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Today, Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) joined millions of Americans in marking the annual celebration of March as Women’s History Month – a commemoration that has occurred in America since 1987.

“Women’s History Month is about dignity and respect for our mothers, daughters, and sisters,” said Tonko.“One way to show that respect is for the United States Congress to immediately pass legislation that raises the minimum wage, ensures equal pay for equal work, provides sick leave for parents, and extends emergency unemployment insurance. If we are serious about economic growth, we cannot hamstring more than half of our workforce, made up of women. It is time for the House majority to join us in taking these simple steps, because when women succeed, America succeeds.”

Several statistics illustrate the challenges women face in the workplace:

·        On average, women still make only 77 cents for every dollar made by men.  This gap is wider for African American and Hispanic women.

In New York’s 20^th Congressional District, the gap narrows slightly to 82 cents.

·        Nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers are women.

·        The poverty rate – 14.5 percent for women – remains the highest in two decades.

·        Family and medical leave protections fail to cover nearly half of full-time employees.

·        Women-owned businesses continue to lag behind men-owned businesses.  The average revenue of women-owned businesses is only 27% of the average revenue of men-owned businesses.

In response to these challenges, in July 2013, House Democrats unveiled When Women Succeed, America Succeeds:  An Economic Agenda for Women and Families.

This agenda addresses the need to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work.  It helps ensure work and family balance by allowing working parents to support their families and care for their children.  And it recognizes that expanding educational opportunities, increased job training, and investments in women entrepreneurs are essential for women’s success in our economy and our economy’s success at staying competitive globally and creating jobs.

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