By Lindsay Dahl, Deputy Diretor
It’s the first week back to work after the holidays and we’re getting into the swing of things at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. I spent a lovely holiday with my family in Minnesota: played with my nieces and sisters (me and my niece Casey below), helped my best friend paint his kitchen and spent some down time reflecting on last year.
How did you spend your holiday? Let us know on our Facebook wall.
After the holiday break, it usually takes me a few days to sink my teeth into the work ahead. But this year I was inspired to get right into it after some of my holiday experiences. Over and over I noticed how the quest for safer chemicals affects so many areas of our lives. I sympathized with my family as they talked about the struggle to find safe holiday gifts. My friend and I painted his kitchen (which looks fabulous), but I kept thinking about how the paint contains hormone-disrupting chemicals. Holiday shopping and bonding over a house project should be fun. C’mon!
"We saw an amazing increase in engagement from people like you, our coalition partners and businesses."
The good news is that the work we did together in 2011, and will continue in the New Year, is moving us forward in our quest for safer chemicals. Will you email a New Year's wish to Congress today?
I want to thank all of you (yes you!) for your continued dedication and advocacy in 2011. We saw an amazing increase in engagement from people like you, our coalition partners and businesses. Creating a healthier world for all of our families is tough work, and your persistence has paid off.
For example, when we took a different approach to communicating with Congress and asked for family pictures, you answered the call to action. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and families from all 50 states submitted family holiday photos to our Holiday Card to Congress. Check out this adorable picture my sister's family submitted.
If you haven’t seen the final card and our video, please check it out and share with your Members of Congress. It tells the story of families like you that are dedicated to passing the Safe Chemicals Act.
As you may remember there was a legislative hearing in November of 2011 and the hearing gave new momentum the Safe Chemicals Act. More Senators showed up to voice their support than past hearings, thousands of you tuned in to watch the hearing online and participated in our chat. Perhaps one of the most important outcomes of the hearing was to see who really supports reform.
While one can never guess what will happen in Congress, we are excited to work with you in 2012 to push for safer chemicals and healthy families. Are you ready to work in your community, talk to your friends, use social media and contact your Senators in support of the Safe Chemicals Act? I look forward to personally working with you to make this happen.
In a time where people have every right to be tired of “politics” it is up to us to tell them why supporting smart laws in Congress and your state is incredibly important. Passing protective bills and politics are related, but two separate things. Let us work together to spread that message in the New Year.
To show your dedication to a safe and healthy future, take our action today. We want to make sure every Congressional office sees our Holiday Card! Send your email to Congress now.
