Today April 8th, 2014 marks the second day of a 48-hour fast by 100 women who have come together in D.C. to urge our elected leaders to vote on an immigration reform bill that is fair and inclusive of women, children and families. The fast in the "Courage Cafe" tent on 4th and Jefferson in D.C. is part of a nationwide movement by the We Belong Together women's coalition, in which 1,500 women in 35 states fasted in 24-hour increments in the last month.

Three-quarters of all immigrants to the United States are women and children. 5.5 million children live in mixed status households, which means that they live with the uncertainty of losing their mom or dad any day. Yet, our leaders are stalling, and this is simply unacceptable.

Below you will read the testimonials by the courageous women who have come together to fast and have traveled to D.C. to hand-deliver messages on hearts to Congress. If you would like to sign your own heart for delivery, fill out this quick form at the We Belong Together website. In addition, you could add your name to this MoveOn petition requesting that Speaker John Boehner meet with the fasters.

Thank you for all that you do to strengthen families in America!

Beth Messersmith, MomsRising.org
"I am fasting for an immigration reform that strengthens families"

Cecelia Friedman Levin, ASISTA
"The Most Difficult Part of the Fast..."

Dani Moore, North Carolina Justice Center
"I am fasting as a mother, a granddaughter, and North Carolina activist"

Erin Oshiro, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
"I am fasting to repair a broken immigration system that ignores the ties of family and love"

Gema Lowe, Glowe4Success
"My fast will last past the We Belong Together delegation in DC"

Gracelynne West, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum
"I am fasting for my family"

Jennifer Bernstein, Central Reform Congregation
"I will fast as a mother of a four-year-old son"

Julia Toepfer, National Immigrant Justice Center
"What I think about when I fast every Wednesday for Lent"

Lupe Rodriguez, Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women
"I am fasting for compassion towards immigrant families"

Lynne Dodson, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
"I am fasting for families"

Monica McCarthy, National Immigrant Justice Center
"After fasting, I felt triumphant!"

Pramila Jayapal, We Belong Together
"I Am a Mother and an Immigrant"

Royce Murray, National Immigrant Justice Center
"Hungry for Action and Reform"

Shivana Jorawar, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum
"Immigrant Women Need Immigration Reform NOW: My Mother's Story"

Teresa Vyhanek, Casa de Esperanza
"I fasted for comprehensive immigration reform that helps families thrive"

Victoria Rumsey, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates
"I will fast for those who have been silenced"

Blog posts in Spanish by Latina fasters

"Estoy participando en el ayuno por nuestras familias", por Martha H., Mujeres Unidas y Activas

"Estoy ayunando por familias como la mía", por Miriam G., Mujeres Unidas y Activas

Ines Lazarte, La Colectiva de Mujeres
"Le exigo al presidente que cumpla sus promesas"