labicycles

This Wednesday, I will join other women at Tumblr and those across the world in striking on International Women’s Day, a commemorative day honoring the anniversary of the 1909 strike of the Ladies Garment Workers Union. With more than 20,000 women demanding better and safer working conditions in an unjust system, it was one of the largest union strikes in history.

A strike is not undertaken lightly, and many of the women on the front lines risked their lives in fighting for this deserved justice. It is crucial we acknowledge that strikes and human rights movements of the past have been predominantly led by low income women, immigrants, queer women, and women of color. They led, and are leading, the way to true equality.

For us, employees of Tumblr in 2017, a strike isn’t as risky. Tech is a male-dominated field, so a single day without women at Tumblr may simply mean a few empty chairs in meetings.

Tumblr provides good living wages, extensive health care coverage, and parental leave. In the United States, what should be human rights are instead considered benefits and perks associated with the tech elite and corporate class.

These privileges are why it’s imperative that we strike in solidarity with and for those who have more to lose.

On March 8th, we strike for women less fortunate than us. We demand public policy that guarantees equal pay for equal work, paid family leave, access to affordable health care, a safe workplace  and basic human rights for all women, regardless of race, religion, sexuality, disability, and gender preference. We strike in solidarity with low income women, native women, Muslim women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ and women of color who risk more than we do today.

We call for the male-dominated tech industry to hold themselves accountable for advocating for these policies. We urge all involved to use the power they have to pressure the current administration to advance equal rights for all women.

At 4pm on Wednesday, we’re attending the Women’s Rally in Washington Square. We hope you’ll join us.

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