Pelosi Statement on Women's History Month

Statement

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in recognition of Women's History Month:

"During Women's History Month, Americans reflect on the generations of women whose courage, relentlessness and patriotism have helped write our nation's story. At every stage of our history, the ambitions and voices of women have weathered extraordinary adversity to fight for our rights and move America closer to realizing its greatest ideals. Today, Americans stand on the shoulders of trailblazing pioneers and everyday heroes alike, and we honor their legacy by reaffirming a simple truth: when women succeed, America succeeds.

"While Americans celebrate the progress of the past, we also recognize the inequities that continue to plague our society: from pay inequality and workplace discrimination to rising maternal deaths, particularly among Black and Hispanic women. Over the last two years, the pandemic has further laid bare the systemic injustices of our economy, costing millions of women their jobs and driving many out of the workforce entirely due to a lack of child care and family care. That is why House Democrats have taken historic steps toward securing a brighter future for our nation's daughters by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act to help eliminate the gender wage gap, the Women's Health Protection Act to enshrine reproductive health freedoms into federal law and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to ensure that nobody is forced to choose between a healthy pregnancy and a paycheck. With the American Rescue Plan, the Democratic Congress delivered direct relief, housing assistance and a strengthened Child Tax Credit to support women and families through unprecedented economic challenges. And with our House-passed Build Back Better Act, Democrats are fighting for historic investments in paid family and medical leave, child care, universal pre-K, maternal health and more.

"It is with great pride that, more than a century after women won the right to vote and Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to serve in Congress, the House now boasts more than 120 women Members, including a record number wielding committee gavels. Today, and every day, let us renew our pledge to build on the victories of past generations and strive to unleash the full potential of women in our government, society and economy. House Democrats will not rest until we fully achieve gender equality and justice, building an America in which every woman and girl can reach for their dreams."

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