Celebrate Women’s Equality Day – with Action!

On Aug 26th, 2011 we will celebrate the 91st anniversary of women winning the right to vote; now celebrated as Women’s Equality Day.  While much has changed for working women in the past 90 years, most workplace policies are still very much ‘last century’.  Currently over 40 million workers do not have access to one paid sick day.  This year on Aug 26th we need you to take action to win change!

Tina, an Activist Network Member in New York, has already committed to hold an event in her local community.   She says that 9to5’s National Day of Action is important because it’s  a chance to get coverage in states where there is not enough support for working women’s issues. It is also a good way to set a goal and pick a day where people will remember to take action for paid sick days.

 For Tina, paid sick days are especially important because, “When my kids were little I almost had a nervous breakdown because I did not have enough sick days.  I was in hell, plain and simple.  Making the decision to stay home with my sick kids put my job at risk.  A lot of managers who don’t have kids don’t understand why parents need paid sick days.  Without paid sick days legislation, we are hurting working parents, children and society.  A parent should be home if their kids are sick, taking care of their family.  I don’t ever want to see another mother go through what I did.  Anything I can do to prevent that, I will do.”

Working women need time to care, both for themselves and their family members when they are sick!  Many people are afraid to ask for paid sick days at their job for fear of repercussions.  Aug. 26th is a time for 9to5 members across the country to speak up and take action so that all workers can access paid sick days. 

Hosting an event in your local community can be very easy!  Some ideas include collecting petition signatures, holding a social gathering at your house, or writing a letter to the editor.  For help or support in participating in the National Day of Action please contact Online Organizer Valerie Thelen or call 404-222-0001.