YWCA Advocates Stand Up For Justice

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A total of 100 local YWCAs will blanket the nation today, meeting with 156 Members of Congress in 40 states with one unified message: women's economic justice cannot wait!

Women – and women of color especially – still face economic inequality and earn only a fraction of what white men do. One critical step in correcting this injustice is securing paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave for all workers, and guaranteed "safe" days for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

"For low wage workers – who are disproportionately women and people of color – a case of the flu could be the difference between a full refrigerator and an empty one," said Catherine Beane, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy at YWCA USA, "A major illness can result in poverty."

Moreover, YWCA USA CEO Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D. said, "No worker should have to make the unfair choice between her job and her health, safety, or family – yet millions make these hard decisions every day."

Anyone can join the movement today by visiting www.ywca.org/YWCAday. On this action center, you can contact your legislators, download shareable graphics, and learn more about the three bills we are fighting for: the Healthy Families Act, the FAMILY Act, and the SAFE Act.

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen communities. For over 150 years, YWCA has been at the forefront of the most critical social movements — from voting rights and civil rights, to affordable housing and pay equity, to violence prevention and health care reform. YWCA USA is part of an international movement serving over 2 million in the United States and 25 million worldwide. For comprehensive information about this important work, visit www.ywca.org.

Media Contact: James Grant, [email protected] | (917) 626-1300

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SOURCE YWCA USA

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