This Mother’s Day, YW Boston and Listen to Your Mothers are asking business and community leaders across Greater Boston to confront a truth we can no longer afford to soften.
Supporting mothers is an economic necessity, a public health imperative, and a collective responsibility. It is not a “family issue” or a “woman’s problem”.
Across our region, mothers—especially BIPOC and gender expansive parents of color—are navigating systems that ask them to do more with less at every turn. They are expected to sustain families, participate fully in the workforce, and safeguard their own health and wellbeing, often without structural support. 1
The consequences are clear: persistent maternal health disparities, 2 workforce attrition, burnout, 3 and the quiet but steady loss of talent, leadership, and stability in our communities. 4
And here in Greater Boston, the contradiction is impossible to ignore.
We are home to world-renowned hospitals and healthcare institutions.
We are a global leader in education, research, and innovation.
We pride ourselves on being progressive, equitable, and forward-thinking.
We call ourselves, “the best state for working mothers”. (*2025) 5
And yet—companies are doubling down on return to office policies, childcare costs are some of the highest in the country, and mothers in our region are still falling through the cracks.
Earlier this month, leaders across sectors gathered for two YW Boston events aimed at addressing the structural barriers to maternal health and wellness: Our Transformative Power: Supporting Mothers, Strengthening Workplaces and a roundtable with Senator Liz Miranda. What emerged was clear:
the solutions exist. What is missing is collective action.
Join us in collective action by pledging to build a workplace where mothers can thrive—not just get by.
That includes action from our hospitals and healthcare systems.
From our universities and research institutions.
From our nonprofit sector and advocacy organizations.
From our corporations, from biotech to finance to tech.
No sector is exempt. No mission statement replaces action.
If you are an employer, institutional leader, or decision-maker in Greater Boston, this letter is for you.
If you have joined us at our recent events, this is your next step: deepen your commitment and help bring others with you.
If you are new to this conversation, this is your entry point: take action within your own organization and be part of a growing regional effort.
While it can be tempting to look at the economic challenges our country is facing, and the risks to companies for speaking up and out for inclusive practices as a reason to back down from past efforts, we are urging Greater Boston’s employers, institutions, and leaders to take it as an opportunity to be even bolder, think differently and recognize that what is good for the mothers of this city, is also what is good for business.
At a time when employers are navigating economic uncertainty, this is not the moment to scale back support. It is the moment to be more intentional.
Mothers are essential to our workforce and our economy. 6 They are leaders across healthcare, education, nonprofit, and service sectors that Greater Boston depends on every day. 7 Losing them is not just a workforce issue—it is a system failure. 8
In a competitive labor market, employers cannot afford to lose experienced, high-performing talent. And in a region where the cost of living continues to rise, families cannot afford workplaces that fail to meet the realities of caregiving. 9
What supports mothers is not separate from what strengthens business—it is foundational to it. By pledging, you commit to:
- Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all caregivers
Such as asking for employee feedback and implementing policies that reflect empathy for all employees. - Prioritizing maternal health and wellbeing
Ensuring access to comprehensive, culturally competent healthcare and employee benefits that support mothers before, during, and after pregnancy. - Designing workplaces that reflect real lives
Advancing flexible work, paid leave, and caregiving support that acknowledge the full scope of mothers’ responsibilities. - Closing equity gaps
Addressing the disproportionate challenges faced by mothers of color through intentional policy, data tracking, and accountability. - Protecting economic mobility
Investing in fair wages, career pathways, and re-entry opportunities so that motherhood does not come at the cost of long-term financial stability. - Building cultures of belonging and respect
Training leaders and managers to actively support—not penalize—caregiving employees.
Greater Boston cannot claim to lead innovation while lagging in how we support the people who help make that innovation possible.
We are asking organizations to stand behind this commitment with transparency and action. In the coming months, we will work alongside partners to share resources, track progress, and elevate models that are making a measurable difference.
When mothers are supported, families are stronger. When families are stronger, our communities and our economy thrive.
This Mother’s Day, let’s move beyond flowers and brunch and towards responsibility and action.
Sign on and help move our region toward workplaces that work—for mothers, for families, and for all of us.