This Mother’s Day, instead of sending cards and flowers, let’s prioritize what mothers really need. Moms don’t need a viral marketing campaign about how they’re super heroes, and they don’t need lawmakers just paying lip service to family values. Instead, it’s time we put our focus on the things that will actually make the lives of mothers and their families better:

• Policies to protect expectant mothers from losing their jobs. Just like we have laws that require reasonable accommodations for a worker with a disability, pregnant women should have the same guarantees that minor allowances will be made for their condition. For example, allowing them to carry a bottle of water or to sit down to work. Having job security and health care through a pregnancy is incredibly important for the economic welfare and health of a family.

• More investment in early childhood education and expanding affordable childcare options. Given that women are still the primary caregivers in the household, one of the most tangible things we can do to address the pay gap is provide high-quality, affordable childcare options. Doing this will allow women to continue working without taking a break from their careers and without spending all of their wages on childcare. The cost of childcare is a huge burden for working families, and if we want to support women and a stronger middle-class we need to make more of an investment in the programs that will help them the most.

Watch Sandra talk about what mothers really want on MSNBC:

• Ensure job protection and payment are part of our sick and family leave policies. Some states have made great progress on this issue, but between California state law and federal laws, there are holes. It is most often women who take on these caregiver roles for kids, older parents or other relatives in need. It is unacceptable to leave them unprotected when they need to take time off of work to care for a sick family member.

• End sexual assault on college campuses. Mothers deserve to know their children are safe at college, and schools must fulfill their commitment to respect and protect students.

In the State Senate, I will fight for smart public policy that does more to lift women up and provide a safety net for working mothers and their families. This Mother’s Day, stand with me and mothers everywhere.

Are you with us?

I stand with Sandra! On this Mother’s Day, let’s give mothers the support they deserve: sick leave, job protection, affordable childcare and an end to university sexual assault.