Waitresses are terribly under appreciated — not only are they bombarded with demanding customers, required to work odd and varied hours, and stink like cooking after their shifts, they also rely on tips to make a living wage, as they are paid next to nothing hourly.
That’s why watching this endearing waitress have the best shift of her life is so satisfying. Be prepared to smile and maybe shed a few happy-tears:
The Chelsea in the video is Chelsea Roff, founder of Eat, Breath, Thrive. As mentioned in the video, Eat, Breath, Thrive uses the healing power of yoga to combat unhealthy body image and promote self-love. If you think the organization is as awesome as we do, consider donating to their cause!
Chelsea is a remarkable human, and there is no question she deserves the many gifts she received, especially considering her past struggles and remarkable efforts to help others –but it is important to recognize that she is not that unique in her circumstances.
The federal minimum hourly tipping wage is only $2.13, which as you know, could barely buy a latte, let alone support a person’s needs. That could explain why tipped workers are alarmingly more likely than all other workers to live in poverty. Waiters and waitresses actually take the cake:
Let’s face it – when we are talking about minimum wage, we are talking about women; about two-thirds of national minimum wage earners are women. Here are some facts from The National Women’s Law Center that perfectly illustrate how minimum tipping wage is absolutely a women’s issue:
Not to rain on your parade or anything, but it is worth recognizing that not all waitresses will be given an opportunity like Roff was given. I am not in any way shutting this video down, but acts of charity like the one featured here support a trickle-down philosophy of philanthropy, which depends on the kind hearts of those with fat wallets. In case you haven’t caught on, that’s not exactly working out for us and the odds remain especially stacked against working women.
If you are riled up about minimum wage, visit The National Women’s Law Center and learn about their efforts to support and pass legislation to raise minimum wage, and their other current actions around issues concerning women’s employment.
It’s great to see and smile at these good deeds, but it is also important to not get wooed into believing there is enough good in the world for every deserving person to get their break. That’s what legislation is for!
