When Every Penny Counts

Hilda Guzman and her child

(From our friends at PathWays PA)

"You can't get special treatment since a man can't get pregnant."

That's what Hilda Guzman was told when she asked to sit on a stool while working as a cashier on an 8-to-10 hour shift at a dollar store in Long Island.

Unfortunately, as her pregnancy continued, Hilda began to experience complications. The pressure from standing all day caused bleeding and premature labor pains. These physical problems landed her in the emergency room and eventually on bed rest. This also forced Hilda's family to live on one paycheck at a time when every penny counted. Hilda believes this all could have been avoided if she could've had a stool.

Enough is enough. It's time to take action - for Hilda and for the thousands of women across the country who are forced to make a choice between losing their jobs and endangering their pregnancies.

That's why PathWays PA is fighting back. We are joining forces with organizations across the country in a week of action in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Lots of pregnant women don't need any changes on the job - but some do, and for them the stakes are high. This is a common-sense piece of legislation that would require employers to make reasonable accommodations when workers need them because of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions - just as they are already required to do for disabilities.

And with your help, we want to send 35,000 messages of support for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to Congress. Please join us today!

Why 35,000?

Well, 35 years ago this week the Pregnancy Discrimination Act was signed into law. But we obviously have a lot more work to do. And we don't want to wait another 35 years before women like Hilda can get fair treatment. That's why we need to generate enough support to get the attention of our Members of Congress. The more they hear from their constituents about this bill, the more likely they are to act.

Thanks again for all of your support.

- PathWays PA


P.S. To read more about Hilda, check out her full story here. http://www.nwlc.org/resource/fair-treatment-pregnant-workers-hilda-guzzmans-story