Hi friend, 

Whatever our color, background or zip code, in America we value our freedom. The freedom to have a say in decisions that impact our lives —from curbing the pandemic to passing paid leave to housing rights to reproductive justice. Voting is the foundation to achieving a future for ourselves, our families, our communities where we can all thrive. We must bring down the barriers that prevent us- people of color, working people, and women- from having an equal voice in the decisions that impact our lives. 

Last week, Congress debated but failed to pass a bill that would make election day a national holiday, allow for early voting and no-excuse vote by mail, and prevent states from making changes to voting laws, among other measures. We must continue to pressure our legislators to do whatever it takes to make sure every person has the freedom to vote, and stop a handful of politicians who want to put up barriers to silence our voices based on what we look like or where we live. Throughout our nation’s history, major steps toward progress have always been met with resistance. Together, we can ensure everyone has the freedom to vote. 

In Solidarity
Leng Leng

Spotlight

Our families include extended relatives and other loved ones — grandparents, stepparents, unmarried couples, aunts, uncles, siblings and close loved ones who provide care and are “family” even without a biological or legal relationship — all bound by love, commitment and care. Yet, many of our family members are left out of the narrow and outdated definition of family most legislators and employers currently use.

Throughout history, communities who have – and continue to – experience oppression have woven together support systems to keep each other safe, healthy and nourished. This definition of family disproportionately impacts people of color, immigrants, multigenerational households, refugees and asylees, people with disabilities, people in rural and low-income households and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Take the pledge to expand the definition of family, no matter the policy, no matter the place.  

Highlights from the field:

COLORADO

Residents of another Colorado mobile home community successfully purchased their land, creating more stability for the community. 9to5 Colorado is focusing on expanding mobile homeowner’s rights and affordable housing this legislative session. Join us at tomorrow’s legislative kickoff meeting!

GEORGIA

Did you miss this month’s Virtual Chapter Meeting? We covered plans for the upcoming year, answered member questions, and celebrated our wins from 2021.

WISCONSIN

State Director Christina Thor wrote State Director Christina Thor helped shape the findings of a report on why half of working women in Wisconsin want to quit their jobs. The report cites the need for flexibility and paid leave and Christina discusses why she thinks African American women are leaving their jobs at twice the rate of their peers.

What we’re reading:

Colorado Democrats consider ‘rent stabilization’ for mobile home parks

9to5 Colorado is fighting for rent hikes at mobile home parks to be capped at 3% per year. State Director Andrea Chiriboga-Flor says, “Rent control — while that is a trigger for landlords, it’s something that people are really drawn to and … are excited to be working on.”

“We Know What We’re Doing”: How To Engage With Black Women Organizers Ahead of the 2022 Midterm Elections

Our friends at ProGeorgia wrote this great list on how to work with black women organizers during this year’s upcoming critical election. 

White Masculinity and the January 6 Insurrection

White men made up the vast majority of insurrectionists on January 6th. This article helps explain how masculinity and beliefs about manhood encourage use of violence politically and interpersonally.

The Big Quit

This episode of 60 Minutes covered the great resignation – including the reality that moms have had to leave the workforce in huge numbers in order to care for kids.

At-home businesses are growing. Women and people of color benefit the most

Newly relaxed regulations for at-home businesses have given women & people of color more flexibility, which is often hard to come by in traditional employment. Owning their own business gives women more opportunities to earn a living while also balancing care for children & loved ones during the pandemic.

Work With Us:

Full Time

Communications Coordinator III: Colorado

Full-time Senior Policy & Campaign Strategist V: Colorado

Part Time

Voter Registration Canvassers- Georgia

Fellowships

Atlanta Community Justice Fellowship Program

Savannah Community Justice Fellowship Program