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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
CLINTON - Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) today met with over 100 women from throughout the 5th Congressional District (Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's and parts of Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties) to recognize Women's Equality Day, observed August 26th. Hoyer spoke with these small business owners and community leaders about the valuable role they play in our local economy. Rep. Hoyer also invited Jessica Doyle, Business Editor of Washingtonpost.com, to speak at the luncheon who discussed the steps women should take in order to be successful leaders within their community. Following are Congressman Hoyer's remarks as prepared for delivery.
"Thank you for joining me again this year to recognize the tremendous talent and capability women have brought to the workforce. Tomorrow we observe Women's Equality Day and we celebrate the visionary women - and men - of extraordinary courage and conviction who fought to change the course of history.
"The observance of Women's Equality Day on August 26th not only commemorates the passage of the 19th amendment - which as you know belatedly endowed women with the right to vote - but also empowered women to demand better jobs and better pay and to get equal pay for equal work.
"Today, women are employed as professionals in fields that 30 years ago were not even an option and hold positions of authority and responsibility at almost every level of government.
"Not only are women entering the workforce at a faster pace - women strive every day to dispel stereotypes and surpass expectations.
"The Center for Women's Business Research reports that this year there are an estimated 197,631 privately-held women-owned firms in Maryland, accounting for 47.4% of all privately-held firms in the state.
"These women-owned firms generate more than $35 billion in sales and employ 313,122 people in our state. Between 1997 and 2004, the center estimates that the number of privately-held, women-owned firms in Maryland increased by 14.4%, employment grew by 24.1%, and sales increased by 31.6%.
"Nationally, the 9.1 million women-owned businesses in this country employ 27.5 million people and generate $1.15 trillion dollars in sales.
"However - this success has not come without great challenges: in 2002, women only earned 74 cents to the dollar earned by men. With a record 64 million women in the workforce, that kind of pay discrimination affects the majority of American families.
"Working women in Maryland are farther along the road to equal pay than women in many states; in 2000, Maryland's working women earned 83.5 percent as much per hour as men. And, Maryland ranked fourth among all states in equal pay. But, collectively, women lose over $100 billion annually in wages due to pay inequity.
"Equal pay is not a women's issue. An enormous loss like that hurts fathers, husbands, and families who are depending on that income. That's money that is not invested in the economy, that's not available for groceries, bills, or health insurance. That's money which women and their families don't have to depend on for a safe, secure retirement.
"We know that time alone will not solve the problem of unequal pay for women. At the current rate of change, working women in Maryland won't have equal pay until 2024. Nationwide, women won't achieve equal pay until after 2050.
"It requires action: on the part of business owners and executives to advance corporate compensation practices with regular pay reviews and equal benefits, as well as active recruitment of women.
"It requires action from policymakers like myself: to strengthen equal pay laws; improve enforcement; and continue to strengthen and revitalize small business loan programs that provide assistance to women-owned business to help women access the capital they need to start a business, and increase the access of women-owned businesses to federal contracts.
"And it requires attention and action from women like you, who refused to let obstacles or ignorance impede your success.
"Thank you again for joining me this year to continue our partnership to keep the doors of economic opportunity wide open for women, and women-owned businesses. I am particularly proud of all of you here today who represent the wide variety of women-owned businesses flourishing in the 5th Congressional District and the diverse roles women play in our local workforce.
"Your contributions are vital to the strength and vibrancy of our community and our country."
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