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Statement

Leading Moms Group Commends Wake County Commissioners for Expanding County’s Paid Leave Program

December 3, 2019
Paid Family & Medical Leave

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

Statement of Tina Sherman, campaign director at MomsRising, an online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families nationwide and 47,000 in North Carolina, on the decision by Wake County leaders to expand the county’s paid leave policy:

“In a meaningful and important move that will make Wake County stronger, healthier, and more successful, on Monday, December 2nd, the County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to provide up to three weeks of paid family medical leave to county employees who need paid time off to care for a seriously ill family member. This policy expands Wake County’s successful paid parental leave policy and is a significant step forward for the County and its communities.

“The discussion about adopting this policy was robust and several Commissioners shared personal stories about their own need for paid leave to care for loved ones or recover from illness or injury themselves. Commissioners remarked that the policy offers dignity not only for those who need care, but also for those who are providing it. Others called the policy ‘humane.’ It also will improve public health, boost moms and all family caregivers, and make county workplaces more equitable.

“We are especially pleased that Wake County leaders are using a broad definition of ‘family’ – to include spouses, parents, guardians, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, and half, step, and adopted relationships. That reflects the realities of families in our communities today.

“MomsRising is especially thankful for the leadership of Chairwoman Jessica Holmes, the Wake County Board of Commissioners, and MomsRising members and partners who strongly supported this advance. In particular, we thank the North Carolina Justice Center, NC Families Care Coalition, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina and AARP.

“North Carolina families and our country urgently need a comprehensive national paid family and medical leave program that allows all workers to care for their families without risking their jobs or financial security. Now before Congress, the FAMILY (Family And Medical Insurance Leave) Act would cover all workers, address the range of caregiving needs families face, and be affordable for taxpayers and businesses alike. Until we get a federal policy in place, we look to state and local jurisdictions to take action, as Wake County leaders wisely did this week.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.