Newsletter: Women's History Month

Statement

Dear Neighbors,

This Women's History Month, we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions women have made throughout America's history. Despite the great progress that has been made, the fight for equal rights is far from over. There is still work to be done to ensure that all Americans have the same opportunities regardless of their gender.

While women are a visible, critical part of the American workforce now -- two out of three families now rely on the wages of working moms to help pay the bills -- many workplaces do not reflect this reality. In Illinois women earn nearly $11,000 a year less than their male counterparts. This not only hurts women, but Illinois families trying to make ends meet -- who must get by on $11,000 less.

It's also hard to believe that the U.S. is the only developed country in the world that doesn't require employers to offer paid sick days or paid maternity leave. As a new mom, I understand the importance of making sure that women aren't forced to give up their jobs or pay to care for a newborn child. Studies have shown that infant health is better and we save money on medical costs when parents are present in those early, critical months.

I was proud to introduce the MOM Act, which passed the House as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act last year. This legislation would extend maternity leave for women serving in the military from 6 weeks to 12 weeks, and aligns access to maternity leave for female Service Members with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guidelines available to federal employees. Extending maternity leave for these women is the least we can do for those who sacrifice so much for our country. Unfortunately, it did not pass the Senate but I will keep reintroducing it until we do right by our military women.

Lastly, we need to stand up for women's reproductive rights. Thousands of American women still have great difficulty finding access to quality healthcare and reproductive care. I know that I could not have seized the opportunities this great nation provided had I not had control of my own reproductive health.

Our nation will never be able to achieve what it is truly capable of until women have full equality. It's time for all of us to follow in the footsteps of those women who sacrificed so much for our country and to do whatever is in our power to make sure that our daughters have every opportunity they deserve.

Sincerely,

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