REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ STATEMENT ON WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), the highest ranking woman on the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement recognizing Women’s Equality Day, on the 96th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which guaranteed America’s women the right to vote:

“On Women’s Equality Day, we reflect on the enormous courage, vision and sacrifice of generations of women who came before and blazed a path for generations of women to come.”

“We’ve witnessed some historic strides for women’s equality in America over the last year. The military will no longer exclude qualified women from combat service because of their gender, freeing up the ladder of opportunity for more female leadership in the military.”

“Yet, women are still unfairly punished in our economy because of their gender. Even 96 years after American women gained the right to vote, women on average only make 79 cents for every dollar earned by men. And for minority women, this income inequality is even worse: Latinas earn just 54 cents on the dollar and African-American women earn only 63 cents on the dollar.”

“I’ll continue supporting women in the workplace, in education, and in the military. Women need equal pay for equal work, a living wage, paid sick days, paid family leave, access to affordable and high-quality childcare and early childhood education, and retirement security.”

Congresswoman Sanchez is the founder and chair of the Women in the Military Caucus. In 2014, Rep. Sanchez introduced the She is Ready Act to remove artificial barriers for women to enter combat positions, increase transparency during implementation and ensure women are given the gear they need to be successful and safe. Rep. Sanchez is also a co-sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, requiring employers to submit pay data by race, sex, and national origin to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

###

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 46th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and parts of the cities of Garden Grove and Orange in Orange County. She serves as a senior member on the Committee on Homeland Security and the House Armed Services Committee, and as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.