Called “A Day Without Women,” the March 8th protest held by the Women’s March movement had women calling out of work to show the power they have in the American economy. However, not all women could participate in the protest aimed to also draw attention to workplace inequality. For many working moms, taking a day off from work is a privilege that raises real life concerns:
- Moms earning an hourly wage often can’t afford lost wages from days off.
- For many working Americans, a day off from work puts job security at risk.
- Many hard-working families struggle to find child-care during working hours.
Across America, several school districts also gave last minute notice announcing their teachers would participate in the strikes as an act of solidarity. That notice came in just a day or two before the protest, which compromised the ability of many families to manage their work-life commitments. Not only did that leave many American families scrambling for child care, but it also took a heavy toll on American children.
Children in districts affected by the protest were denied what is often their only full meal of the day. According to Think Progress, as many as 30 million American children “in low-income households rely on the free or reduced-price school meals program for their nutritional needs.”
Political protests are powerful statements and a strong American tradition. We hope future protests consider the realities and needs of all American families.