FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2021
CONTACT: Sheri Shannon / (202) 322-6898 / [email protected]
Organization responsible for running one of the largest voter contact programs to elect Stacey Abrams as governor of Georgia in 2018 turns its sights to Virginia’s gubernatorial election.
RICHMOND, Va. – Today, Care in Action — the nonprofit, nonpartisan group dedicated to fighting for dignity and fairness for the 2.5 million domestic workers in the U.S — formally announced its endorsement of Senator Jennifer McClellan as Virginia’s next governor.
“Jennifer McClellan is a champion for domestic workers, women and the people of Virginia,” said Alexsis Rodgers, Virginia State Director for Care in Action. “She understands the value of our care economy and has fought tirelessly to provide the first-ever labor protections for 60,000 domestic workers in Virginia. Her track record of public service and legislative wins is unmatched by any candidate in this race. We are thrilled to endorse her campaign because she has a proven track record of improving the lives of families across the commonwealth.”
«As the daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, and niece of domestic workers, I am so honored to be endorsed by Care in Action,» said Sen. McClellan. “For 400 years, the American economy has been built on the backs of domestic workers. Ending Jim Crow laws preventing fair wages for domestic workers in Virginia has been one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. As Governor, I will continue to champion progress for domestic workers and other Virginians who have been left behind for far too long.»
Domestic workers, most of whom are Black, Latinx, and immigrant women, are part of the country’s fastest growing workforce. As part of its mission, Care in Action works to elect candidates that center domestic workers and people of color in their policy decisions. To date, Care in Action has endorsed 13 candidates — all women of color — for state office, helping to elect 10 women to Virginia’s state legislature in 2019. In the 2020-2021 election season, the organization endorsed 76 candidates across their seven states, including a presidential ticket, winning 55 of their races.
During this year’s General Assembly session, McClellan is carrying the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights (SB1310) to ensure all domestic workers have the right to a safe workplace free of harassment and discrimination. The Virginia Senate and House have passed a suite of bills officially recognizing this workforce as employees and to receive the same protections granted to other workers, including health and safety standards, anti-discrmination rights, unemployment compensation and workers compensation. In 2020, Care in Action partnered with McClellan to pass the first-ever wage protections for domestic workers.
“Care in Action made its first foray into Virginia politics in 2019 to set a new legislative agenda to improve the lives of domestic workers and all working people,” said Rodgers. “The progress we’ve made is thanks to care economy champions like Jennifer McClellan fighting for us in the state house. She fights for fair wages, affordable and quality healthcare, access to child care, housing and economic security.”
“Under her leadership as governor, we believe she will build the future that works for all Virignians.”
Care in Action is the policy and advocacy home for women who care, working on behalf of more than two million domestic workers and care workers across America. Among the fastest growing sectors in our economy, domestic workers are also among the most vulnerable and undervalued. As a mostly women and majority women of color workforce, this growing constituency consistently and overwhelmingly supports progressive values in American political life. Learn more at careinactionvotes.org.
Paid for by Care in Action.