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Editor's note: If you missed this chat, you can still go to Working Mother magazine's Facebook Page to see the Q&A. It's a treasure trove of resources.

October is National Work & Family Month, making it the perfect time to talk about the importance of paid family and medical leave. At some point, nearly everyone will need to take time away from work to deal with a serious personal or family illness or to care for a new child.

So let's talk about it! 

Join us on Facebook at the Working Mother magazine Facebook page this Thursday, October 23rd, from 1-2 p.m. ET for a conversation and Q&A featuring:

  • Jennifer Owens, Editorial Director for Working Mother magazine 
  • Sharon Lerner, Author of “The War on Moms: On Life in a Family-Unfriendly Nation,” who researched employers' experiences with the NJ paid leave fund
  • Gayle Goldin, the Rhode Island State Senator who led the successful campaign to pass paid family leave in her state (Temporary Caregiver Insurance)
  • Annette Bonilla, Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Environmental Science Associates, a California-based business that supports paid family and medical leave legislation
  • Workers describing the consequences of not having pay during leave and the benefits of having access to paid family and medical leave. MomsRising member, Miriah de Matos, will join the panel to discuss her experience with California's paid family and medical leave insurance.  
  • YOU! Join us to talk about why access to paid family and medical leave is important to you and your family.

Co-hosted by: CLASP, Family Values @ Work, MomsRising, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and Working Mother magazine, on behalf of the FAMILY Act coalition.

On Twitter? Help us make this conversation even more robust. Share a tweet about it:

  • Join @CLASP_DC @fmlyvalueswork @momsrising @npwf & @_workingmother_ on FB to talk #paidleave! 10/23 at 1pmET here: http://moms.ly/1C2zu9w
     
  • Chat w/ @CLASP_DC @fmlyvalueswork @momsrising @npwf & @_workingmother_ about #paidleave! Q&A 10/23 at 1pmET here: http://moms.ly/1C2zu9w
     

We'll be tweeting along with the Facebook chat using #PaidLeave, so use these sample tweets in English and Spanish to keep the conversation going:

After 21 years, the #FMLA needs an update! The workforce, economy & caregiving responsibilities have changed since its passage. #PaidLeave

Después de 21 años, #FMLA necesita ser actualizada! Trabajadores, economía y responsabilidades de papás han cambiado. #PaidLeave

 

DID YOU KNOW?: Access to #paidleave helps close the gender #wagegap! #WEmatter #EqualPay

¿Sabía que el acceso a la ausencia pagada ayuda a cerrar la brecha salarial entre mujeres y hombres? #WEmatter #EqualPay

 

When having a baby is a leading cause of poverty spells in the U.S., it's obvious we need #PaidLeave. #WEmatter

Cuando el tener un bebé es una de las causas de pobreza en los EEUU, es obvio que se necesita #PaidLeave. #WEmatter

 

Selena delivered son 6 wks early on Thurs,was released from hospital on Fri &back at desk on Mon. We need #PaidLeave! http://www.momsrising.org/member_stories

Selena dio luz a un hijo 6 semanas prematuro un jueves, salió del hospital el viernes y regresó a su trabajo el lunes. #WEmatter #PaidLeave

 

The wage penalty for motherhood has not improved in 30 years. #PaidLeave could help close the #wagegap. #WEmatter http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/08/07/3468715/motherhood-penalty/

La penalidad salarial de las madres no ha cambiado en 30 años. La ausencia pagada podría cerrar la brecha salarial por género. #WEmatter

 

Workers shouldn't have to choose between caring for their families & keeping their jobs. We need the #FAMILYAct! #PaidLeave #WEMatter

Los trabajadores no deberían decidir entre cuidar a sus familias y proteger sus trabajos.  Necesitamos #FAMILYAct! #PaidLeave #WEmatter

 

Is #paidleave important to you, your friends & your family? Take action to support the #FAMILYAct today: http://bit.ly/1t58m9s #WEmatter

Si la ausencia pagada es importante para ud, sus amigos y su familia, actúe para apoyarla: http://bit.ly/1t58m9s #WEMatter #FAMILYAct

 

Our families and communities are stronger when workers have access to #paidleave. It's time for the #FAMILYAct! #WEmatter

Las familias y comunidades se fortalecen cuando los trabajadores tienen acceso a ausencia pagada. Es hora de aprobar #FAMILYAct! #WEmatter

 

#FMLA has protected workers’ jobs for 21 years, but we need more. We deserve time to care for health & family. #PaidLeave #WEmatter

#FMLA ha protegido a los trabajadores por 21 años, pero necesitamos más. Todos merecemos tiempo para cuidar nuestra salud y familia. #WEmatter

 

What would #paidleave for your health or your family mean in your life? Tell us using the #WEmatter hashtag! Support the #FAMILYAct.

¿Que significaría en su vida la ausencia pagada para su salud y familia? Díganos usando el hashtag #WEmatter! Apoye el #FAMILYAct.

 

#WEmatter. Our stories matter. Share your experience of needing #paidleave for yourself or your #family: http://www.momsrising.org/member_stories

#WEmatter. Nuestras historias importan. Comparta su experiencia de necesitar ausencia pagada para usted o su familia: http://www.momsrising.org/member_stories

 


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of MomsRising.org.

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