Empowering Civic Engagement—Election Day as a West Wind Holiday
At the heart of an equitable society is the power of choice—the right to vote and be heard. At West Wind, we believe that building a just world starts with empowering civic engagement. That’s why in 2024, we made Election Day a company holiday, ensuring every employee has the opportunity to vote, free from work-related barriers.
Designating Election Day as a paid day off from work reflects our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s about more than workplace policies; it’s about fostering a culture that uplifts communities. Many employees face obstacles to voting—work hours, lack of transportation, or childcare—especially those from marginalized groups. By giving employees the day off, we help dismantle these barriers and create space for all voices to participate in our democracy.
But civic engagement isn’t just about voting. Election Day can be a moment for reflection on the issues and leadership that shape our lives, communities, and workplace. It’s a time for meaningful conversations and collective action.
We encourage others to make Election Day a day off to remove barriers and reinforce a culture of civic engagement, contributing to a more inclusive, just society.
West Wind Education Policy is committed to disrupting historic and persistent inequities. We are deeply disturbed by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others, as well as the ongoing violence toward the bodies and spirit of people of color.
After a few busy months, University of Iowa Graduate Student Abigail (Abi) Lippert’s time at West Wind has drawn to a close. Abigail worked on a multitude of projects during her semester of practicum at West Wind, and we’re excited to see where she goes next.