The year 2023 has brought continued challenges in the fight for gender equality in the United States, with particular difficulties in the areas of affordable childcare and paid leave. The nation, despite its wealth, is the only developed country without a federal policy guaranteeing paid leave. This has resulted in a situation referred to as the ‘Childcare Cliff,’ causing significant issues for lower-income families and women especially.

Co-founders of theSkimm, Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin, realizing the need for change, have created a daily newsletter app and podcast with a mission to help women live smarter lives. This newsletter addresses core topics such as finance, health, family, and career, with a particular focus on the necessity of paid leave.

In response to the omission of paid family leave from President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better package, Weisberg took to social media to express her frustration. This led to a viral campaign turned global initiative titled Show Us Your Leave. This initiative aims to increase transparency about parental leave policies within the private sector and prompts businesses to take responsibility for their employees’ well-being by offering paid family leave. The campaign has developed into a public-facing database featuring the policies of over 600 companies.

Aiming for real change on a national level, theSkimm’s founders believe it’s essential to think about the context of societal perception. The #ShowUsYourLeave campaign’s goal is not to criticize businesses but rather to encourage them to show care and a dedication to change and diversity. They view paid leave as beneficial for businesses as well, hoping to cultivate a more stable, productive, and happier workforce.

TheSkimm’s founders express hope that this approach, built on transparency and employer discretion, can effect national change. Alongside separate projects such as PaidLeave.AI, a chatbot aiding parents in accessing paid leave, they aim to build a movement expanding paid family leave that depends on openness and data-driven conversations. The goal is to bring together business, politics, and social influence on the journey to more equitable childcare and leave laws.