We interviewed Dawn about what happened behind the scenes during the 2021 near-win, why paid leave remains politically stalled and what the path forward could look like.
Here are 5 of the highlights from our conversation:
1. Paid leave is overwhelmingly popular
Polling shows that more than 90% of voters support national paid leave - one of the most widely supported policies in the country. Yet in Congress, it still gets dismissed as a “social” or “women’s” issue instead of what it really is: an economic driver and a public health tool. The gap between public opinion and political action is one of the biggest challenges Dawn and her team are working against.
2. Storytelling is what moves people
Data is powerful, but data alone won’t change minds in Washington. Dawn emphasized that when lawmakers hear directly from their constituents about how difficult it was to go without leave - or how access to it was life-changing - it hits differently. Advocates are most effective when they pair hard data with lived experiences, making it feel human and urgent to pass paid leave policies.
3. State progress helps build momentum nationally
While Congress stalls, states are taking matters into their own hands. From California to Alabama, new programs are proving that paid leave is both possible and popular across political lines. These state-level wins not only deliver immediate relief for families; they also create proof points that strengthen the national case. Local leaders are showing that paid leave is practical, sustainable and already working. Each success adds pressure on Washington to act.
4. Funding and politics will remain barriers
After the near-win in 2021, many funders pulled back - which Dawn noted is a painful reality of social movements. Everyone loves to “back a winning parade” but staying in the fight after a loss is harder. Still, the work hasn’t stopped. With renewed support from organizations like Pivotal (Melinda French Gates’s philanthropy), Paid Leave for All is doubling down on state campaigns, coalition building and creative storytelling. As Dawn puts it, you can’t predict when the next window will open - but you need to be ready when it does.
5. Paid leave is a business issue
Messaging is everything: framing paid leave as an economic and business issue is the only way to make progress. Paid leave helps businesses retain talent, reduce turnover costs and keep workers engaged. States that have implemented it are seeing higher workforce participation and stronger local economies. Yes, paid leave is the right thing to do - but it's also fiscally responsible. Treating it as part of our economic strategy, not just social policy, is key to moving it forward.
How to get involved in the paid leave movement
The fight for paid leave isn’t just in Washington - it’s happening in workplaces and communities every day.
You can push for stronger policies at work, talk to your representatives about why paid leave matters to you and join campaigns like Paid Leave for All to advocate for change in the U.S.
Even small steps - asking about paid leave in job interviews, helping folks think differently in workplace conversations or sharing your caregiving story publicly - make a difference.
For more info on how to join, and to receive news and resources, visit paidleaveforall.org.
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
Text link
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript
