[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2017

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I rise today in observance of Women's History Month and its 2017 
theme: Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business. Each year, 
the National Women's History Project selects a unifying theme to 
recognize and promote Women's History Month. This year's theme features 
the stories of women from diverse backgrounds and different fields who 
have challenged and changed the paid labor force to secure equal rights 
and equal opportunities for women in the workplace.
   Despite facing barriers in the workplace, women have always worked 
and, at times in America's history, have provided the majority of the 
volunteer labor force. Women of every race, class, and ethnic 
background are woven into the history of our nation's labor force and 
continue to significantly impact social and legal structure in the 
workplace.
   Longstanding constraints, including religious and educational 
conventions, often meant women experienced limited opportunities, low 
wages, and poor working conditions while performing low-skill, short-
term labor positions in the American workforce. Strong role models such 
as Kate Mullany and Lucy Gonzalez-Parsons were pioneers in the 
organized labor field in the late 19th century through the turn of 20th 
century. These women forged the way for other women in all professions, 
trades, and the arts and sciences to organize for better working 
conditions and fair wages. Because of these courageous trailblazers, 
women today, such as Yvonne Walker, the first African-American woman to 
serve as President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), 
and Lily Ledbetter, whose landmark Supreme Court case of employee 
discrimination brought about legislative changes and the eponymous Fair 
Pay Act of 2009, women today are empowered to serve as activists in the 
fight for fairness in the workplace. These remarkable women were 
leaders and organizers who not only secured their own rights and access 
to equal opportunity but also served as a voice for many women who were 
undervalued and underpaid.
   Women today continue to carry the torch to secure workplace justice 
and equality and to contest and challenge norms in the American 
workforce. These female entrepreneurs, labor leaders, and innovators 
have challenged stereotypes and social assumptions about who women are 
and what they can achieve. These strong women, past and present, serve 
as remarkable role models who reflect the 2017 theme, Honoring 
Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business.
   Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join in celebrating Women's History 
Month and to recognize that after decades of dedication, perseverance, 
contributions, and advances, the stories of American women from all 
cultures and classes are being printed, spoken, recognized, and 
celebrated. In an effort to illustrate the many courageous and 
dedicated women throughout America's history, we remember and recount 
the tales of our ancestors' talents, sacrifices, and commitments that 
serve as an inspiration to today's generation of both women and men. I 
ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in 
celebrating meaningful and substantial impact women have had in labor 
and business throughout our nation's history.

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