In May, We Said “Flowers Aren’t Enough!”

The first half of May has been an important reminder that we are truly stronger together - that community, especially spaces that are led by and filled with women, are so impactful and important for building the world we want to see for our children, and beyond.

First off, our Community Engagement Manager, Heather Visnesky, traveled to the Capitol in Harrisburg as one of the organizers of a Mother’s Day of advocacy - "Flowers Aren't Enough" referring to the quintessential Mother's Day gift. The May 6 event was a joint effort in collaboration with the Maternity Care Coalition, Moms Rising, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Planned Parenthood, and Access Matters, as well as community members. A press conference and rally on the steps of the rotunda was held to impress upon state legislators that while flowers are a lovely sentiment, what moms really want and need are policies around gender justice, maternal and child health advancement, and reproductive freedom. We were joined on the rotunda by Representatives O’Mara, Davis, Powell, Benham, and Rivera, who all spoke in support of passing legislation on these issues.

Then, less than a week later on Wednesday, May 13th, Allegheny County leaders proposed 18 weeks of parental leave for workers in the county. If implemented, the current paid sick time policy would be broadened to mandate 18 weeks of paid leave for new parents and legal guardians. Allegheny County Council also unanimously passed 13920-26, a resolution supporting the statewide Family Care Act currently waiting to be voted on in the PA Senate. Several other council members, in addition to prime sponsor Lissa Geiger Shulman and co-sponsor Dan Grzybek, asked to be added to the resolution as additional co-sponsors. It was a positive step in the right direction for securing paid family and medical leave for all Pennsylvanians. If you would like to express your support for paid parental leave for workers, you can sign up to speak at the June 2 public hearing or just share your comments here.

Also in May, Heather attended the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women's State of the Women Listening Tour stop in Pittsburgh. The room was filled with women from all ages and stages of life, teens to retirees, coming together to share what they want and need for women in Pennsylvania. The themes included: access to quality, affordable, available childcare; maternal healthcare including reproductive care (and healthcare for women in general); paid family and medical leave; and education, and that is just a taste of the topics brought up. 

Heather Visnesky reps NCJW-Pgh at the “Flowers Aren't Enough” lobby day in Harrisburg (that’s her in the second row two to the right of center!)