Most moms assume that chemicals used to make everyday products are tested for safety. It's common sense — but they are not. From baby bottles made with bisphenol-A (BPA) to carpets containing formaldehyde, dangerous chemicals are in our homes, and the products we use every day. With each new scientific report linking toxic chemical exposure to a serious health problem, it becomes more obvious that the law intended to keep harmful chemicals in check — the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 — is not working.

Now, we have the chance to fix this problem - and moms are taking the lead.

Healthy Child Healthy World has been rallying moms to fight for change for almost two decades. And this week we watch with excitement as moms across the country call on Congress to take action on this important issue – led by one important celebrity mom and spearheaded by a coalition Healthy Child is proud to be a part of, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.

Yesterday, Jessica Alba appeared on Capitol Hill with Senator Frank Lautenberg to promote his chemical safety bill, the Safe Chemicals Act. “Like many other moms out there, I try to buy safe products for my family, but that can’t be the only solution. You can’t hire a team of scientists to do your shopping for you. At some point the government has to step in and ensure that chemicals are safe before our children are exposed to them. That’s why I’m delighted to join with Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families to call on Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act,” said Alba.

Celebrities have long helped raise awareness about important issues by using their status to get media attention. And, even though you don’t have paparazzi following you, you can still do exactly what she’s doing and take some time to speak up. In fact, democracy doesn’t really work unless we speak up. In between elections, our elected officials are voting on policies every day. Do you know how they decide how to vote? By listening to their constituents – that’s you and me.

Back when I first began participating in politics, I remember sitting with elected officials and having them tell me how important it was to them to hear from their constituents – office visits, letters, phone calls – they mean A LOT. They told me that they decided how to vote on different bills based on how many constituents they heard from saying yay or nay. If 20,000 people called and told them to vote no on a bill and 25,000 called and told them vote yes, they’d vote yes. Likewise, if 20 people told them to vote yes on a bill and 25 told them to vote no, they’d vote no.

At the end of the day, each one of us has a voice and our elected officials need to hear it. That’s how democracy works. We can vote every day.

Join moms across the country and cast your vote today by telling your Senators to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act.