US EditionChildcare in the Capitol: As more women run for office, some are bringing their kids
- Florida state representative Fiona McFarland did not miss her 7-month-old daughter's first milestone thanks to on-site childcare inside the state Capitol in Tallahassee.
- This childcare provision responds to a growing number of women and young people running for public office who face barriers balancing parenthood and politics.
- The Capitol offers two childcare spaces exclusively for legislators' children with varying hours, while at least two-thirds of states allow campaign funds for childcare expenses.
- As of 2025, 33% of state legislators are women but fewer than 8% are moms of minor children, highlighting a gap advocates say reflects failing family policies nationwide.
- Advocates including Vote Mama's founder Liuba Grechen Shirley consider Florida's childcare a first step toward more inclusive legislatures, urging more supportive policies for young families.
116 Articles
116 Articles
Colorado Springs Gazette
Washington ExaminerBritt and Moody on motherhood and the Senate: ‘Sense of urgency that moms bring’
Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Ashley Moody (R-FL) reflected on how their roles as mothers influence their approach to serving in Washington, D.C. “People get frustrated with Congress, rightfully, because we move at a snail’s pace in solving real issues…
As more women run for office, some are bringing their kids
When Florida state Rep. Fiona McFarland’s infant daughter, Grace Melton, crawled for the first time, the mom of four was right next door, hard at work with her legislative policy staff in the state Capitol. Thanks to the on-site child care available in the statehouse, McFarland didn’t miss that magical first milestone in her 7-month-old’s young life. “The sitter I had with her just grabbed me out of my meeting right next door and I came over and…
Child Care in the Capitol: as More Women Run for Office, Some Are Bringing Their Kids
When Florida state Rep. Fiona McFarland’s infant daughter, Grace Melton, crawled for the first time, the mom of four was right next door, hard at work with her legislative policy staff in the state Capitol. Thanks to the on-site child care available in the statehouse, McFarland didn’t miss that magical first milestone in her 7-month-old’s young life. “The sitter I had with her just grabbed me out of my meeting right next door and I came over and…
Child care in the Capitol: As more women run for office, some are bringing their kids - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — When Florida state Rep. Fiona McFarland’s infant daughter, Grace Melton, crawled for the first time, the mom of four was right next door, hard at work with her legislative policy staff in the state Capitol. Thanks to the on-site child care available in the statehouse, McFarland didn’t miss that magical first milestone in her 7-month-old’s young life. “The sitter I had with her just grabbed me out of my meeting right next…
Idaho Press
Child care in the Capitol: As more women run for office, some are bringing their kids
As more women and young people run for public office, they’re bringing more than fresh policy ideas to statehouses. And some are bringing their children. Like working parents across the country, some lawmakers are scrambling to find child care that…
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