When women have the power to make decisions and have control over their lives, they can plan their economic futures, which benefits society at large. Economic equality for women helps economies grow, benefits children and even increases organizational effectiveness. But in the United States, the average woman only makes about 80 cents for every dollar that the average man makes. And the pay disparity is even worse for women of color. This is in spite of the fact that the Equal Pay Act, which requires men and women be given equal pay for equal work in the same establishment, was passed over 50 years ago.
Women make up nearly half of the nation's work force, but are often discriminated based on their gender and penalized for having children. Women earn less than men, and moms earn even less than dads and women without children. This needs to change, and I know how to change it. It’s time for us to do better. We must strengthen the laws relating to equal pay and protection from discrimination. And we must not only enforce these laws to their full extent, but we must also give women the tools they need to succeed on an equal playing field in the work force.
According to the National Women’s Law Center, “[p]ay discrimination persists in part because of outdated stereotypes that continue to infect workplace decision making, such as the idea that families do not rely on women’s income and that women do not need higher pay, which stand in contrast to the economic reality for women and their families.” As a mother of six daughters and a working parent, I know these stereotypes aren’t true. Many women are the primary breadwinners in their families. There are families where both parents need to work due to the nature of the economy with inflation rising faster than wages. And there are single moms and women without children, all of whom deserve to be paid fairly.
I firmly believe women should be given every opportunity to be successful in life however that looks like to each woman. This includes succeeding in the workplace if a woman chooses to work outside the home, having the ability to choose whether or not to start a family, earning a fair and equal wage when working, living free from violence, and having access to adequate healthcare.
So, what does empowering every woman to live life on her own individual terms actually look like? It looks like supporting:
- Family choice, a woman’s right to choose and full rights to reproductive freedom, including access to affordable contraception
- Paid family leave and job protection
- Protecting women from workplace discrimination – regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation
- Strengthening equal pay for equal work laws
- Educational and employment opportunities for women, especially in the STEM fields
- Federal funding for programs that support women’s health
And I support each of these things.
I care about making sure that women have the same opportunities as men to pursue the American Dream. By making sure women have equal economic opportunities, we solve many of the problems faced by women.
Empowering women economically, socially and politically improves the lives of all Americans, including the women. This win-win is the type of vision I will take to Congress.
Vangie Williams
Candidate for Congress
----
Vangie Williams is a public servant and strategic planner who solves problems for our federal government. A real-world professional with 30 years of experience, Vangie is not a career politician who will put corporate interests above people. She is committed to an economy for everyone, healthy families and investing in our communities. Learn more about her vision to put people first at www.vangieforcongress.com.
Donate to Vangie’s historic campaign.
Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.