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MSNBC: What Moms Really Need this Mother’s Day

By Sandra Fluke on May 09, 2014


8th-post-featured

Originally published on MSBNC.

For Mother’s Day this year, instead of sending cards and flowers, I’d like to see us embrace things mothers really need the most. Companies love viral marketing campaigns about how mothers are extraordinary, and lots of lawmakers give lip service to the importance of family values. Instead of asking mothers to be super human, it’s time we put our focus on policies that will actually make the lives of mothers and their families better.

Sign Sandra's petition to stand with moms here.

Watch Sandra on The Ed Show talking about a real way to honor mothers:

Let’s start with championing 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. Folks who care about family values should fight for families to have these basic rights.

Second, we can support mothers by investing more in early childhood education and expanding affordable childcare options. We had a robust conversation last month around Equal Pay Day and the factors that hold women back from making as much as their male counterparts. 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. We need better childcare options so women can continue to work without taking a break from their careers and without spending all of their wages on childcare.

We know the years women take out of the workforce will depress their wages for most of their careers, and we also know reentry into the workforce can be challenging. Many of the women staying home are not there out of choice, but because they cannot find work. We also know that our economy does better overall when more women participate in the workforce. We must support those women who need to return to work by providing affordable childcare – we simply can’t afford not to.

The conversation around pay equity often fixates on whether pay discrimination still exists. Although discrimination is part of wage inequity, our failure to adequately support women workers is a systemic flaw that continues to hold women and families back. I am running for California State Senate to address these issues. I believe the state government must lead by example, so I have proposed an audit of government workers to identify if there is pay discrimination in our state. With more women than ever before providing the sole paycheck or the majority of take home pay for households, we are putting families and our economy at risk by not doing more to protect women workers.

Third, it’s critically important to 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. Again, we know 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.

Finally, it is time we 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. Much of the work I have done as a social justice attorney has been representing victims of gender-based violence, and I fought for the Violence Against Women Act’s SaVE provisions to make our campuses safer.

We do all mothers a disservice when we expect them to figure out how to pay for childcare that costs $20,000 a year or sacrifice their jobs to take care of a sick family member. Our lawmakers must find ways to create smart public policy that does more to lift women up and provide a safety net for working mothers and their families. I hope this Mother’s Day services as a reminder that on the local, state and federal level, there is so much work to be done.

Sandra Fluke is an attorney and women’s rights activist running for California State Senate.

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Endorsements

  • Sandra Fluke is a champion for California women and their families. She bravely spoke up on Capitol Hill in defense of contraceptive coverage and has been a tireless advocate in California on behalf of legislation like last year’s Abortion Access Bill (AB 154, Atkins). She is not only a pro-choice candidate, but part of a new generation of progressive leaders fighting for reproductive justice. In the Senate, Sandra will join a committed pro-choice majority. Endorsing Sandra was an obvious choice, because we know that she will be a champion and leader for reproductive rights in Sacramento. We’re so excited to help her get there.

    -Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

  • She is one of a fresh, new generation of feminists, and it is exciting to see her take this step in her political career. I know Sandra will fight in Sacramento for progressive values and change to better the lives of everyone in her district. I look forward to supporting her campaign from now until Election Day!

    -Gloria Steinem

  • Although I would have loved to have her as a colleague in Congress, the people of the 26th Senate District will be lucky to have Sandra fighting for them. Sandra will be able to create the progressive change in Sacramento that unfortunately Congress is unable to achieve in this political climate. This is a great first step for Sandra’s political career and I wholeheartedly endorse her for State Senate.

    -Congresswoman Janice Hahn

  • I am thrilled to endorse Sandra’s bid for State Senate. She is a true progressive leader who has already worked to pass important legislation here in California. As chair of the Education Committee, I know the importance of early childhood education, one of many issues Sandra has championed. Her future constituents will be lucky to have her be their voice in Sacramento.

    -Carol Liu

  • I’ve had the privilege of working with Sandra Fluke several times. I’m impressed with her expertise and eloquence. She is just the kind of advocate with a fresh perspective that we need in Sacramento. I’m confident Sandra will stand up for what is right to protect reproductive freedom, and she’ll be a strong voice as a leader from within a new generation of progressives. I’m proud to support her for election to the California Senate.

    -Sarah Weddington, Attorney who argued the Roe v. Wade case

  • I am pleased and delighted to endorse Sandra for the State Senate. Sandra and I have worked together on legislation to advance issues of gender equality and reproductive justice and as Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud to offer her my support.

    -State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid for California State Senate. Sandra is a strong, hardworking, and dedicated individual with an impressive passion for public service. She is a strong role model and is the right choice to fight for equality and progress in Sacramento.

    -Jennifer Siebel Newsom

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid to serve in the California State Senate. Sandra has long been a fearless advocate for women’s rights especially those of women veterans. I am confident that she will, with unwavering courage and endless commitment, continue to serve all who have served our country.

    -Kristen Kavanaugh, Chair, CDP Veterans’ Caucus, Committee on Women Veterans

  • During my 2012 campaign, Sandra came to Rochester and stood with me. I got to know her and I was deeply impressed with her willingness to fight for what she believed in. She remains a champion for women’s health, and has spoken out this year in support of equal pay and access to contraception. She also speaks out for issues that don’t get as much coverage: human trafficking, skyrocketing student loan debt and workers’ rights. I’m proud to support Sandra’s run for State Senate.

    -U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee

  • Sandra Fluke is a fighter, and I know she will make a real difference in the lives of her constituents. Sandra is an incredibly effective champion for the issues that matter to Angelenos. I’m impressed by the work she’s done for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as her legislative advocacy for worker protections and access to education. I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate.

    -Honorable Joy Picus, Former Los Angeles City Councilmember

  • I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate. From our water crisis, to fracking, to the region’s significant transportation challenges – we need an environmental champion in the State Senate fighting every day to protect our communities, and Sandra is that champion. Sandra is a pragmatic and experienced leader who will be a strong advocate for the environment.

    -Nancy Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

  • As a veteran and survivor of sexual assault in the military, I have learned that real strength is the courage to stand up in the face of adversity regardless of how tall the challenge may seem. I support Sandra Fluke because she has the strength and dedication required to represent women and veterans and will ensure that veteran issues are a top priority when she goes to Sacramento.

    -Kate Weber, Mom, Veteran, Advocate, Survivor. 2013 Veteran of the year by the California Democratic Party and Woman Veteran Leader of the Year by Cal Vet

  • In 2012 when I was running for Congress, Sandra came and stood with me. I got to know her as we campaigned together, and I was incredibly impressed by her commitment to California and her willingness to fight for change. Sandra is definitely never one to back down from a challenge! I’m proud to stand with her now and I fully endorse her campaign for State Senate.

    -Congressman Scott Peters

  • I’m endorsing Sandra’s run for California State Senate. She represents a new generation of progressive leadership and she’ll be a fresh voice in government. I’m standing with Sandra and I hope you will, too.​

    -Congressman Joaquin Castro

  • I am so happy to endorse my friend, Sandra Fluke! Sandra has been a strong advocate for social justice and the LGBTQ community. Even before she was known on the national stage, she co-founded a statewide coalition that passed legislation to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ people in family court, helping protect parents like mine. I know she’ll be a fighter for her constituents and she’ll bring to Sacramento a fresh perspective on progressive issues.

    -Zach Wahls, LGBTQ Rights Activist

  • I strongly admire Sandra’s public service on a number of issues and I am so excited for her to step forward and run for State Senate. Sandra Fluke will be an effective voice for her community and her generation.

    -Christine Pelosi, Chair, Women’s Caucus, California Democratic Party

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