Women's History Month and Minimum Wage

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, Women's History Month is a time for us to reflect on what women have done for America and what America can do for its women.

If we really look at the history of women in this country, we see that they have done far more than we give them credit for. I am not just talking about extraordinary figures like Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks. I am talking about the countless women who have worked day in and day out since this country was founded.

The idea that women are new to working is a myth. The truth is women have always worked to better their families and their communities, but too often the work that they do is undervalued.

Almost two-thirds of minimum wage workers are women, and although more families than ever rely on female breadwinners, women's wages still lag behind men's. For these women it isn't about having it all; it's about having enough to get by.

This Women's History Month, let's give women and their families the raise they deserve. Let's show all Americans that their work is worth a living wage. After all, when women succeed, America succeeds.

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