Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Women’s History Month & Calls for Action on Pay Inequality

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement honoring Women’s History Month:

“Throughout our nation’s history, inspiring and visionary women have strengthened our democracy, worked to build our nation’s economy and fought for progressive values.

Each March, we pause to remember their contributions and seek inspiration to shatter the remaining glass ceilings.

As we reflect on their sacrifices and victories, we remind ourselves that when women succeed, America succeeds.

We must continue the fight for economic policies that empower women and their families including equal pay for equal work, affordable child care and paid family leave. 

Fighting for these policies is especially important to women of color who face greater pay gaps.

In 2012, Latina women only earned 53 cents for every dollar that a white man made.

Compared to every dollar that a white man made, Native American women only earned 60 cents; African American women earned 64 cents; and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders earned 66 cents. 

On average, an Asian American woman only earns 79 cents for every dollar that an Asian American man made.

Congress must do more to address these gross disparities that prevent women, especially women of color, from earning an equal paycheck.

It is 2015, it’s past time for pay equality to become a reality.”

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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.