YOU are being heard! This week we had the opportunity to directly bring forward the voices and policy priorities of moms, dads, and people across our nation to elected leaders in Washington, DC -- including Senators Sanders and Cantwell (pictured) -- who have the power to make an impact. Leaders are listening to the calls, emails, petitions, and Town Hall attendees!

It’s working, but we have to keep up the momentum for healthcare, Medicaid, real paid family leave, fair immigration, childcare, religious freedom, a bi-partisan investigation into Russian interference, and more.

This is a marathon for liberty and justice for all — and not a sprint. Thank you for speaking up!

Here are the MomsRising Top #5Actions of this week:

1. Put Your Mark On The Map: Stand With All Women On “A Day Without Women” No Matter Your Plans For March 8th!

—> ACTION: http://action.momsrising.org/sign/WomensStrike/

Background: A Day Without Women has been called by the #WomensMarch organizers for this Wednesday, March 8th. Not all women are able to go on strike from work, but hopefully EVERYONE is able to show that they stand with all women by putting their mark on the map and/or doing one (or more!) of the below listed activities. *When you sign MomsRising’s message by clicking the above link to show that you're standing with women on the Day Without Women, your signature will place you on a map of the United States. Help us show that women and our allies who support the Day Without Women are everywhere across the United States!

1. Wear RED in solidarity with all women (This red can be worn in a private or public way, i.e. red socks count too!).
2. If it’s safe for you, print and wear the MomsRising #KeepMarching paper button on your clothing (downloadable after you sign on to support the Day Without Women).
3. Avoid spending money (except at small, women- and minority-owned businesses that support gender, racial, and economic equity/Day Without A Woman).
4. Women, if possible and safe for you, do not do paid or unpaid work.

2. Tell Congress: STOP Human Rights Abuses In The Name Of Immigration Enforcement!

—>ACTION: http://action.momsrising.org/sign/immigrants/

Background: This is an urgent matter. In President Trump’s address to the Joint Session of Congress last week, he unfairly framed a large group of people in our nation, immigrants, as criminals throughout his speech. This is not only unfair, it's dangerous and false (immigrants are far less likely to commit a crime than native born people in our nation). History has shown us it's dangerous to vilify groups of people as Trump is doing, including through starting a full program -- Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) -- that leads people to believe there’s significantly more of this type of crime than the data shows is happening.

Our nation should never commit human rights abuses in the name of immigration enforcement, but that’s exactly what’s happening now. For instance, a 26 year old undocumented woman, with no criminal record, was hospitalized for a brain tumor and was forcibly removed from a Texas hospital, with her hands and ankles bound, as her nose was still bleeding from the tumor. This is not okay. Our nation is better than this. This type of treatment of anyone is un-American.

3. Help Stop Pregnancy Discrimination! It’s 2017 and yet women still experience a tremendous amount of pregnancy discrimination in the labor force. Did you work while pregnant? Share your experience! And we’ll share your experience with lawmakers to help stop pregnancy discrimination.

—> ACTION: http://action.momsrising.org/survey/pregnantworker_stories

Background: Working while pregnant is more common than ever and being able to do so safely – sometimes with medically necessary accommodations – is such an important part of family economic security! Share your experience by answering these simple questions: Have you worked during a pregnancy? What was your experience like? Did you need to ask your boss for any medically necessary modifications to your job – like being able sit on a stool or take extra bathroom breaks? Tell us about it! We'll compile your experiences into a book and then deliver them to key policy makers, along with the message that they must pass legislation that requires employers to make reasonable, medically necessary accommodations for pregnant employees.

Here's one experience that a MomsRising member shared: “During my second pregnancy, when I received a doctor's note restricting heavy lifting at my job, I was demoted, paid less and told I would have to "take the new position or take a walk." - Anna, Maryland

4. Start a local MomsRising #KeepMarching Circle! We’re hearing from our members all over the country that they want to get together with friends, family and neighbors to take action. We are here for you! Let us know you want to start a #KeepMarching Circle by clicking the link below and we’ll support you with action resources, sample agendas, and more.

—>ACTION: http://action.momsrising.org/signup/MRKeepMarchingCircles/

Background: If you’ve been fired up and looking for ways to raise your voice and take action in support of families, communities, and our country... If you are ready to gather your family, friends and neighbors to storm the barricades in resistance… Sign up to be a MomsRising #KeepMarching Circle Leader! #KeepMarching Circles are an easy way to give form and function to what you’re likely already looking to do or may even be doing already: Meeting with others to talk about politics and share your anger and disgust, emailing around to each other petitions and actions to sign, gathering for postcard parties, attending town hall meetings together, and so much more.

5. Dear Congress: We Need Paid Family & Medical Leave For ALL Working Families, Not Some!

—>ACTION: http://action.momsrising.org/sign/paid_family_leave_2017/

Background: We need paid family leave for ALL working families, not just some!  The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world without some form of paid family leave. This hurts families, our businesses, our global competitiveness, and our economy.  Sign on to a letter to Congress letting them know that our country needs a comprehensive paid family/medical leave bill that benefits ALL working families. America's families need a robust detail-driven paid family/medical leave policy that:

• Is accessible to all working people
• Offers meaningful length of leave – at least 12 weeks and covers the full range of personal medical and family caregiver needs established in the Family and Medical Leave Act
• Is affordable and cost-effective for workers, for employers and for the government
• Is inclusive when it comes to defining “family”; and
• Allows working people to take leave without facing adverse employment consequences.

Thank you for all you do to make our nation stronger and a place where everyone can thrive!

P.S. Did you get one of our "Nevertheless, She Persisted" buttons? The first batch was mailed last week. We got a number of orders after the cut-off date and we'll be sending a 2nd batch next week. It's not too late to get yours (or to get more!) - make a donation in any amount and we'll send you a button!