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Media advisory

Cocoa, Candy Hearts, and Messages to Congress on Monday

February 13, 2022
Paid Family & Medical Leave, Early Care & Education

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

MomsRising and NWLC Launch Care Takeover Events on Valentine’s Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 11, 2022 – The nation’s capital will experience a Care Takeover on Valentine’s Day, with MomsRising and the National Women’s Law Center holding events to draw attention to the urgent needs of parents, children, and child care providers.

The covid pandemic pressure-tested an already broken child care system in our country, causing devastating results for providers and families alike. The child care industry is the backbone of our economy, and it is long past time that elected officials invest in building back a system for the people who put them in office. Congress must invest in fair pay and good working conditions for providers, and meaningful reform for families who depend on them.

The marching band and art activation will be hosted by MomsRising and the Cocoa Care-A-Van will be staffed by representatives from the National Women’s Law Center.

What:    MomsRising, a small marching band and choir, chalk art, candy hearts, and more to lift the importance of not giving up on Build Back Better and the policies America’s moms and families need.

When:   Monday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day) at 4pm ET

Where: Outside of the Russell Senate Office Building (2 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002), corner of Delaware Ave NE and Constitution Ave NE

Who:     MomsRising leaders Monifa Bandele, Ruth Martin and Gloria Pan will be available beginning at 4 pm ET to discuss child care and other issues that matter most to moms, and MomsRising members – moms and children – will be on hand to make chalk art with messages to Congress.

What:    Cocoa Care-A-Van to pop-up near the Capitol on Valentine’s Day to offer free hot cocoa and urge Congress to protect Build Back Better

When:   Monday, February 14, 2022 (Valentine’s Day) from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET; 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET

Where: Union Station, Lower Senate Park (morning) and Lincoln Park (afternoon) – Exact address available upon request.

Who:     Melissa Boteach, Vice President for Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning will be available during the 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. pop-up to talk about the purpose of the campaign, and why Congress needs to implement policies and significant investments to support child care providers, children, and families.

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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.