b"Finally, I would encourage nannies to network and be active in their nannycommunity so they can learn from each other, especially about industrystandards. It is wonderful to secure basic rights but that doesnt meanminimumwageisthenormorwhatweareactuallystrivingfor.Whennannies are engaged in the community, they learn about the going rate inspecificareasaswellasindustrybenefits,andtheyshouldfeelencouraged to ask for a rate that reflects their skills and abilities. Whenthey learn about specific laws that protect them, they are also empoweredand eager to educate prospective employers and fellow nannies. How can domestic workers advocate for change?I think it is important to highlight that small acts have big impact. You canstart by sharing your concerns with your representativesthrough email,phone, or social mediaand though this may be intimidating for some, Ilove to remind nannies that politicians were voted to represent us and workfor us. They are actually quite happy to hear from their constituents! Nanniesandotherdomesticworkerscanjoinandbeactiveinorganizations that work hard to change legislation, such as the NationalDomestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), which has successfully passed domesticworker laws in nine states so far. The NDWA also provides education andleadership opportunities for members to learn how to engage in civic life. At the very minimum, I would encourage you to join a local nanny group ornanny association such as the International Nanny Association or the USNannyAssociationsoyoucannetworkandhavetheseimportantconversations. Is there a misconception that united domestic workers groups aremade up of workers who are not authorized to work in the US? Does itmatter if they are? There are 2.5 million domestic workers in the United States, and while theyall come from different backgrounds, it is true the majority are immigrantsand women of color. I am an immigrant; I came here on a J1 visa as an aupair and put myself through college and grad schoolTWICE. I hold twomasters degrees and run a small business while still choosing to work as ananny because I am passionate about this work. Advocacy and activismwork is run by workers who share a passion not only for the work itself butthe work conditions and the people doing this work. They are committed tothe evolution of an industry that has, for many centuries, being neglectedand failed to be recognized as real work. They are passionate about itbecause they are also the ones living the struggle and exploitation everysingle day. These workers are the backbone of our industry; therefore, theyneed a voice and platform to make the invisible visible. Manyorganizationsthatorganizedomesticworkershavediversememberships of nannies, au pairs, house cleaners, and home care workers.Thisincludesworkersfromallovertheworldwhospeakdifferentlanguages, have different immigration journeys, and so on. The strength ofthe domestic workers' movementand our ability to push for dignity andstrong protections for all nannies and other domestic workerscomes fromthese organizations' ability to bring together tens of thousands of workersto push for a collective vision in which these workers are treated with thedignity and respect we deserve. It is only with these great numbers, as acollective, that real change can be made on the legislative side, so theinclusion of all domestic workers is imperative for change.34 Summer 2020|NannyMag.com"