For one week this past fall, 27,000 colorful buttons were worn on the lapels of moms, dads, employers and child care providers as they participated in a statewide Virtual Strike -- a statewide act of support for quality child care and its importance to Vermont's economy.
The Kids Are Priority One Coalition, Building Bright Futures Councils and early care and education programs organized the "what if" strike - during which early care and education programs remained open, but parents wore buttons to work that read: "This employee made possible by child care" and advocates read: "Support Vermont's Economy, Support Quality Child Care."
As part of the Virtual Strike, Building Bright Futures Councils in Lamoille, Caledonia and Southern Essex, Windsor and North Windham, Rutland and Essex held candidate forums to provide opportunities to meet legislative candidates and incumbents running for public office and learn where they stand on early childhood issues.
In East Lebanon, NH, an evening presentation on Brain Development and the Importance of Nurturing Environments proved engaging and in Burlington, a celebration featured music by early educators and presentations by legislators, providers, parents, and business leaders. Below is an excerpt from a speech by Anna Behm Masozera (below with family).
Quotes
"When we were expecting Marie Claire, we were about to enter a world that we had no prior knowledge of- diapering systems, parenting techniques, and child care. Child care is now the central part of our lives. It provides Marie Claire with an environment that fuels her creativity and sense of self and her social skills. It provides me and my husband with the ability to physically make it work, jobs that we need to survive while both of us are also continuing our education. Not only getting us physically there, it allows us to focus on what we are paid to do, without having to worry about the well-being of our daughter, making us productive employees.
... Now it is clear to us the role it plays in the underlying system of our economy. Without childcare, and without quality childcare, my husband and I wouldn't be at work, we wouldn't be contributing to Vermont's economy, and we wouldn't be bettering ourselves and our family. And without quality child care, our daughter wouldn't be poised to grow into the amazing and well-rounded person we hope her to become." - Anna Behm Masozera (above with family) speaking at Saturday's Virtual Strike Celebration in Burlington's City Park
Parents and early childhood advocates gather in Burlington's City Park
Governor Douglas wearing his button at a Pre-Kindergarten Center in St Albans
Jessica Dillon wearing her button to work in Newport Center
"When we put children and working parents first, marshaling the energy and good will of a community easily follows." - Ann Dillenbeck, Building Bright Futures Regional Director at Chittenden Countys Virtual Strike Celebration
"I was at the Brattleboro Farmers Market in the parking lot of the Co-op and there was a young woman wearing her 'virtual' button! I thanked her for participating and she said many had commented on it that day. Good work!!!" - Lynda Starorypinski, Human Resources Manager at Cersosimo Lumber Co., Inc. from Brattleboro
My child care provider noticed the button and thanked me for the recognition...she runs a daycare out of her home 5 days a week and isn't able to be "out and about" with this message. - Lilly Talbert from Montpelier
"I walked into my daycare and everyone was wearing buttons - even the kids!" -Kim Emery from West Burke
"I walked into my daycare and everyone was wearing buttons - even the kids!" -mother from West Burke??"I thinks it's a great campaign to spread the good word about all the folks who would not be at work if it weren't for their quality child care provider. Look around and imagine the workplace without all the button-wear[ers]! - Cassie Isabelle from Barre
The children at West Bee Nursery School in Brattleboro asked Lead Teacher Moriah Oldham about her "Support Vermont's economy, Support quality child care" button to which she replied: "It helps people to see how important school is." The children followed with their answers to: "Why School is IMPORTANT to ME!"