Kim Kelly Exposes the Hidden Reality of Child Labor!

In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe chats with Kim Kelly about the ongoing fight against child labor, the vital role unions play in protecting families, and why labor rights are children’s rights. Kelly is a journalist, organizer, and author whose work highlights the often-overlooked struggles of young workers. Together, Abebe and Kelly explore how historical and modern labor movements have shaped protections for kids, the dangers that remain in workplaces across the country, and how families and communities can advocate for safer, fairer futures. This conversation emphasizes the importance of awareness, solidarity, and action to ensure every child can grow up free from exploitation. To learn more about Kim Kelly and her work, you can check out her book Fight to Win, and follow her on Instagram, and Twitter. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: Testifying for Children Before a House Committee That, Far Too Often, Ignores Them Against the Public Will: How Policymakers Are Failing Our Nation’s Children The Unprecedented War on Children To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ LinkedIn⁠, and⁠ Twitter⁠. Send us comments on thoughts via email: [e-mail] Find us on Twitter/X: ⁠@SpeakingOfKids⁠ and⁠ @First_Focus⁠ Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children ⁠here⁠. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children ⁠here⁠.