After Gov. Kay Ivey officially signed it into law earlier this week, paid maternity leave is now a reality for state employees and educators in Alabama.

The fact it’s 2025 and this is just now becoming a thing is bewildering to start with. However, we’ll call it a win for all Alabamians. Although it only affects state employees and educators, I do hope more smaller companies across the state will follow suit.

Lizi Arbogast Gwin is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers.