Olympian Allyson Felix launches childcare for early voters

PATRICK SMITH | GETTY IMAGES

Allyson Felix celebrates with her daughter Camryn after finishing second in the Women’s 400 Meters Final on day three of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon

Allyson Felix, seven-time Olympic track and field gold medalist, is partnering with the non-profit Chamber of Mothers to support mothers seeking childcare while they vote.

Together, they will reimburse families for up to two hours of babysitting with a provider of their choice while parents cast their ballot.

“You should never have to choose between your profession, your passions, and motherhood,” Felix said. “I’m honored to partner with Chamber of Mothers to tell moms that this election, you don’t have to choose between voting and motherhood. This election, you can do both.”

Felix and Chambers of Mothers are working with Politisit to specifically fund childcare in the Tar Heel state due to its designation as an undecided battleground constituency that will be crucial to determining lawmakers in the 2024 election cycle. The groups were moved by the deterrents faced by mothers of color and families impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“Black mothers there continue to be severely under-resourced, North Carolina is a childcare desert, their vote here truly matters, and so many have been further challenged by the recent horrific storm,” the website reads.

In western North Carolina, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene, Chamber of Mothers will reimburse up to a full day’s worth of childcare so moms can vote.

Felix knows first-hand the struggles of balancing motherhood, employment and other responsibilities. After becoming pregnant with her daughter, Nike, her athletic sponsor cut her pay 70%.

Instead of staying, Felix turned a new leaf by signing with Athleta, a women-focused apparel company. The switch motivated her to be more active in finding pathways for mothers to succeed across the globe and also transformed the sports world as Nike and other companies added maternity protections due to public backlash.

“We are so grateful to Allyson Felix for lending her voice and leadership in this way,” said Erin Erenberg, CEO and founder of Chamber of Mothers. “Given her work advocating for better care for moms, and dispersing funds to Black maternal health organizations, and even creating the first-ever nursery at the Paris Olympics, we can’t think of anyone better suited than Allyson to come on board with us … to better equip and encourage moms to get out to vote.”

Mothers interested in securing childcare during voting intervals can text Mother to 26797 or visit ChambersofMothers.com.

Comments