We the undersigned call on the United States Congress to enact universal, paid, maternity leave for all new mothers.

The Family and Medical Leave Act does not help families who cannot afford to miss a paycheck. Some women have complications during pregnancy that mean they use up FMLA leave before the baby is born. Other women suffer from post-natal depression or other issues that mean they need longer to recover. All women deserve the right to spend quality time with their new babies without worrying about financial pressures. It is our fervent hope that one or more Congressmen/women will draft legislation that provides for more humane maternity leave for American women. This is not just a woman's right but a children's right and a human right-all mothers should have the right to paid maternity. The US has fallen behind the rest of the developed world in providing maternity leave-let's change this.