 In 2001, two things changed my life. I became a mom and I broke my back. Within just a matter of a couple of months, I had to take time to care for myself and for my newborn son. That time was unpaid because our nation does not have paid family and medical leave. I knew that millions of families like mine must be experiencing the same thing across this country. So I started organizing. In 2012, I ran for state senate in Rhode Island. And in 2013, I made sure that paid family leave became a reality. Since then, thousands of Rhode Island families have been able to take paid family leave to care for their loved ones when they needed it. At the Women's Bureau, we know that paid family and medical leave is essential. It's good for workers, it's good for families and it's good for gender equity. And that's why we're making sure people know about paid leave. Please go to our website to learn more about our paid leave issue briefs and research.