Ed. Note: Sen. Barack Obama spent over an hour Monday afternoon at Burdick's chocolate factory on Main Street, Walpole. We covered the appearance for the Eagle Times, and here is the story that appeared in the paper this morning. Photos follow the story. CCB

11-12-07

Obama Discusses Walpole Working Women’s Concerns

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama traded observations and issues with eight working women Monday afternoon in a panel staged in the packing room of L.A. Burdick Chocolate in Walpole but not before devouring one of Burdick’s signature chocolate mice.

            In fact, Obama began the session by laughingly congratulating his staff for arranging an event in a chocolate factory.  But he quickly explained that Burdick’s had been chosen because of its being a  "great model of a small business that treats its employees well”

            The eight women on the panel, four Burdick employees and four chosen from elsewhere in Walpole and Keene, exchanged views with Sen. Obama on challenges of balancing parenthood with employment, child care with medical care costs.

            Sen. Obama, for his part, noted that he had been raised by a single mom with help from his grandparents.  “She was working at the same time as she was trying to complete her education and raising us.  Sometimes we were on food stamps.  Many times she was just trying to patch things together.  But she did have a lot of help.”

            While the event was open only to the press, the discussion was freewheeling as each woman on the panel noted her family situation and how she balanced it with employment challenges.

            Burdick employees Hope Grenier and Bobbie Welsh recounted how their Burdick supervisors had supported them through family changes and crises with time off and flexible hours when needed, and how the company had thereby gained their loyalty. 

            Lyedie Geer of Walpole, a graduate student at Antioch New England in Keene, while noting that the women on the panel felt quite fortunate in their employments, raised her concerns about working women that are not so fortunate.  “We need,” she said, “a system of day care for women and children who don’t have such understanding employers, available mothers-in-law, etc.”

            Sen. Obama agreed, noting that 40% of working women do not have paid sick leave and that protections of the Federal Medical Leave Act apply only to employers with 50 or more employees. His goal, he said, is to extend such coverage down to companies with 25 or more employees and to work with states to fund paid medical leave policies that work.

            When asked if such generous benefits and flexible work policies affect the bottom line, Burdick’s general manager Cathy Watson conceded, “It definitely affects the bottom line.  But the staff is so loyal that it’s well worth it.”  And owner Larry Burdick noted that “We want these things for ourselves as well.  Paula and I raised kids while we worked, and it wasn't always easy.”

            Obama joined in by noting that challenges of balancing work with family responsibilities is a personal one for him and his wife Michelle.  They agreed early on that one of the things that made it possible for him to mount a presidential campaign without having their daughters be neglected was that Michelle’s mother was available to assist with the children when one or both of their parents had to be away.

            What’s the outcome of such an informal, non-public political event?  Panel member Susan Calloway of Keene, an administrator in the Waldorf School and real estate agent, said, “I thought he was very genuine and listened very carefully to what everyone had to say.  But I thought he was terrific before today, and I think he’s even more terrific now”

            Amy Fletcher, a Burdick employee, said she enjoyed the conversation.  And she’s “still thinking” about how to cast her primary vote.

            Chocolate entrepreneur Larry Burdick said, “He’s got my vote based on the amount of chocolate he eats!”

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           Cori Hildreth, far right, pastry chef at Burdick's, discusses balancing work and family responsibilities with Sen. Obama.  Others in the photo, from right, are Laura Thomas of Keene, Sen. Obama, Hope Grenier, a Burdick's employee, and Lyedie Geer of Walpole. Sue Bingaman photo.

    Sen. Obama preparing to devour a Burdick's chocolate mouse!  Sue Bingaman photo.