By Mardie Hill, Home Care Worker in Atlanta, Georgia

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Home care providers, like in-home care and nursing home workers are essential, long-term care workers — and we've been on the frontlines of the pandemic since the beginning.

My work begins each day with my new client looking deep into my eyes, searching for hope. Our initial conversations usually focus on support with everyday activities like preparing meals or getting out of bed. Their eyes tell me that they’re longing for someone to listen to their stories and share in their joy and pain.

Despite our passion and skills, home care providers have been historically underpaid and undervalued, and it may not come as a surprise that most of us are Black and brown women. Structural racism is entrenched in every aspect of the long-term care system — from inadequate health care benefits to low wages — and it deeply affects our sense of well-being. As home care workers who provide essential care to people, we were more at risk —  physically, mentally and financially — during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of proper relief blatantly shows how we are not valued, protected, nor respected. Our jobs are essential, but we are treated as if we’re disposable.

When voters cast their ballots in November, we made it clear that we wanted leaders who both understand essential workers and will take on the racism woven into the fabric of our community and our lives. We elected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who pledged to do just that.

My home state of Georgia could be a critical voice in changing things with the upcoming Senate runoff election. As our country faces crises — the COVID-19 pandemic, a rising demand to care for our aging loved ones, economic crisis, and persistent racism and police violence — there’s a unique opportunity for systemic change through policies that protect the most marginalized people. Care providers like me can win a better future for ourselves and communities, while also providing better care for our clients.

Join Me In Telling Congress The Time Is Now To Provide Much Needed Relief For Long Term Care Workers.

The Biden-Harris Caregiving Workforce Plan promises a long term care system where seniors and people with disabilities — and the workers who care for them — are safe and can live with dignity. This historic plan turns essential caregiving jobs into union jobs, and puts us in a pivotal position to bring back our nation and our communities’ economy.

With higher wages and basic benefits, the plan would allow home care providers to take better care of our own families, because we would be able to work one job instead of tending to several clients. When home care workers are better protected, so are our loved ones who need the vital care we provide. By adding 1.5 million new home care jobs, more seniors and people with disabilities can live safely and comfortably at home — allowing their family members to go to work without worry and fear for their loved ones at home. The plan also calls for every home care worker to have the freedom to join a union to advocate for ourselves and our clients.

Let’s Work Together To Send Congress A Clear Message. We Demand They Respect, Pay And Protect Long Term Care Workers.

No matter how good this plan is, it won’t come to life on its own. That’s why all of us need to come together, stand up and speak out. Together, we have the power to hold our new Congress and the Biden-Harris administration accountable. That’s why I’m so excited to vote in this upcoming special election. We need to send Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to the Senate where they can help turn the Caregiving Workforce Plan into law and end the rigged rules that keep so many home care workers in poverty.

Join Color Of Change PAC: Make A Plan To Vote In Georgia On January 5!

Five years ago when I joined the Fight for $15 and a union, I made a promise to never stop fighting until everyone has livable wages and the choice to unite together in unions. We’ve made real progress toward that goal precisely because we stand up and speak out in times like these. Connecting more people to the fight and standing side by side gives us more power and fills me with more hope than ever.

Right now, we must seize this moment for Black and brown women to take our rightful place at the center of turning this country around. Together, we can make a better tomorrow by making change today. Let's stand with health care workers and demand the support, relief and respect they deserve. This is our moment to make history for essential workers everywhere.