SOCIAL JUSTICE BLOG
Read and share extraordinary stories from the frontlines of social change
Impact Fund Spring Grants Support Women, Kids, and People of Color Seeking Justice
In our spring grantmaking cycle, we granted $131,500 to support three impact lawsuits across the country. Our new grantees are doing incredible work to protect the rights of foster youth, challenge the racially biased use of surveillance technology, and prevent gender discrimination in insurance pricing. We are grateful to be supporting these important cases—these are the compelling stories behind them.
Ending Racist and Sexist Exclusion of Caregivers from Critical Labor Standards in Washington
Despite the high priority of their work and its inherent danger, live-in caregivers in the state of Washington may be paid shockingly subminimum wages without any access to state-mandated sick leave. They often work 24-hour shifts without uninterrupted breaks or sleep. Caregivers provide personal care and companionship for residents, assisting residents in bathing, dressing, eating, moving about, taking medication, and attending appointments. This care sometimes includes shifting immobile patients in bed to prevent pressure ulcers. Our clients’ work caused them to suffer musculoskeletal injuries and viral infections, including COVID-19.
Google Employees Champion Equal Pay, Challenge Gender-Based Discrimination On Behalf Of 17,000 Class Members
Kelly, Heidi, Holly, and Kelli championed the claims of approximately 17,000 class members alleging that Google was paying women less than men performing substantially similar work and assigning women to lower salary levels than men with similar qualifications and experience. All four named plaintiffs took the risk that they would be blackballed in the tech field by putting their names on the publicly filed docket.
Class Action Hall of Fame, Class of 2022: Title IX Champions for Equality in Women's Sports
As the case worked its way through the legal system, my teammates and I learned more and more about the history of women and sports, Title IX, the promises that had been made yet not fulfilled and the injustices that exist(ed) everywhere. We realized that this case was about much more than just getting our gymnastics team back. We became Title IX warriors.