Happy Mother's Day! This weekend we honor all mothers and mother-figures, and thank you for your tireless work making our communities a world a better place. MomsRising was founded on the firm belief in the power of moms to build a better world, and the power of your voices and advocacy continues to overwhelm and inspire us. Thank you, thank you for all that you do!!

Please scroll down for this week's list of top #5Actions, including a special way you can make a tribute gift in honor of a mom you love. We're also sharing top actions around immigration, prescription drug prices, paid leave, and childcare. Scroll down for a photo of our Massachusetts member Marisa testifying on Capitol Hill about the need for paid family and medical leave, too!

Here's the list! =>

1. Celebrate Mom with a MomsRising Tribute Gift! 

BACKGROUND: Mother’s Day is this Sunday! Honor or remember a mom you love by sending a gift TODAY that stands up every day for women, moms and families. We’ll announce your generosity with one of six beautiful e-card options of your choice (see below!). Want to make a regular Mother’s Day donation instead? Click here.

2. Tell Congress: Support comprehensive paid family/medical leave! 

BACKGROUND: This week, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways & Means Committee held its first ever hearing on the need for paid family and medical leave. Your fellow MomsRising member, Marisa, testified at the hearing to share her personal story and illustrate why we need comprehensive paid leave – both paid family AND medical leave – that addresses the full range of caregiving needs. Let's back Marisa up! Tell your U.S. members of Congress: Support COMPREHENSIVE paid family and medical leave! And please use the Personal Message Box to join Marisa in sharing a story about when you've needed family and/or medical leave.

3. Quick Signature: Tell Congress to lower drug prices now!

BACKGROUND: Prescription drug prices are continuing to rise and many families are struggling to afford life-saving prescriptions. What’s the deal? Congress has created a flawed system that allows pharmaceutical companies to hold patent monopolies to pharmaceutical companies. In addition, unlike in most high-income countries, these monopolies are not counterbalanced by a strong coordinated purchasing strategy by the government to lower costs. As a result, pharmaceutical companies have developed a strategy of price gouging, shifting their focus to increasing profits, as there is no real government effort to rein in prescription drug prices. Sign on now! Tell Congress to take meaningful action to rein in prescription drug prices. 

BONUS ACTION: We're gathering stories about why everyone should be able to access and afford the medication they need to maintain their health! Share your experience here.

4. Stand With Immigrant Moms and Families: Sign up to visit your Member of Congress' local office!  

BACKGROUND: Your member of Congress needs to hear from you! President Trump is trying to secure even more funding to separate and incarcerate immigrant children and families by attaching his demands to an emergency disaster spending bill---a piece of legislation that includes funding for areas devastated by natural disasters, including Puerto Rico, an area still reeling from destruction of Hurricane Maria and whose residents still have lingering structural, health, and nutrition needs. Sign up here for a high impact delivery to your Members of Congress' local state office to STOP child and family incarceration!

5. Celebrate Children & Support Access to Affordable, High-Quality Childcare NOW!

BACKGROUND: May 5th was Children’s Day, or Kodomo no hi, for many Japanese and Japanese American families -- a day to celebrate the health, happiness, and individuality of children (oh, and also gives a shout out to us mamas). This year, what better way to fully celebrate Children’s Day than by supporting real change for children and families by solving the childcare crisis?! This is why we are inspired and thrilled that Senator Patty Murray (WA), Senator Bob Casey (PA), and Representative Bobby Scott (VA) are taking a stand to address these issues by introducing the Child Care for Working Families Act. This legislation will address our nationwide early care crisis by lowering childcare costs for low-income and middle-income families, supporting universal pre-K programs for all 3 and 4 year-olds, and significantly improving compensation and training for the childcare workforce to ensure that our nation’s teachers and caregivers have the support they need. **Sign our letter NOW encouraging your members of Congress to create a brighter future for our littlest learners, workforce, and economy by supporting the Child Care for Working Families Act.

Highlight of the Week

Mom and MomsRising member Marisa testifying to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee about her family's need for paid family and medical leave. Way to go Marisa! 

Thank you for all you do, 

P.S. Hot off the presses! Check out Kristin's latest article in Ms. Magazine: Rise of the Warrior Mom! 

P.P.S. Don't forget to sign up for the #RunAsYouAre 2019 National Training for women candidates on Saturday 5/18 at 20 locations across the country. If you have been thinking of running for office – locally, statewide, or at the national level – even just a little bit, stop thinking and start preparing. This is your time! The #RunAsYouAre 2019: National Training is for women who want to run for office and support other women who want to run. It’s organized by VoteRunLead, the largest and most diverse training organization for women candidates, in partnership with Facebook, WeWork, MomsRising, and others. Sign up here, and use the code “MOMSRISING” to waive the registration fee!