Thursday, August 28, 2008

Obama for Working Women and Families

Just in case you missed Michelle Obama's interview where she discusses her commitment to working women and families, check out the article in the Wall Street Journal. Here is a preview:

I've heard from mothers struggling to make ends meet because their salaries aren't keeping up with the cost of groceries," Michelle Obama said. "But if they take a second job, they can't afford the additional cost of childcare. Or the moms who are nervous about taking time from their jobs to care for a sick child. Or the moms-to-be who are scared of getting fired if the boss finds out they're pregnant. Then there are women who work hard every day doing the same jobs as men, but earning less... These struggles--the struggles of working women and families across America--aren't new to me or to any of us.


Also, the Obama Biden campaign has released a Blueprint for America's Working Women and Families. Finally some attention to work/family balance. Take note of the expansion of FMLA.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why people are taking to heart what Michelle Obama is saying, she is not running for president, her husband is.

Jaime said...

Dear Anonymous,
Yes, it is a fact that Michelle Obama is not running for President, her husband will be the democrat on the ticket. Yet, we can’t (nor should we) ignore the influence of the First Lady. We could debate whether or not a First Lady has influence on her husband’s presidential decisions, but I would rather not engage in a debate that lacks empirical evidence. What I do see throughout history is a trend for First Lady’s to take on an initiative and pursue change. The current First Lady took on literacy, Nancy Reagon started the “Just Say No” campaign, and Hilary Clinton took on health care. I care about what Michelle Obama is saying and doing because I believe that she will also take on an initiative and I hope that it is one that can and does benefit women, children, and families.