The Newsletter of the Deeds Not Words Community

Hello #ChangeMakers!

Let's see a raise of hands of those of you who have worked or are working in an industry where your primary source of income is based on how much you are tipped for your service? ✋ I would imagine that a majority of you have your hand in the air right now. So many of us, particularly if we are women, rely on the work of waiting tables to earn an income at one time or another in our lives. Sometimes, for our entire working lives.

When I was working as a single mom and struggling (literally) to keep the lights turned on in my apartment, I supplemented the income from my full-time "day job" by waiting tables three to four nights a week. I remember how important the size of that tip could be and that it literally could make the difference in whether I'd have enough gas in my car to get through the week or not. I also remember that, given the importance of that tip, I put up with a lot from customers that no person should have to put up with as part of their job. I recall a particular incident in which a man, sitting across the table from his wife, ran his hand up my bare leg and under my skirt as I stood beside him to take his order. I also remember how powerless I felt to respond as I otherwise would. This person would be largely responsible for making the decision regarding my wages for the evening, and I subjugated my feelings of anger and shame so that I could maximize that wage.

If you have relied on tips to help you pay the bills, you know how challenging that world can be. Not only is there no requirement in this country that tipped wage workers be paid the minimum wage by their employers, it isn't at all uncommon for tipped wage workers to be paid dramatically below the already suppressed minimum wage.  

And, sadly, my experience with sexual harassment isn't unique in the tipped wage world, where women and men who may be subject to these kind of experiences with customers find themselves at such a power differential that they tend to let it go unaddressed, as I once did.

Well there's a #ChangeMaker who's addressing all of that — a powerful, outspoken dynamo named Saru Jayaraman, who co-founded the Restaurant Opportunity Center (ROC) to address wage and other issues that directly impact the tipped wage worker. Because of her and the amazing work of ROC and its members, California recently implemented a requirement that tipped workers be paid the minimum wage in addition to whatever they may be tipped. They've also been successful in making similar strides in cities across the country, including a recent significant win in New York City.

Feminism comes in many forms, #ChangeMakers. Some apparent, some not so much. Because the vast majority of tipped wage workers in this country are women, we salute Saru and her work as the embodiment of what it means to fight for feminist values.

I hope you are as inspired by what you read about her work below in the Digest that you will head straight to the "DO" section to see how you can help.

You are amazingly powerful, #ChangeMakers. Its as simple as that.

Much love,

-wendy