“The Forgotten Origins of Paid Family Leave”

“In 1919, activists from around the world pressed governments to adopt policies to help working mothers.

Working mothers have never had it easy — but a century ago this weekend, they won a landmark victory. On Nov. 29, 1919, the nascent International Labor Organization adopted the Maternity Protection Convention of 1919, calling for 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, free medical care during and after pregnancy, job guarantees upon return to work and periodic breaks to nurse infant children.”

Mona L. Siegel, The New York Times, 29 November 2019