March is Women’s History Month, with International Women’s Day on March 8, a day to honor the countless women who have shaped history. Among them are those who fought for the rights of working families and recognized the essential role of child care. Family child care providers have always been at the forefront of these movements, advocating for children, families, and women’s economic independence.
Trailblazers like Abby Kelley Foster, who championed education for women and children, and Marian Wright Edelman, who founded the Children’s Defense Fund, demonstrated that early childhood care is revolutionary work. Your commitment to creating safe, nurturing environments for children allows families to pursue education, careers, and opportunities they might not otherwise have. Simply put, child care makes all other work possible.
Rayz Kidz is proud to support you — the extraordinary people who shape the next generation while upholding the foundation of our workforce. Your contributions are as groundbreaking as those of the women we celebrate this month. Together, we’re building a future where every child and every provider receives the support and recognition they deserve.
Honoring Women Pioneers in Child Care and Workers’ Rights
Throughout history, many remarkable women have fought for workers’ rights and equal pay, leaving an indelible mark on the fight for equity. Here are a few pioneers whose legacies continue to inspire:
- Luisa Moreno (1906–1992): Born in Guatemala, Moreno was a prominent labor organizer and civil rights activist in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. She worked tirelessly to improve conditions for workers in fields and canneries across the Southwest, advocating for labor rights and social justice. Her efforts significantly advanced the labor movement and the fight for the equitable treatment of Latina workers.
- Dorothy Bolden (1923–2005): Founder of the National Domestic Workers Union of America, Bolden advocated for fair wages, job protections, and dignity for domestic workers, particularly Black women. Her activism led to significant improvements in the working conditions of domestic workers and contributed to broader social and economic justice.
- Elisa Loncón Antileo (b. 1963): A Mapuche scholar and activist from Chile, Loncón has been a powerful voice for Indigenous and Latinx domestic workers, advocating for labor rights, fair wages, and workplace protections. Her work has helped bring visibility to the struggles of marginalized domestic workers in Latin America and immigrant communities in the U.S.
- Josephine Hulett (1930s–1980s): Founder of the Household Workers Organization, Hulett pushed for federal labor protections for domestic workers, who had been excluded from many major labor laws due to racial discrimination.
- Emma Tenayuca (1916–1999): Known for leading the 1938 Pecan Shellers’ Strike in San Antonio, Tenayuca’s advocacy for fair wages and better conditions for women in the labor force, including domestic workers, helped pave the way for greater labor protections for low-wage workers.
These remarkable women represent the spirit of advocacy and change that you, as a child care provider, embody every day. Your efforts in shaping young minds and supporting families are as significant as the activism of these trailblazers. Let’s continue to honor their legacies by ensuring that the fight for equity in education, the workforce, and leadership begins with access to quality early childhood care. Together, we are making history!
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