President Obama Statement on Work and Family Month

We wanted to be sure that everyone saw today’s statement from the President on National Work and Family Month. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the rest of the month to get the word out on the need for strong work-family policies.

Thanks!

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

____________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2010

Statement by the President on National Work and Family Month

National Work and Family Month serves as a reminder to all of us, especially working caregivers, their families, and their employers, that while we have made great strides as a nation to adopt more flexible policies in the workplace, there’s more we can do. Millions of Americans continue to struggle day-in and day-out to balance work and family life – to juggle their job responsibilities with caring for a child, an elderly relative, or a loved one with a disability. This is something Michelle and I understand – it wasn’t too long ago that we were both working full-time outside the home while raising two young daughters.

There are steps we can all take to help – implementing practices like telework, paid leave, and alternative work schedules – and my Administration is committed to doing its part to help advance these practices across the country. And within the federal government, we have followed the lead of many private sector companies when it comes to increasing workplace flexibility. Because at the end of the day, attracting and retaining employees who are more productive and engaged through flexible workplace policies is not just good for business or for our economy – it’s good for our families and our future.

Why Women Must Vote Tuesday

Nadir is a 29-year-old single mother of three, who runs a home-based business and is a serious Broncos fan. KeeAnn is a 45-year-old part-time call center staffer who recently started college studies. Between school, work and caring for her aging father, she doesn't have time for hobbies unless they involve her pet Yorkies, Luke and Laura.

Other than the fact that they both live in Colorado Springs, the two don't have much in common - except their beliefs about women and the political process. KeeAnn recently visited the Early Voting Center at a Colorado Springs mall because she feared she might get so busy that she'd forget to cast her vote. Nadir has her ballot in a spot on the dining table reserved for important papers. She's made a promise to her children that Mommy won't forget to get her ballot in the mail well before November 2.

If women vote, we can change our own realities, change life for our families, and change this country. Still, some wonder if we have the collective will to get to the polls in large enough numbers this time.

Women are typically more likely than men to register and to cast votes and that has made a difference in many elections. But this year, in these midterm elections, polling suggests that too many women are unenthusiastic. Unmarried women, particularly, who turned out in record numbers in 2008, report they're less likely to vote in November.

But if women don't vote, we'll all lose.

In the coming months, Congress is poised to make decisions on an array of critical issues, including unemployment, equal pay, health care, and family economic security. In Colorado, on Election Day, voters will decide important questions concerning state revenue and financing, reproductive health, and health care reform.

Women can't afford to sit this one out.

One group of 2010 ballot measures where women's voices must be heard is Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101. On the face of things, it seems that these initiatives promise to put extra money in voters' pockets, reducing fees on cars and trucks and cutting income taxes by as much as 25 percent. But it's all too good to be true.

In reality, Amendment 60 would cut money for schools by 50 percent, cut thousands of teaching jobs, increase class sizes and cut after-school programs. Amendment 61 would wipe out construction jobs and halt work on vital community projects like water treatment plants and school construction. And Proposition 101 would eliminate funding for schools and safe communities. That's why they're called the Ugly Three.

Two more harmful and deceitful initiatives on the 2010 Colorado ballot are Amendments 62 and 63; these would limit a woman's ability to make choices about her own reproductive health and dramatically increase health care costs in Colorado.

Women - who have a vested interest in quality public schools, safe roads, clean public parks, affordable higher education, low health care costs and choice in reproductive health - must protect our families and protect our communities. We must let our voices be heard on all 5 of these ballot initiatives.

The economy is still fighting to rebound from the worst crisis since the Great Depression, and women and our families - already vulnerable - are at greatest risk.

The decisions being made in this election are important to us; important in the short-term and important in the long-term. Voting for candidates who support our values and letting our voices be heard on this year's ballot measures will help us keep our families going and keep our state and nation strong.

That's why women like Nadir must ensure that their ballots get off the dining room table and into the ballot box. We must show up at the polls for early voting or show up on Election Day. We must vote as if our families' very lives depend upon it because, indeed, they do.

