Dear community,
Like you, the continuous and all-too-frequent events where young Black and Brown people lose their lives at the hands of a system sworn to serve and protect has our hearts filled with anger and sadness. As an organization focused on pursuing equity in the workforce and expanding access to educational opportunities, we’re left to ask: What good is an equitable workplace when Black and Brown people continue to be robbed of the right to grow old, and to fully explore their passions and realize their potential?
Police violence is a human rights issue, a women’s rights issue, a reproductive justice issue, and more. Although the majority of Black people killed by police in the United States are young men, Black women and girls are also vulnerable to state-sanctioned violence, as we've just witnessed with the tragic death of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant, who was shot by Columbus police shortly after the verdict for Derek Chauvin was announced.
The experiences of Black women and girls can no longer be ignored—they must be elevated and equally valued in the movement for racial justice. This includes recognition of the systemic barriers and injustices Black women face in all stages of life. Women Employed is committed to centering our advocacy around the struggles faced by Black and Brown women in the workforce. And while workplace rights and access to educational opportunities are essential, they are only a portion of the much larger fight for racial and gender equity.
During times of mourning, when things can feel hopeless, we like to focus attention on the work and the leadership of community activists, organizers, and legislators working tirelessly to bring back hope and to create a safer and more equitable world. Last week was Black Maternal Health Week. While on the surface, Black maternal health may not seem directly linked to the Black Lives Matter social justice movement, at the heart, both have the same underlying message: Black women and people in this country are dying as the direct result of racism.
Currently, Black mothers in the United States are dying due to pregnancy complications at three to four times the rate of their white counterparts. In Illinois, the risk is six times greater. Working to change these outcomes for Black women are Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Congresswoman Alma Adams, Senator Cory Booker, and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. Earlier this year, they introduced the Black Maternal Momnibus Act of 2021, which builds on existing legislation to comprehensively address every dimension of the maternal health crisis. You can learn more about it here.
We are thrilled that Congresswoman Lauren Underwood will join us as the keynote speaker for The Working Lunch – Virtual Edition on May 25th. From her successful advocacy for the suspension of loan payments to her support of pregnant workers and paid leave, she has been a critical leader in the fight for equity and we can’t wait to hear from her.
