Congresswoman Lois Frankel marked the annual celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.

“On International Women's Day, and throughout Women’s History Month, we celebrate the extraordinary achievements women have made worldwide, honor those who helped shape our history, and look back the centuries of progress,” said Congresswoman Frankel

American women and girls have gained greater opportunities and more representation than ever before.

Last year, Congress saw a record increase in the number of women legislators: 101 across both chambers, counting three nonvoting members.

Together, Congress has made strides to ensure that our nation’s programs and policies reflect the needs and concerns of women and girls:

• To expand efforts to prevent sexual assault and strengthen protections for victims, President Obama signed The National Defense Authorization Act into law last year – which includes Frankel’s provision that directs the military to examine the need for a new definition of rape and sexual assault in cases when someone abuses their position in the Military Chain of Command.  
• The 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) ushered in advanced protections for immigrant, LGBT, and Native American women.
• Now under the Affordable Care Act, women will no longer be charged more for health insurance just because they are women, and they are guaranteed to have coverage for things like maternity care, screenings like mammograms, and contraception services.

Despite these gains, there’s still more work to do. On average women still make only 77 cents for every dollar made by men.  More than 60 percent of minimum-wage workers are women. Women-owned businesses continue to lag behind men-owned businesses.  The average revenue of women-owned businesses is only 27% of the average revenue of men-owned businesses.

In response to these challenges, in July 2013, House Democrats unveiled When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families. 

This agenda will enable women to achieve greater economic security for their families.  This includes passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, increasing the minimum wage, and promoting affordable child care. The agenda also recognizes that expanding educational opportunities, increased job training, and investments in women entrepreneurs are essential for women’s success in our economy.

“The fight for equal rights and opportunity is not over,” said Congresswoman Frankel.  “That is why I will continue supporting the When Women Succeed, America Succeeds agenda and work to build a future in which our daughters and sons have equal opportunities to thrive.” 

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