Pelosi Commemorates Women's History Month
Pelosi Commemorates Women's History Month
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Washington, D.C.-House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi entered the following statement into the Congressional Record tonight during a Special Order celebrating Women's History Month. Below are her remarks:
"In March, we celebrated Women's History Month. We remembered those who have contributed to our progress, we recognized those who are changing our communities today, and we rededicated ourselves to improving the lives of women.
"Women want what men want: an equal opportunity to succeed, a safe and prosperous America, good paying jobs, better access to health care, and the best possible education for our children. Women want a secure retirement, the freedom to make the most of our lives and to make our own choices, and the chance to shape the future of our Nation.
"Yet in terms of policies to assist women, we are lagging behind. Half of those currently living in poverty are single mothers. More than 3.8 million women are looking for work. Women are still paid only 80 cents to a man's dollar. And the Republican controlled Congress and the Bush administration continue to wage an assault on our reproductive rights, believing they can make better choices than women and their doctors.
"To open doors of opportunity for women, I am proud to support policies in Congress that promote equality such as the FAIRNESS Act, which protects workers from discrimination on the basis of race, age, disability, or gender. I have long been a strong supporter of legislation to demand equal pay for equal work. My colleagues and I support legislation to increase the minimum wage to help single mothers and working poor women provide adequately for themselves and their families.
"In every field, we must and will be equal partners in determining the future. Women represent more than half the population and are among the most knowledgeable and important thinkers in every field of policy, from science to education to health care to national security.
"Women in government have made great gains but still face continued challenges. When I was first elected to Congress in 1987, there were only 16 women in the entire House of Representatives and only two in the Senate. Today, there are 62 women in the House and 13 in the Senate.
"However, of the nearly 12,000 Members who have served in Congress throughout history, only 209--less than 2 percent-have been women. From 1916, when Jeanette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to Congress, until I was elected Democratic Whip in 2001, no woman had ever served in the top Congressional leadership.
"In March, it was my privilege as House Democratic Leader to honor three magnificent women: journalist Mary McGrory, the late Congresswoman Mary T. Norton and civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy Height.
"On March 2, I hosted a reception for Mary McGrory, the pioneering reporter for the Washington Star and Washington Post who has delighted so many readers and inspired so many women. For more than 50 years, she has walked the halls of Congress, interviewing Members, covering Congressional proceedings, and providing a voice for progressive issues. First, as a reporter for the Washington Star and then with the Washington Post, she earned a reputation for her brilliant reporting and her ability to get to the heart of any debate. She also earned a Pulitzer Prize-the first to a woman for commentary-for her coverage of Watergate.
"On March 18, several women Members gathered in my office to unveil a portrait of the late Congresswoman Mary Norton of New Jersey, who in 1924 became the first Democratic woman elected to the House. She was the first person in modern times to chair three major committees. A solid supporter of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal, her finest hour may have been passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, while Chair of the House Labor Committee. She was instrumental in raising the minimum wage from 40 cents to 75 cents per hour.
"In a marvelous ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capitol on March 24, Dr. Dorothy Height received the Congressional Gold Medal, the most distinguished award bestowed by the U.S. Congress. The struggle for equality in America in the 20th century-for civil rights, for women's rights, for voting rights, for human rights-is the story of Dr. Height's life. At age 92, she remains a beacon to her own generation and generations to follow. Countless young people have been inspired by her idealism, strengthened by her courage, and guided by her faith. She has empowered these young people to make a difference by her own passion for justice.
"It is a great honor to be the first woman to lead a party in the House of Representatives. When I was first elected to that position, we made history. Now we are making progress. As we celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and work toward progress of our own, we are inspired by the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: 'It's up to the women!'"