Political Quotes

“I rise in celebration of Women's History Month and in tribute to the many women who, through the ages, dared to challenge injustice and discrimination in the workplace. It is the tireless work of those leaders who came before us that allow women to enjoy the benefits of the nineties. However, as we all know, those long distance runners for equality and social justice have not completed their course. During Women's History Month, we pause to reflect what we have accomplished in the past, and the work we must do for the future. Women have made great strides in education and in the workforce. The majority of undergraduate and master's degrees are awarded to women, and 40 percent of all doctorates are earned by women. More than 7.7 million businesses in the United States are owned and operated by women. These businesses employ 15.5 million people, about 35 percent more than the Fortune 500 companies worldwide. And women are running for elected offices in record numbers. When I first came to the House in 1987, there were 26 women in the House and 2 in the Senate. In 1997, there are 53 women serving in the House, and 9 in the Senate. While many doors to employment and educational opportunity have opened for women, they still get paid less than men for the same work. Full-time, year-round working women earned only 72 cents for each dollar a man earned in 1994. College-educated women earned $11,000 less per year than college-educated men.”