Keʻōpū Reelitz is a working mother of three and family advocate. Her participation in Family Values at Work's Caring Out Loud event in Washington, D.C. in September 2024 was sponsored by Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network. Check out the recording of Keʻōpū's story here.

Keʻōpū was working two jobs when her first child was born. Without paid family leave, she had no choice but to return to work as soon as possible. “It was like taking these invisible weights and putting them on my shoulder, day in and day out,” explained Reelitz. Now she advocates for every family to have access to paid leave to care for their children. “I have been fighting for families, fighting for policies and investments that aren't just going to give them more things but are instead going to be taking that load off, taking the weight off of their shoulders.”

Read the full column: Advocate for equitable and effective child care resources -- Honolulu Star-Advertiser