[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 43 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND POVERTY

  (Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate Women's History Month, 
but also highlight the harmful impact of poverty on women all over our 
Nation.
  This month we celebrate Women's History Month and reflect on the 
generations of American women and their many contributions that have 
brought us to this place in our history.
  For example, as Women's History Month was being created back in the 
1970s, the Honorable, the late Shirley Chisholm, my mentor and friend, 
she was making history. She became the first African American woman to 
serve in Congress, and the first woman and African American to run for 
President of the United States.
  Throughout her career, she broke many glass ceilings, while remaining 
unbought and unbossed.
  Today we see women challenging the status quo everywhere, from sports 
and politics, to STEM fields and corporate boardrooms. In fact, I am 
proud to serve in this Congress that has 104 women, the most in 
history, with our very first Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.
  But too many women are still fighting to break down barriers and lift 
themselves and their families out of poverty. It is truly a disgrace 
that in 2016, despite making up 50 percent of the workforce, women 
still earn 77 cents, on average, for every $1 a man makes.
  Even worse, African American women earn 64 cents and Latina women 
earn 55 cents for every $1 a man makes.

                          ____________________