"America’s Economic Agenda: Women’s
Voices for Solutions" Moves to the States
"It is long past time to fully recognize and make visible
the contributions made by women to American society."
– U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D.-La.) |
Women today exert more economic, political and
consumer power than ever before, but their power does not yet match
their enormous untapped potential.
On April 2, CPA President Linda Tarr-Whelan and one hundred
women leaders presented Vice President Gore with an action plan containing
on-the-ground, practical legislative and grassroots strategies that close this gap.
Vice President Gore enthusiastically pledged the Administration’s support
for
this blueprint for action. These women leaders, many of whom participated
in CPA’s 1997 Women’s Economic Leadership Summit, have pledged to
carry out these ideas and solutions in their constituencies across the country. Click here to view photo.
"This is a blueprint for action to close the economic power gap
between men and women and realize women’s economic potential," said Tarr-Whelan.
"Women-owned businesses employ 1 of every 4 workers. Women-owned
businesses add $2.3 trillion to the U.S. economy each year. Women make
80 percent of all consumer decisions. Women are the majority of voters."
"And yet, a woman works until April 3 to earn what a man in the
same job made by January 1," Tarr-Whelan continued. "Eight of ten women
earn less than $25,000 per year. Two out of three working women have no pension.
And, three of every five adults living in poverty are women."
"Those contrasting realities define the gap we must close,"
Tarr-Whelan stated.
The action plan was unveiled at a Capitol Hill press conference and
presented to Vice President Gore at a White House event that afternoon. Click here to see photo.
"Each of us has an important role to play in implementing the
Economic Agenda, regardless of where we live or what we do," said U.S.
Representative Connie Morella (R.-Md.), who spoke
at the press conference on Capitol Hill with Senator Mary Landrieu (D.-La.),
Georgia State Representative Nan Grogan Orrock and Colorado Small
Business Development Director Cec Ortiz. Click here to see photo.
The recommendations in the action plan focus on four major areas: economic self-sufficiency, health care and security,
entrepreneurship and family and work.
"Women at the policy table and women at the kitchen table want and deserve a
full and equal measure — in our paychecks, in our pocketbooks, and in our peace
of mind."
– Georgia State Rep. Nan Grogan Orrock |
Among the goals and strategies in the blueprint for
action:
• To achieve self-sufficiency, women must receive
equal pay. To successfully balance family and work,
women must have family-friendly workplaces and flexible work
options.
• Women entrepreneurs need an increased pool of credit and learning linked
to lending to ensure the skills for success.
• Health care must be comprehensive, affordable and keep women
healthy throughout their lifetimes, and cost-cutting managed care practices
that harm women must end.
To view the entire action plan or the executive summary, click here, or request a copy of
America’s Economic Agenda: Women’s Voices for
Solutions from CPA.
- Additional Economic Agenda Photos
- U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D.-La.)
- U.S. Representative Connie Morella (R.-Md.)
- Ida Castro, Director-Designate of the EEOC
- Afternoon panel
- Afternoon briefing
Taking Action: Next Steps
Selected Recommendations from
America’s Economic Agenda: Women’s Voices for Solutions
Economic Self-sufficiency
• Champion equal pay for women.
• Require mandatory pro-rated benefits for part-time and contingent
workers.
Entrepreneurship
• Increase the pool of credit and financing options available to women
in small and large ventures.
• Maximize the Community Reinvestment Act.
• Link learning to lending.
Health Care & Security
• Stop short-sighted cost-cutting practices of managed care that
harm women.
• Recognize and treat domestic violence as a public health issue.
Family & Work
• Provide flexibility and resources to support working families who take
care of elderly relatives.
• Expand the Family and Medical Leave Act.
To view the full list of recommendations and the full report, click here.
Did you know?
From 1988 to 1998 the number of U.S. philanthropies focusing
on women grew from 25 to 75. These funds tend to be
locally based and develop new approaches to problems
facing women and girls.
Working closely with our funders, CPA connects women
in grassroots, state and national groups so that they can
share information, experiences and effective models. To find out
how you can support CPA in these efforts, please call our
development office at (202) 387-6030.
