Who We Are

We are mamas and caregivers building a movement across race, class, gender, sexuality, age, ability, and immigration status to fight for economic and reproductive justice for mamas and other caregivers. We advocate for bold policies that value caregiving — the work that makes all other work possible. History has shown that without our direct advocacy, people in power won’t change the systems or create the laws that will level the playing field for women across the income spectrum, for women of color, or for other caregivers — so we are demanding change.

What We Believe

• Families come in all shapes and sizes, and our laws should be updated to include all of us.
• From the beginning of one’s life to the end, caregiving is vital to the health of our families and communities. It is essential to our economy, but because it is usually done in private and by self-identifying women, it is ignored and not seen as important.
• Women are twice as likely as men to provide unpaid family care, whether it is for children, aging parents, or a family member with a disability, even if it means having to work less or leave their jobs entirely. Unpaid time away from work and missed chances for wages, raises or promotions are some of the many reasons that self-identifying women and mamas retire into poverty at much higher rates than men.
• The low wages and benefits that the care workforce, which is disproportionately made up of women of color, receives doesn’t reflect the true value of care either.
• When the vital work of caregiving is truly valued, by each of us and by people in power, all of our families will be able to thrive, not just survive.
• If we want all women, no matter our differences, to face fewer barriers and have more opportunities, we have to address the ways that the U.S.’s sexist and racist culture disproportionately harms Black, Indigenous, and women of color.

What We Do

• We lead the fight to pass statewide laws that will allow Oregon mamas and caregivers to not just survive, but to thrive — financially and in their lives as a whole.
• We provide leadership development opportunities and political education to mamas and caregivers across race, class, gender, sexuality, age, ability, and immigration status, so that all of us can meaningfully participate in civic engagement.
• Through our sister organization The Mother PAC, we elect candidates who will fight for inclusive laws and will try to fix the system that has left too many of us behind for too long.

Our Definition of Equity

Family Forward believes in a comprehensive approach to equity, where people from all races, genders, classes, languages, sexual orientations, abilities, religions, and non-religions have the tools to access power so that just outcomes are possible. Equity to us means not leaving behind any segment of the population for short term gain. Historically oppressed voices must be amplified and we must work together to remove barriers, create systems change, and change the dominant culture.

We can’t do this work without YOU!

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of other mamas, caregivers and our families. Join our movement!