by Hannah Gordon, Feminist Majority Foundation

It is critical that Congress acts before the end of this calendar year to renew federal UI. The loss of this lifeline will hurt over 6 million people and their families who stand to lose their benefits during 2012.

If Congress fails to extend the benefits, women will suffer. According to Dr. Adriana Kugler, chief economist for the Department of Labor, 2.2 million women will lose their benefits if UI is not extended. Many others will be affected too, including 500,000 Latinos and 400,000 Latinas, 1.2 million African Americans (including 500,000 African American women), and millions of children.

UI must be extended in order to protect American families. 1.8 million struggling families will be immediately kept afloat. This will have a positive impact on our overall economy too; studies show that every $1 spent on unemployment insurance stimulates $2 in growth in the U.S. economy.

Extending unemployment insurance must be a vital priority for Congress. For many American families and many American women, the protection of their benefits is crucial.

Join us by sharing the posts below on Facebook, Twitter (using the hashtag #HERvotes), and other social media.

Let’s spread the word and make sure Congress hears our voices.

The blog posts below include personal stories and more information on why unemployment insurance is critical. Happy reading and thanks for joining in the fight to protect women’s economic welfare.

#HERvotes, a multi-organization campaign launched in August 2011, advocates women using our voices and votes to stop the attacks on the women’s movement’s major advances, many of which are at risk in the next election. We are very excited HERvotes is growing in membership and reaching millions of people.

Part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

Congress Must Protect the Lifeline Women and Families Depend On– Vicki Shabo, National Partnership for Women and Families

A Day Of Thanks & Of Aspiration: No Child Should Be Hungry On Thanksgiving, Or On Any Day– Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Mom’sRising.org

No Time for Games: Extend Unemployment Insurance– Katie Kopania, Say It Sister- NOW’s Blog for Equality

The Cycle of Abuse and Financial Security– Lauren Levine, Jewish Women International

Looking for Jobs that Don’t Exist Is Hard Work – Anna McClure, National Women’s Law Center

Latinas call on Congress to Extend Unemployment Insurance Set to Expire on Dec 31– Natalie D. Camastra, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

Extend Unemployment Insurance!– Heather Munro Prescott, Knitting Clio

At the Edge-Emily Alfano, National Council of Jewish Women

Women and Families Need Unemployment Benefits Extended Now!- Carol Rosenblatt, Coalition of Labor Union Women

I may lose my home because I can’t find work– Juli from Wisconsin, unemployedworkers.org

I Want My Pay Equity-Emmily Bristol, Sin City Siren

Women and Unemployment– Dren

Women, Black Workers Hard Hit By Attacks on Public Employees– Tula Connell, AFL-CIO

Even in a Recession, Flex Makes (Dollars and) Sense– Nanette Fondas, MomsRising.org

Unemployment Insurance in the 1930s and Today– Michael J. Wilson

And Now, About Those Mega-Rich Alleged Job Creators…– Lily Eskelsen, National Education Association

Congress Should Act Now to Extend Unemployment Insurance– Beth Scott, American Association of University Women

The 99% and Our Homes– Nancy Wilberg-Ricks, National Council of La Raza

Small Steps Forward in Job Gains, But Not Enough to Close Gender Gap– Caroline Hopper, Institute for Women’s Policy Research

‘Squash Amash’ March Planned by Grand Rapids Group over Unemployment Benefits Debate– Garret Ellison, mlive.com

Unemployment and Taxes– Andrew Brusnahan, UnemployedWoman.com

Unemployed Blogger Finds Humor In Rich/Poor Divide– Claire Gordon, AOL.com

I Am ‘Occupying’ D.C. for My Children and Future Generations– Linda Evans

When My Husband Faced Unemployment– Karoline, Mom’s Rising

Unemployment Insurance is the LEAST We Can Offer Working Families- Elisanta “Lisa” Batista

Without Unemployment Insurance, My Family Would Have To Choose Which Bills to Pay Teresa “Tigger” Rey, Mom’s Rising

Good Education. Good experience. Still Unemployed– Theresa Witt

Holiday Fear– Christy Jones, AAUW

Unemployment, Congress, and People Like Me– Danielle Jackson, National Women’s Law Center

The Pathways Back to Work Act: A Must-Pass Piece of Legislation for Women– Julie Vogtman, National Women’s Law Center

Happy Holidays, Congress! It’s Time to Extend UI– Julie Vogtman, National Women’s Law Center

“No Christmas for Congress” Unless UI is Extended– Anna McClure, National Women’s Law Center

November’s Drop in Unemployment News Leaves Vulnerable Groups Behind- Abby Lane, National Women’s Law Center

Action Alert: Tell Congress to Extend Unemployment Insurance- YWCA USA

Navigating Unemployment– Jen, Mom’s Rising

Women, the Economy, and Unemployment Insurance– Angel Savoy, Metro DC Chapter, Coalition of Labor Union Women

Unemployment Insurance, Good For People, Good For Country– Sherry Saudners, Business and Professional Women’s Foundation

Women and the Unemployment Crisis– National Association of Social Workers

Surviving a Corporate War on the Middle Class– Verlene Jones, Seattle Washington, Coalition of Labor Union Women

Extend Unemployment Benefits, But Don’t Stop There- Lindsay Beyerstein, Ms. Magazine Blog

Tough Job Market for Recent College Grads– Corrina Beall, Feminist Majority Foundation

Women, Sexism, Racism & the Economy: Why Congress Needs to Reauthorize Unemployment Insurance- The Opinioness of the World

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