WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Susan W. Brooks (R-IN), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, issued the following video commemorating International Women’s Day:   

“All issues impact women.” To watch our video for #IWD2018, click here.

Transcript

BROOKS: Today is International Women’s Day. For over 100 years, the world has celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8, a day to honor the achievements of women worldwide. I along with my good friend Congresswoman Lois Frankel serve as co-chairs to the bipartisan Congressional Women’s Caucus. It is our pleasure to lead this caucus to advocate for women’s issues, because all issues impact women. Today, we serve in Congress with 111 women. We are as diverse as the places we represent, and yet, as I talk to my female colleagues, we all agree on one thing: While this is a record number of female Members of Congress, we still have a lot of work to do.

FRANKEL: Today, we celebrate women’s accomplishments and contributions to the world, while acknowledging they still face many obstacles, like access to health care and education, gender-based violence and discrimination. We recognize these courageous women who fight back. Like Malala, a teenager living in Pakistan under the Taliban, she courageously spoke out for her basic rights for education. At 15, she was shot in the head for her activism, but she survived and she persisted and dedicated her life to education and the empowerment of girls. On International Women’s Day, we honor advocates like Malala, and all the women and girls who inspire us with their strength, smarts, and perseverance in the face of adversity. We stand with women who seek new opportunities, demand change, and work together to achieve equality and economic success.

BROOKS: When we stand up for women and girls, we help empower them to raise their voices, grasp opportunities and reach new heights. Women are influential in multiple spheres: leaders in business, politics, and science at every level; as members of their communities; and as individuals with aspirations for themselves and their families. Globally, women endure discrimination and barriers to opportunity when aiming for education, employment, health, and safety. Today, we mark this celebration by acknowledging the power of women to drive positive change around the world and by speaking up on behalf of the women whose voices are not heard. The United States hears their voices and will fight for them.

FRANKEL: As Members of Congress who represent 164 million women and girls in the United States, we know that women are key to achieving and advancing peace and prosperity around the world. Let’s keep working towards greater inclusion, equal opportunities, and safety for women both here in the United States and globally. Because when women succeed, America succeeds, and so does the world. 

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