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TO: YWCA Leaders

FROM: YWCA USA Communications

DATE: February 17, 2017

SUBJECT: Women's Strike and Recent Statements

Dear YWCA Leaders,

We have been closely monitoring the development of "A Day Without A Woman" general strike that is being planned in conjunction with the Women's March. We support the continued work and activism taking place to protect the rights of women and girls in our country, especially those who are most marginalized. We recognize and support the goals of the event, "A Day Without A Woman." This day is an opportunity for all of us to come together and speak out for gender equality in the workforce. Together we can raise awareness about policies that perpetrate oppression and highlight the reality that our economy is reliant on the labor of women.

At the same time, we recognize that the women we are most reliant on in our economy, such as caretakers, domestic workers, home-care workers, and low-wage workers, among others, face the most risk should they take an entire day to strike. For these women, who are predominantly women of color, their economic security is made more tenuous due to a number of factors, such as lack of worker protections, low wages, and lack of workplace leave policies. For many women, missing a day of work can mean the difference between food on the table and an empty refrigerator. These women likely won't be able to participate in "A Day Without A Woman." We also recognize that many women, such as countless YWCA workers across the country, provide critical services and support for their communities, and that striking for an entire day has the potential to put the safety and security of the women and families we serve at risk.

Therefore, we are encouraging the organizers behind "A Day Without A Woman," as well as any YWCAs that are planning to participate in the event, to consider and identify alternative ways to participate, so that every woman can have the opportunity to take part in this event without putting her livelihood and economic security at risk. We also need to ensure that women and families who seek critical help from services often provided by women will be able to obtain them on this day. As an organization whose mission it is to support and empower women, we want women to be able to participate in "A Day Without A Woman" without endangering the safety and security of women and families. We await that guidance from the organizers, but if that doesn't materialize we will develop our own plan.

In addition, we want to share the following statements that we issued this week:

• February 16, 2017 - YWCA USA Comment on Alexander Acosta
• February 16, 2017 - YWCA USA Supports the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act of 2017
• February 16, 2017 - YWCA USA Interim CEO Speaks Out About Detained DV Survivor
• February 15, 2017 - YWCA Voices Support for Those Covered by the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival Program

Sincerely,

YWCA USA Communications