There are several words I would use to describe Maria Shriver’s impressive report, “A Woman’s Nation Changes Everything” — compelling, surprising, and maybe even revolutionary. No matter how you describe it, the report has helped re-focus us all on a topic that should be of the highest importance: Women’s workplace equality.
As the report tells us, we’ve reached a transformative moment in American history. Women now make up half of all workers in this country, and mothers are now the breadwinners or co-breadwinners in nearly two-thirds of American families.
But what needs to change to make work, well, work for women and their families? How must workplace policy and basic labor standards evolve to meet this new normal?
Pay Equity — Women still earn only about 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. For African-American women and Latinas, the gap is even wider. The Paycheck Fairness Act (http://9to5org.blogspot.com/) would strengthen the protections available under the Equal Pay Act of 1963. The act has passed the House and the Senate is now beginning to take action on it. In a woman’s nation, families must be economically viable, so Congress must pass it now and send it to the President’s desk for signature.
Paid Sick Days — There might be more women in the workforce, but women are still the ones responsible for most family care-giving, too — and both these responsibilities must be valued. In a nation without paid sick days as a basic labor standard, it’s next to impossible. We must pass the Healthy Families Act, (http://www.9to5.org/local/activist-network/ourwork/news/why-we-should-all-support-the-healthy-families-act-of-2009) federal legislation that will not only ensure a healthy and productive workforce but will help women both care for and support their families.
A Strong Safety Net – As of 2008 more than half of the 37 million Americans living in poverty were women. The costs of supporting a family are rising, putting too many families at risk. Policymakers should ensure that women, especially working mothers, have access to good jobs with equitable salaries and good benefits, a fair chance to support their families.
As Shriver herself says, we have power in our voices and in our numbers. Now is the time to speak out. Contact your members of Congress. Write a letter to the editor. Support organizations that support women and their families. By acting together, we can determine the outcome of elections and forge new public and workplace policies.
A woman’s nation demands no less.
Meric is Executive Director of 9to5, National Association of Working Women
Visit us at www.9to5.org.
Posted with permission from 9to5 for the Fem2.0 Wake Up! This is the Reality blog carnival. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
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