Care was at the center of the Democrats’ economic policy initiative at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20.
The day consisted of scheduled caucus meetings exploring topics of interfaith relations, disabilities, women’s rights, and poverty. These meetings were open to any member of the public, as long as they registered through an online portal and wore a wristband to prove it, as well as conference delegates and press.
Around 100 people attended the poverty council. At the front of one of many large meeting rooms at McCormick Place sat a panel of five experts to discuss the idea that “Care Can’t Wait.”
(A caucus meeting runs slightly differently than a typical business meeting would. Instead of arriving exactly on time and staying until the meeting is over, some members of the audience may shift, arriving or leaving at various times. For reference, the poverty meeting was scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., but citizens fluctuated in and out of the conference room throughout the allotted time.)
The “Care Can’t Wait” action group invited many guest speakers to share their stories, raise questions, and speak on issues concerning poverty and care. The organization is centered around the idea that care (whether that be for children, the disabled, the elderly, etc.) drives women out of the workforce; they argue that passing “paid family and medical leave, affordable, quality childcare, expand home and community based services for older adults and people with disabilities, and create millions of good care jobs.”
One guest speaker, Chicagoan Judy Hunter, explained that she had to quit her job in order to take care of her disabled sister, who developed brain damage after having the German measles. Hunter started a cleaning business where she could work and watch her sister at the same time, but did not have access to a secure retirement plan.
“I don’t want [anybody] to up me in this position; sixty-four years old with no retirement plan,” Hunter said.
Both the panel and speakers proposed that the solution to poverty starts with investing in care, which would, in turn, work to close the wage gap.
“Studies after studies show that when we have a care infrastructure – that means paid family medical leave, that means home and community based services, that means access to childcare – that those wage caps close, and that if we achieved pay parity, we would increase our GDP by between three and five percent. That’s everybody. That’s us all winning,” executive director and CEO of MomsRising Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner said.
Guest speaker Dionne Warren followed up Rowe-Finkbeiner’s statement, claiming easily accessible care is a crucial issue for the United States.
“This economy runs on care, and care doesn’t wait for anybody,” Warren said.
For information about how West Chicago Community High School is addressing issues related to poverty and homelessness, see Sami Moesch’s feature piece: “WEGO looks to further support those in need.”
