NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice Applauds Healthy Families Act

For Immediate Release: March 14, 2019
Contact: Lee Morrow, lmorrow@networklobby.org, 202-601-7871

NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice Applauds Healthy Families Act
Catholic Advocate tells her story of paid family and medical leave

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Healthy Families Act was introduced in the House of Representatives. Tralonne Shorter, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice Senior Government Relations Advocate, issued the following statement:

“Inspired by Catholic social justice, NETWORK believes that workplace and labor policies must respect the dignity of every human being, and recognize the needs of every human being to be in community with one another. The Healthy Families Act does just that.

“The issue of universal paid leave is deeply personal for me as a single mom juggling duties of caring for my son, aging parents and myself while working full-time. Over the past 4 months I’ve endured unexpected personal crisis including the death of my father in January after a year-long battle with end stage renal failure. Since November I’ve been absent from work for 20 days and used an assortment of leave including: paid sick, personal, vacation and bereavement.

“I am thankful to work at a progressive organization like NETWORK, where leave is not punished. Had I worked someplace else, I am certain I would have been fired after being forced to take unpaid leave.

“Now’s the time for Congress to pass the Healthy Families Act so that every employer can provide a pro-family friendly workplace that reflects the current and future nature of families and women in the workforce.”

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 46-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org