The Honorable Donna F. Edwards
Women’s History Month and the Women’s Economic Agenda
March 26, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Women’s History Month and to recognize the important role that women play in our workforce, businesses, and homes.
In fact, 40 percent of working women are the primary breadwinners in their families, and it is just a fact that the success of our Nation relies on the economic security of women.
Unfortunately, outdated policies are constraining the ability of women to participate fully in our economy. Many face a lack of good-paying jobs, a high cost of education and child care. In fact, two-thirds of minimum wage workers are women, and the poverty rate for women is 14.5 percent – the highest in two decades. Women earn just 77 cents on the dollar. For African American women, it is only 64 cents on the dollar. For Latinas, it is a shocking 58 cents on the dollar.
That is why House Democrats have launched an economic agenda for women: When Women Succeed, America Succeeds. We have got to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, increase tipped wages which haven’t been raised in 23 years, have equal pay for equal work, paid sick days, and access to quality, affordable child care.
Women are playing an expanded role in our economy and in our country. It is time we recognize their contribution because, when women succeed, America succeeds.
