A growing number of people are calling for action to promote the economic security of women and families, building on the momentum and activism seen at the local, state and national levels so far this year, including at the first ever White House Summit on Working Families.

Under the umbrella #WEmatter, organizations and individuals nationwide are taking to social media on August 26, Women’s Equality Day – the national celebration of the day Congress stopped denying women the right to vote. Together, the groups aim to send a message to lawmakers: Women’s economic issues – and their votes – matter. The groups believe economic security is intrinsically linked to community security and in the midst of the tragedy of Ferguson, #WEmatter raises an important vision of economic, gender, and racial justice.

#WEmatter represents a unified call for action and accountability that is not limited to a single issue or policy prescription. Instead, the effort recognizes that a range of policy changes, such as fair pay, paid leave, fair schedules, quality care and an end to gender and racial discrimination, are needed to strengthen families and the economy.

#WEmatter brings together a large and diverse group of individuals, organizations and coalitions currently working on a spectrum of issues with one common goal: ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Groups joining the effort include: 9to5, National Association of Working Women; American Association of University Women; A Better Balance; AFSCME; Black Women’s Roundtable; Center on Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Color of Change; Family Values @ Work and its 21 state coalitions; Interfaith Worker Justice; Labor Project for Working Families; Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO; Make It Work; Mi Familia Vota; MomsRising; National Consumers League; National Council of Jewish Women; National Domestic Workers Alliance; National Employment Law Project; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Women’s Law Center; OUR Walmart; Reproductive Health Technologies Project; ROC-United; UltraViolet; USAction; Women’s Voices Women Vote Action Fund; Working America. (List in formation.)

Individuals interested in following the movement on social media or learning more should follow #WEmatter on Twitter.

This release is also available in Spanish. 

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#WEmatter represents a diverse and growing number of individuals, organizations and coalitions nationwide that are coming together to build support for the issues and policies that are of critical importance to the economic stability and success of women, families and the nation. #WEmatter supporters are united around a common message: “We are women and families, and the issues we care about matter. We matter.” Launched for Women’s Equality Day on August 26, the unified call for action and accountability is aimed at linking activity happening across the country and raising awareness of urgently needed policy and cultural changes.