Join Sisters Organize for Survival,
a campaign of Seattle Radical Women,
in building a movement for publicly funded childcare for poor and working families
The need is huge and the options are limited. More than 300,000 children need care because their parents work; but only 174,210 childcare spaces exist statewide. Childcare fees are astronomical -- rivaling college tuition costs. Infant care averages $1029 a month and toddler care averages $866 per month. Working families can't afford this, much less single parents. Women are frequently forced out of the workforce to care for youngsters, putting even more strain on families. The health and well-being of society's youngest members are everyone's responsibility -- the state should be required to provide for our most vulnerable and needy inhabitants. Quality childcare and early learning programs have been linked to success in school and later in life. Making such programs available to everyone in need would be a win-win for society as a whole. With sufficient government funds there could be good wages so that highly trained and skilled workers can stay in this field. Community and parent control will ensure that care is culturally sensitive and high quality. SOS calls for: • 24-hour, publicly funded, comprehensive childcare on a sliding scale affordable to all • Living wages, benefits and union representation for childcare workers and providers • Boost funds for childcare, jobs and human services by taxing the rich and corporations The Childcare Campaign furthers the work done in previous SOS organizing. Over the past four years, SOS has battled to save Basic Health and worked to get unions and community organizations to present a unified front against cuts to the Washington state legislature. We've called for taxing the rich and corporations, and closing loopholes that give business a free ride. SOS has showed how Washington could save jobs, pay for all needed social services and fully fund education by changing this state's regressive tax structure. SOS presents realistic alternatives to the tax impasse, while bringing natural allies together to fight on issues. Get involved in the Childcare Campaign! SOS meetings are the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Call 206-722-6057 or email rwseattle@mindspring.com for times and locations. |
Gender Pay Gap and Childcare: letter published in Seattle Times Childcare campaign Statement of Purpose Childcare FAQ ABCs of Childcare Mother's Day Parade – Act Now for Women and Kids Saturday, May 11, 2pm Stevens Place Park, Beacon Hill, Seattle 
Leaflet Rally video 1 Rally video 2 Sponsored by SOS and the Pacific Northwest Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander Endorsers: Central Area Chamber of Commerce • Colectivo Ixmucane • Creativity Not Control • Dyke Community Activists • Rev. Rich Lang, University Temple, United Methodist Church* • Linde Knighton, Progressive Party state chair* • LEMS Bookstore • National Lawyers Guild, Seattle Chapter • No New Jim Crow Seattle Campaign • Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity • POWER (People Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights) • Radical Women • Seattle Freedom Socialist Party • Seattle University Society of Feminists • Urban Press • Washington Federation of State Employees 304 • Women in Black • Young Women of Purpose *For identification only Previous SOS campaigns
SOS evaluates 2011-12 activity
Fact sheet: Raising sales tax is no solution State workers pass resolution against sales tax increase SOS budget brochure: Tax the 1%! Stop stealing from the needy! printable version OCCUPY THE CAPITOL Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2011, Olympia --Time for militant action against cuts! --Occupy the Capitol leaflet --Occupy the Capitol calendar --Sample resolution in support of Occupy the Capitol KOMO radio interviews SOS Coordinator Gina Petry Video: SOS coordinator speaks at 11/19/11 Jobs Not Cuts Rally Testimony on DSHS Cuts, Oct. 2011 Statement: Democrats side with corporate fat cats Legislation session HOTLIST (Spring 2011) Act Now to Defend Jobs and Services (Spring 2011) April Week of Action, Olympia 2011 FLIP the FUNDING! SOS Alternative Budget SOS rallies outside all-cuts special session, 12/11/10 Oct. 16 Public Forum on I-1098: Fund Health and Schools – Tax the Rich! January 22 rally for abortion rights and Basic Health --interview on KBCS radio --News Tribune & Olympian story --photos & Olyblog story Jan. 12 - State of emergency rally for Basic Health -- photos from the rally (by ^Berd) Real Change puts SOS on the front page! 12/6/09 Rally says "Don't Scrooge" Basic Health --video clip 11/4/09 Tribunal Finds State Guilty of Neglect of the Poor --view public comments --view testimony on national plan (Videos by Elliot Stoller) --tribunal endorsers |