Today marks the commencement of Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the visions, achievements, and legacies of women who have blazed trails in their families, communities, and nation. From the relentless suffragettes who fought for women’s voting rights, to the courageous Harriet Tubman who led enslaved individuals to freedom via the Underground Railroad, to the pioneering Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman who championed the Equal Rights Amendment in Congress over a century ago, and to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, women have tirelessly campaigned against injustice, broken countless barriers, and broadened the horizons of possibilities for all Americans.

But there is still much work to be done. Women continue to face pervasive sexism, pregnancy discrimination, unequal pay, sexual violence, and legislated attacks on our bodily autonomy, among other injustices. According to a Pew Research report, in 2022, White women typically earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by White men. While Hispanic or Latina women earned about 58 cents and Black women earned about 63 cents for every dollar White men earned.

Today, approximately 22 million women and girls of reproductive age in the U.S. live in states where abortion access is heavily restricted, and often totally inaccessible. Restrictions on access to healthcare places women’s lives and health at risk, leading to increased maternal mortality and morbidity, a climate of fear among healthcare providers, and reduced access to all forms of care as ob/gyn doctors and related professionals leave those restrictive states—for fear of civil or criminal prosecution under draconian new laws. 

Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, it is estimated that more than 65,000 women who were victims of rape and became pregnant in states where abortion has been banned were forced to have their rapist’s babies. 

This cannot stand!

How can we shift this narrative?

The pressure to change must come from all sides: At your local and state level, keep an eye out for and support important legislation that impacts women and their families. At the federal level, let’s work to get Congress to finally affirm and publish the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And make sure you take the time to learn about the candidates who are seeking your vote—from our non-partisan school board, to our state house, to Congress. It matters.

To help you be a more informed voter, WDC is co-hosting a forum for Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates, moderated by Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin at Montgomery Blair High School. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on key issues. It is crucial that Democrats keep control of the Senate, so choosing wisely in the primaries is important. Register to attend the forum here.  
Can’t attend in person? Register here for livestream via Zoom. 

WDC is also planning a candidate forum for US Congressional District 6 on April 28. Please save—and share—this date. It’s another WDC-led opportunity to meet the candidates and decide who deserves your support.

At WDC, we are committed to bringing you important events, presentations, community dialogues, advocacy efforts, and more year-round. And while your membership contributions are vital in supporting the work we do, we kindly encourage you to consider making an additional annual donation. Your extra support will allow us to continue the work we are doing to amplify issues of importance to our women and their families.

Stay Strong. Stay Focused. Stay United. 

Tazeen Ahmad
President