Many individuals and organizations across the country have been working for years to enact policies that ensure workers are able to do things like care for themselves or a loved one when they are ill, be home with a newborn during those crucial first few months, spend time with a dying family member, or heal from the trauma of sexual or intimate partner violence - And all without worrying about losing their paycheck. While to many, policies like Paid Family Medical Leave and Paid Safe Days seem like a basic human decency that we all deserve, the fight for such policies has been anything but easy.

Today's guest, Josephine Kalipeni is one of the leaders navigating this fight across the country. From a local organizer, to consulting, to executive level leadership, Josephine Kalipeni has been working in economic, racial, and gender justice policy and advocacy for more than 20 years. Born in Malawi and raised in the Midwest by immigrant parents, (and as the oldest of six children) Josie has personally navigated immigration, a bicultural identity, caregiving, and racism in Africa and North America. She initially worked in social work, where she witnessed systemic issues that drove her into progressive advocacy, particularly on issues of Medicaid, elder care, and caregiving. Josie is working to rethink traditional systems of work and leadership and ensure that everyone can give and receive care on their own terms.

In this conversation, Josie and I explore how policies that increase economic supports for families are deeply connected to sexual violence prevention. More than that, though- we really dive into the idea that this country has decided who is and is not deserving of dignity when it comes to rest and care, and what we can do to change that.

LINKS:
Don't Leave Your Friends Behind - Victoria Law and China Martens
The Need for Paid Safe Leave & Model Legislative Language
Emergent Strategy - Adrienne Marie Brown

Both/And is a project of the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.
www.nmcsap.org

Intro music: "Can't Get Enough Sunlight" written and recorded by Michelle Chamuel http://michellechamuel.com/
Logo: Alex Ross-Reed
Produced by: Jess Clark
Edited By: Dacia Clay at Pillow Fort Studios
https://www.pillowfortpodcasts.com