Women, We Need to Talk

[jtown1123]

What are the top policy issues for women? How can we make sure women are in more leadership positions?

Reps. Donna Edwards and Linda Sanchez are joining the AFL-CIO to host a discussion about how we can make the progressive movement better for women and lift up those voices.

Leave your comments/ideas here: go.aflcio.org/ConvQ9

And Reps. Sanchez, Edwards and AFL-CIO Sec. Treas. Liz Shuler and Exec. VP Arlene Holt Baker will respond live today from 1 p.m. EDT to 2 p.m. EDT.

[niyad]

1. k and r

[jtown1123]

2. Thanks! n/t

[SharonAnn]

9. Equal Pay for Equal Work is absolutely first! We shouldn't be slaves who are working part of our

time for free.

Then, we address the other issues such as reproductive health care.

But without that first one it's all just lip service.

I have always told women, "It's all about the money. Don't focus on other things until you've got the money you deserve for your work."

[SharonAnn]

10. Oh, and when "they" ask me and I tell them, they don't usually want to hear what I have to say.

They just want to know how they can continue doing things the way they've always done them and get women to be more accepting of it.

[daleanime]

3. K&R....

Lift every progressive voice.

[jtown1123]

4. Exactly! Thanks.

[frazzled]

5. Our top policy issues should be the same as for men

Of course issues like abortion rights and equal pay are of top interest to us, especially given the assault under which they have currently been placed by conservatives. But those should be of equal interest to men as well.

Women's top policy issues should also include economic and labor issues, foreign policy, civil rights, the social safety net, etc. The same issues that should be of interest to men.

I only say this because it irritates me when it is thought that women are only interested in "women's" issues. The same could be said of any group: LGBT citizens are also interested in national security and health care, not just "gay" issues; African Americans are interested in monetary policy, defense contracting, and infrastructure development, not just "black" issues.

All this said, we women must and will make our voices heard---not just on so-called "women's" issues but of all issues that are important to us as equal and deserving citizens of the nation at large.

[jtown1123]

6. I understand, but equal work for equal pay is huge

Also paid sick days, affordable child care and paid family leave....Yes, these are family issues, but I see very few progressive male leaders pounding the drum beat on these issues. There simply is a lack of female representation in Congress. We need more diverse voices (men, women, people of color, the lgbt community, etc.) in high profile positions.

[frazzled]

8. Yes, men (and everyone) should be supporting these issues just as much

And that was a large part of my point. After all, these issues affect them, as well. Not that everything we work for has to be about "me and mine." Indeed, if one is a liberal or progressive, self-interest is not the only way to approach political issues. We advocate for all people's needs, of course being most interested in our own.

For instance, I have worked hard over the years on the issue of gay rights and marriage equality, even though I am not gay. I have worked for issues that affect the poor and disadvantaged, even though I can't really count myself among that group.

So I'll put an addendum to my message here: our first priority should be to get men to support women's issues. Nothing is going to happen without it. Just as we could not have achieved the repeal of DADT and DOMA without enlisting the support of the large majority of straight Americans, women will not achieve equality without the vast support of Americans of all genders and stripes.

[JNelson6563]

7. You make excellent points.

I don't think the OP implied otherwise but certainly some do think that way.

With that being said, it is quite evident that there is a big disparity between men and women in positions of authority. I have no doubt if we had more women in Congress (or bob forbid~The White House!1!) at least some of these issues would be remedied quickly.

Julie