MEDIA ADVISORY

100 Million Thanks!

Tuesday is the 20th Anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act

Washington, D.C. — January 31, 2013— In the 20 years since President Bill Clinton made the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) the first bill he signed into law, workers have used it 100 million times to take job-protected time to care for themselves, their husbands and wives, sons and daughters, and mothers and fathers when serious illness struck or new babies came. The National Partnership for Women & Families wrote this historic law and led the broad-based coalition that convinced Congress to pass it. The organization, which has defended and worked to improve the FMLA ever since, is the nation’s foremost expert on family friendly policies. Its experts are available to discuss the FMLA’s impact and the next steps needed to make the country more family friendly. The organization can also identify workers across the country who have used the FMLA when they needed leave most. A wealth of information about the FMLA will be available here »

On Monday, on the eve of this milestone anniversary, the National Partnership will host a congressional reception in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the law’s success and look to the future. There will be additional activity Tuesday and throughout the week, to kick off a yearlong celebration.

Formerly the Women’s Legal Defense Fund, the National Partnership is working to improve the FMLA to cover more workers who need leave for more reasons, and to enact a national paid family and medical leave insurance program.

To speak to a National Partnership leader about the FMLA and next steps in advancing family friendly policies, contact Sadie Kliner (skliner@nationalpartnership.org) via email or at 202-986-2600.

• WHAT:
  Congressional reception to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act

• WHEN:
  5:00-7:00pm, Monday, February 4, 2013

• WHERE:
  Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 201, Washington, D.C.

• WHO:
  Speakers and guests include: National Partnership for Women & Families President Debra L. Ness, Senior Advisor Judith L. Lichtman, workers from Texas and Michigan, a businessman from New Jersey, former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd (D), former House member Connie Morella (R), and some 20 current members of Congress.

• NOTE:
  Credentialed media interested in attending the congressional reception must RSVP in advance to Sadie Kliner (skliner@nationalpartnership.org) via email or at 202-986-2600.