Erin Bennett is Colorado Director of 9to5, National Association of Working Women, a diverse, multi-racial membership organization that strengthens women's ability to win economic justice. EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.

Read more:Why women must vote Tuesday - The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_16448106#ixzz13ltp7zmu

Vote Early!!

Vote early! There are multiple locations in each county. You can find out where you can vote in your county by confirming your registration information at www.govotecolorado.com . The web-site will generate a list of polling places for you. Bonus! If you vote early, the lines are shorter and you won't have to wait as long.

For those of you who signed up for a mail-in ballot, keep your eye on your mailbox. County clerks started mailing ballots last Tuesday. If you're not sure if you've signed up for a mail-in ballot, you can visit the Secretary of State's web-site to find out: www.govotecolorado.com. If you haven't received your mail-in ballot and you're signed up for a mail-in ballot, contact your local county clerk. List of county clerk contacts can be found at: http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Resources/files/countyclerk_english.pdf .

Wear Purple today !!!

On October 20th we will wear purple to bring awareness to, and put an end to intolerance in honor of the 6 boys who commited suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse at home and in schools. Purple represents spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that's exactly what we would like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your parents, friends, co-workers, neighbors and schools.

Rest in Peace:
Tyler Clementi
Seth Walsh
Justin Aaberg
Raymond Chase
Asher Brown
Billy Lucas
Zach Harrington
and all other victims of homophobia

Trick or Vote!!!

On Halloween Day, New Era Colorado will be hosting a get out the vote event they call "Trick or Vote." It is the one time of the year that people expect to open their doors to strangers. What better opportunity to get the message out about voting and making sure the Amendments 60,61,62 and 63 and Prop 101 don't pass than to go out and trick or vote. New Era is looking for volunteers and if you canvass with them you get a ticket to a wicked party afterwards featuring DJ Z-Trip. All of the information is in http://trickorvote.org/denver or you can RSVP on facebook by searching: trick or vote 2010 w/DJ Z-Trip

Please Welcome new Colorado Intern Jenny Weyel

Jenny Weyel recently moved to Denver from Berlin, Germany, where she completed her M.A. in Political Science with a thesis on the U.S. prison system. In Berlin she has done solidarity work with detained immigrants pending deportation, and in Denver she currently interns with the Colorado Progressive Coalition (CPC), where she worked on a bill against racial profiling that became Colorado law this summer. In her free time, she tutors residents at a halfway house, plays soccer, and enjoys hiking in the Rocky Mountains.

Jenny will be working on a variety of issues with the Colorado team, including Election Connection work and paid sick days small business organizing. To contact Jenny, email jennyw@9to5.org.

Please Welcome Colorado ARRA and Paid Sick Days Organizer Margaret Gomez

Margaret (Maggie) Gomez, originally from Wisconsin, joined the 9to5 Colorado team in late August as a graduate from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. With a demonstrated passion for social justice, Maggie has most recently been fighting for human rights and the advancement of historically marginalized communities in institutions of higher education and with local area non-profit organizations. With a critical lens of oppression and politics Maggie is an exciting new addition to the Denver chapter.

Maggie is working both on our American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) work and on our paid sick days small business organizing! To get in touch with Maggie, email maggie@9to5.org

Please Welcome Colorado Organizer Margarita Gomez

Margarita (Maggie) joined the Colorado 9to5 team as a Colorado Organizer in late August. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Denver to attend graduate school in 2008. Maggie started her activist work during undergrad as an intern with the California Faculty Association working on keeping higher education affordable and accessible for all Californians. She also did an internship with Project WISE working on pay-day lending and financial empowerment information among low-income women. She is really excited to be part of such a great organization!

Maggie is mostly working on our Election Connection work this fall - helping to get out the vote and ensure we protect our communities from harmful ballot initiatives! To get in touch with her, email margarita@9to5.org