"Miss American Way" (The Lilly Ledbetter Song)

For years, the national network of 9to5 members and activists has been fully engaged in closing the wage gap; organizing Equal Pay Day events, speaking out on state and federal legislation, serving on Equal Pay boards and commissions. It is with that history -- and the future -- in mind that we observe the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act.

On January 29, 2009 (one year ago today!), President Barack Obama made the signing of the Ledbetter Act the first of his new Administration. During his 2010 State of the Union address, he reconfirmed the commitment to equal pay for equal work.

To celebrate both these critically important moments in time, songwriter Camille Bright-Smith, a 9to5 member who operates the site BloginSong, has written a Ledbetter musical tribute that you will want to share with your family, friends and colleagues.

Hear Camille Bright-Smith's triumphant, high-energy song, "Miss American Way," at (http://bloginsong.com/). It reminds us that there is no better time than now to speak out for legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act that will move us toward closing the wage gap once and for all.

January 10-16 is National Influenza Vaccination Week

Next week, January 10-16 is National Influenza Vaccination Week!

Do you have Paid Sick Days? Does everyone you see everyday have Paid Sick Days?

If not, be sure to get the flu and H1N1 vaccines!

Only about half of workers have access to Paid Sick Days. Without them, people are forced to choose between going to work sick or losing a day's pay (or possibly a job!). Without paid sick days to care for your children or other relatives, people are forced to choose between their jobs and their families - a choice no one should have to make!

Without paid sick days, many people have to go to work sick so that they don't lose a day's pay. This means that thousands of people each day could be at work sick - people working at the restaurant where you eat lunch, people at your office, people at the bus stop.

In order to protect yourself and your family, and in order to ensure that you don't lose a day's pay because of the flu, get vaccinated!

Getting vaccinated is only one step. We must pass Paid Sick Days in Colorado to ensure that NO ONE ever has to make the impossible choice between family and their job - for every illness, not just the flu!

If you are interested in getting involved in the campaign to pass Paid Sick Days in Colorado, please call 303-628-0925 or email erin [at] 9to5.org

Paid Sick Days Colorado Kick-Off!

Join us as we celebrate our efforts to pass Paid Sick Days in Colorado in 2010.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Hope Community Church
1801 S. Logan St, Denver

Hear from Legislators who are sponsoring our Colorado bill, and also hear from 9to5 Colorado members who have Paid Sick Days stories to tell.

For more information, please contact Erin 303-628-0925, erin@9to5.org