Make it Work partners with Iowa agency to advocate for paid leave, equal pay

DES MOINES - The walls inside a small room in Progress Iowa's office are adorned with Iowans' stories of challenges they have faced at home.

'Katie” from Des Moines said that when her child was born prematurely, she was allowed only two weeks off from work.

'Ms. Jordan” said she is a single mom of 5-year-old twins who lost her job when she had to take leave to care for her children.

These are the stories advocates are collecting in an effort to push for what they say would be stronger policies for families, including paid family days and sick leave.

The national advocacy group Make it Work has been working in Iowa, knocking on doors to spread its message and approaching presidential candidates to obtain their take on the issues. The group has partnered with Progress Iowa for its work in the state.

'No one should have to worry about keeping their job or paying the rent when they're battling an illness, a child is born or a parent is in their final days,” the group's literature says.

Make it Work's top issues are paid sick days and family leave, protections for pregnant workers, affordable child and elder care and equal pay for equal work.

'These are the issues that people fall asleep at night worried about,” said Vivien Labaton, co-founder of Make it Work. 'We've created a campaign to move the needle on those issues but also to tap into that energy.”

The Make it Work campaign is not trying to influence candidates. Rather, it is working on the grass-roots level to educate voters and encourage them to support candidates who support the policies they think will create stronger families.

Their volunteers were at the State Fair, asking presidential candidates for their stands on the issues. Make it Work also had a stand selling lemonade for $1 to men and 78 cents to women to highlight studies that show women make, on average, 78 cents for every dollar men make doing the same work. The group plans to have a similar stand at the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game Sept. 12 in Ames.

Make it Work is focused in central Iowa but hopes to expand, particularly in Eastern Iowa. The group's leaders said Iowans have been eager to share their stories.

'There's a real energy and desire to see more action,” co-founder Tracy Sturdivant said. 'When you give someone the opportunity to talk, it just comes pouring out.”