by Ellen Bravo
Nearly two decades ago, I was among a small group of women who helped found the Family Values @ Work network. I had given birth twice with no paid leave, and had a job when my children were young where I was told I couldn’t be sick for five years. As an activist for gender and racial justice, I knew we could never achieve that if we didn’t revalue care. Doing so required new policies like paid family and medical leave, and also paid sick and safe days.
The founders of FV@W wanted to be sure every working person in the U.S. could be present for the ones they love, both for routine illness and for times when people need extended care. But we were aware that the path to national laws that cover everyone had to go through the states. That’s how we would build the power, the models and the momentum for the kinds of changes we needed.
We went to two funders at the Ford and Annie E. Casey Foundations who saw the connection between the policies we want and the focus of their work: quality jobs and reducing the high cost of being poor. These funders also understood the importance of community-driven solutions. They gave us a seed grant to create a new model that brought together grassroots groups to raise money together, share resources and also share strategy, messaging and organizing lessons.
Since then, we’ve focused on strengthening and connecting local and state coalitions, rooted in their own communities, but linked to form a national movement so they could learn from each other and pave the way for national policies. Over the years we grew from eight states to twenty-seven, representing thousands of grassroots groups in state coalitions. Together with other partners, this network has now won paid family and medical leave in 9 states and the District of Columbia, and paid sick and safe days in dozens of cities and states. As a result, more than 55 million working people and their families have new access to these critical policies. We’ve successfully made the case for the change we need — time to care that’s affordable and secure, no matter where you live, what kind of work you do or who you love.
We can quantify those successes. Even more important, we’ve created vehicles for people to share what impact these wins have had on their lives, what it’s meant to become an activist, and why they are in this for the long haul.
When we started FV@W, no one was connecting poverty, employment, caregiving, equity and good jobs. Our peer network helped to change that.
The group that met for the first time at the end of 2003 was predominantly white women. From the start we set a goal of transforming that into the network we have today: both staff and board are led by powerful women of color. The member coalitions are fostering and centering the leadership of those most impacted by the lack of leave. We are committed to having the work driven by these workers’ needs and engagement.
It’s been the honor of a lifetime to be part of this process. I’m especially proud that we’ve changed the terms of the debate. Those who opposed us tried to minimize the need and trivialize our solutions. But we have demonstrated the intended consequences of the change we’re fighting for: you can’t say you’re for family or kids or seniors, can’t declare the importance of public health or dignity or independence, can’t say you stand for racial and gender equity, without supporting affordable time to care.
Two years ago I went to half-time to be able to spend more time on writing fiction. I’m excited to have a new novel that just came out titled Standing Up: Tales of Struggle, written with my husband. You can read more about it on ellenbravo.com. I’ve also begun another novel that I’m really excited about. I’m eager to create more time both to promote Standing Up – I’ve learned that’s a job in itself — and to dig in on the new book.
So I’ve made the decision to transition from Family Values @ Work. My last day will be March 18. The Leadership Team has done a great job working with me over the past few months to make this a smooth process. Given the leadership and strength of our network, it’s a good time to step away. I expect to see more wins in the states and the building of greater political power, continuing to pave the way for effective federal policies that protect every working person.
I’ll always be connected to the network as a staunch supporter and activist, following all of you and helping wherever I can. Looking forward to celebrating your successes, and to seeing you at a virtual or in-person book event!
