Share this:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2012

Contact: CJ Frogozo
310.570.2622

**Statement from National Domestic Workers Alliance Director Ai-jen Poo**

Domestic Workers Applaud Octavia Spencer for Golden Globe Win, Acceptance Speech Shout-Out

The Help Actress Cites Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Importance of Domestic Workers

New York, NY—Last night, actress Octavia Spencer heralded the importance of domestic workers in America, both now and during the civil rights movement, in her acceptance speech for her Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for her role in The Help, shining light on the struggle of domestic workers that continues even today.

“Seriously ... nuts,” said Spencer, who received shouts of approval from the crowd. “With regard to domestics in this country, Dr. Martin Luther King said it best. All labor that uplifts dignity in this country is worthwhile.”

In response, National Domestic Workers Alliance co-founder and executive director Ai-jen Poo made the following statement:

“Domestic workers around the country watched with pride tonight. After generations of exclusion and invisibility, we are so grateful to Octavia for helping bring recognition and light to this workforce. And we're thankful for all of the performances in The Help that gave life and dignity to domestic workers stories. 

We have a dream that one day all work will be valued equally. Together we can be "the help" needed to bring respect to domestic work.” 

###

Co-founded in 2007 by award-winning social entrepreneur Ai-jen Poo (“The Nannies’ Norma Rae” –New York Times), the National Domestic Workers Alliance has 35 local, membership-based affiliate organizations of nannies, housekeepers and caregivers for the elderly located in 19 cities and 11 states around the country.

http://www.domesticworkers.org/