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Today, Rep. Cuellar (D-TX-28) marked Women’s Equality Day, a celebration of the 95th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which ensured women’s right to vote across the country. This hard-won victory came after 72 years of marching and petitioning as well as ostracism and imprisonment following the first major women’s rights conference at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848.

“Women’s Equality Day serves as an important reminder of the great accomplishments of women in our country and the history to obtain equal rights,” Congressman Cuellar said. “We must continue to work to remove the gaps and ceilings that remain between men and women, particularly in the workplace.”

Even today, outdated policies limit opportunities in the workplace. For instance, women, on average, are still paid just 78 cents for every dollar paid to men. This wage gap is unacceptable in the 21st century and hurts both women and families.

“One of the best ways to spur economic growth and reignite the American dream is to level the playing field on which men and women play,” Congressman Cuellar said. “On this Women’s Equality Day, let us redouble our commitment to better economic opportunity for women, knowing that women’s success is America’s success.”