So much has happened over here at ArtPatti HQ since the Call Your Girlfriend episode aired last week! If you listen to the newest episode you can hear a quick update I sent to Amina and Ann, too!
Here's what I'm really excited about:
- Almost 800 people have taken the quiz at billthepatriarchy.com
- The total amount of self-reported unpaid labor is reaching 80 MILLION DOLLARS (for just one year of work!)
A few interesting averages:
- Salary: $100,000
- Time spent CLEANING: 9.5 hours
- Time spent COOKING: 7.8 hours
- Time spent on HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT: 8.3 hours
- Time spent on CHILDCARE: 80 hours (!!!!)
As tax season kicks into full gear, imagine how different things would look if all this work was accounted for. If you are at home, imagine not missing out on social security, disability and sick days. Imagine this work being enough to qualify for health insurance. Imagine what you would do if you had access to affordable high-quality child care.
If we lined up our all invoices printed on standard 8.5 x 11 sheets, they would tower as high as the Golden Gate bridge! (745 feet high x 560 feet wide)
Image Credit: Golden Gate Bridge by Bahman via Flickr
Image description: Golden Gate Bridge with large invoice super-imposed on top, same height as the bridge.
This project is all about making invisible labor, visible. I love the idea of our hours, our sacrifices, our work finally being seen. Finally taking up space in the world and hopefully, finally getting noticed.
About half of you have chosen to send your invoices on to your elected representatives, which makes us a constituency to be reckoned with: almost 400 strong after one week.
Can you help us reach a thousand next week?! Just share the quiz with every caregiver you know, and encourage them to send a message to their representatives. Like many of you have said in your messages, "Once we know our value, we won't agree to work for free."
The matriarchy is here, and I am so excited to build it with you.