DC Home Care Worker's Deep Roots

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Washington has a long history of women migrating to this area do to domestic work. In the early 1900’s, African-American women from Mississippi, Georgia and the Carolinas came here to work as care workers for families. These early home care workers – many of whom trained at the Nannie Helen Burroughs National Training School for Women where the motto was “Work, Support Thyself” -- were concerned about benefits, training, a career ladder, and organizing. A century later, Washington’s home care workers still struggle with the same issues. The Caring Across Generations Campaign – which kicks off in DC tomorrow with the all-day Care Congress -- is working to address these concerns through organizing and legislation. The July 12 Care Congress is free (click here to register) and features a video about care givers and care receivers in the metro DC area as well as an afternoon session for organizations interested in joining the campaign.  Email Lillian Walker Shelton at Lshelton@dclaborarchives.org for details and more info.