We’re writing to you today with a deep sense of profound excitement and renewed commitment to our shared values of equity and fairness in the workplace. As many of you know, Kamala Harris has become the presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election. This historic moment marks a significant step forward in our country’s path toward greater representation, equity, and inclusion for all.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace go beyond simply acknowledging differences. Supporting these concepts involves creating spaces where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Kamala Harris’s nomination reminds us why our work in promoting DEI is so important. While she isn’t a perfect candidate (we don’t believe such a thing even exists), we do believe she stands for similar values to our own. Here are some of the stances she’s taken that are directly related to the workplace, and why we’re so excited about her candidacy*:
- Reproductive rights and maternal health care. The choice is clear: if you support the right of a woman to choose, to have access to birth control, and quality care during pregnancy, Harris is the right candidate. She made what is believed to be the first visit by a vice president or president to an abortion clinic. In times such as these, this is critically important. As these rights are taken away, the most vulnerable people are low-wage workers, who will struggle to find access to care. Harris has and can continue to defend our rights.
- Workers rights. Labor leaders have already declared the current administration one of the most beneficial for working people, and Harris has cast tie-breaking votes to save the pensions of over one million union members and retirees and expand the child tax credit to help millions of families.
- Healthcare and paid leave for all. Harris advocates for healthcare for all and a reduction in medical expenses and drugs priced so high they’re destroying lives. She supports paid leave for all. As a reminder, the US is one of the only countries that doesn’t offer a minimum of six weeks of paid maternity leave. The global average is 18 weeks.
- Climate change. As we see people working in increasingly dangerous conditions due to climate change, we need someone to advocate for safety. We also need someone to advocate for legislation that will promote renewable energy, create more jobs, and reduce taxes for people who take advantage of climate-friendly policies. Harris is a fierce proponent of these changes.
- Income inequality. As a senator, Harris introduced the LIFT the Middle Class Act, offering a tax credit of up to $6,000 for middle- and low-income families. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a sitting president advocating for leveling the playing field during a time of the greatest income inequality in American history?
- Human rights. Harris continuously and vociferously supports LGBTQIA+ rights and civil rights. It’s really hard to focus on work if you’re constantly worried about how you show up at work, having a marginalized identity, being treated unfairly, and possibly even being in danger. Until we get to a point where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, the workplace, and the world, will continue to suffer.
We’re inspired by Kamala Harris’s work and the promise it holds for the future. Together, we can build on this momentum to create workplaces that truly reflect the diversity and dynamism of our country. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to this work.
*Please note that we understand that Kamala Harris is far from perfect. We would argue that in a country as big and as diverse as ours, the best we can hope for is an opportunity to move forward with someone who will fight for us and not against us in as many ways as possible. We firmly believe that that person, in this moment, is Kamala Harris.