Media Center | Child Care Aware of America

The Forgotten Essential Workers: Women of Color in Child Care

Written by Lynette Fraga, Ph.D. | May 12, 2020 12:13:57 PM

Real Clear Policy

By Lynette M. Fraga & Renee Boynton-Jarrett

As politicians and pundits rightfully praise essential workers during this pandemic, rarely does anyone mention another group of genuine heroes: those who care for the children of other essential workers. Could it be that because these workers are disproportionately women of color, their service is overlooked and undervalued? While women of color represent only 20% of the American population, they comprise 40% of the roughly 1.5 million child care workers in the United States.

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