The "powers that be" in America are hypocrites when it comes to "family values"; praising women who put their families first, but refusing to grant them the flexibility they need to take time off, and in some cases, firing them for staying home with a sick kid. That's how Ellen Bravo sees it. Bravo is director of Family Values at Work Consortium, a national group that advocates for paid sick days and family leave requirements. She's being honored by the Frances Perkins Center in Newcastle.

Bravo is the recipient of this year's Intelligence and Courage Award, which is derived from a speech given by Perkins in 1929 when she was New York State Industrial Commissioner, in which she pledged, "I promise to use what brains I have to meet problems with intelligence and courage."

Like Perkins, who served as Labor Secretary under FDR, Bravo is an outspoken advocate for the rights of workers, and for working women. And Bravo challenges the vision that she says is perpetuated by the "powers that be."

She spoke with MPBN's Keith Shortall.