highest rates among all groups. But, Black women also work disproportionately in low-paid jobs with few benefits. This article illustrates that when Black women need to take leave from their jobs, more than 6 in 10 are not able to take leave at all, or must take leave without pay, reinforcing the positive impact paid leave for all would have on their lives.
Pay Gap Persists Even as Women’s Soccer Scores Big Settlement
The US women’s soccer team scored a victory and gained equal pay this month, but 9to5 Executive Director Leng Leng Chancey adds “Systemic barriers still stop low-wage workers from beginning the process to file a lawsuit. It’s great that women athletes can do this, but it’s still not good enough.”
Two years into pandemic, Ga. women still struggle to return to jobs
The rate of women returning to work was much lower than men– and Black women even saw a decrease in the workforce. 9to5 Georgia Director Mica Whitfield shares how paid leave could help.
For Women, Equal Pay Day Is in March—But Equal Earnings Day Is Not Until *October*
When we talk about the wage gap, we’re usually just talking about the money made per hour by women compared to men, but a recent study shows that when all forms of compensation– like retirement, health insurance, bonuses, and health insurance are accounted for– women, on average, would have to work until October to make what men did.