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When Women Succeed, America Succeeds

July 19, 2013
Pelosi Update
When Women Succeed, America Succeeds
This week marks the 165th anniversary of an historic gathering of women who were committed to that singular purpose: to ensure that every freedom, every liberty, and every right belongs to every American.
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first Women’s Rights Convention. Our very Declaration of Independence is echoed in the Declaration of Sentiments at Seneca Falls: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men and women are created equal.
That is why we, the Women Democratic Members of Congress, are so proud to announce an economic agenda for women and families: When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families. This agenda is about the future of America’s families and the growth of America’s economy by addressing the following economic challenges:
  • When women earn equal pay, we know America’s economy will prosper.
  • When women can have fairness and balance between work and family, we know American society will thrive.
  • When families can access affordable and high-quality child care, we know Americans will have the ability to return to the workplace.
It is about unleashing the power of our nation’s women and, in doing so, strengthening the middle class – the backbone of our democracy. And when all women succeed, we know America succeeds.
Congresswoman Pelosi joins with with Members of the House Democratic Caucus on the steps of the United States Capitol to announce their new agenda: When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families.
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Congresswoman Pelosi joins with with Members of the House Democratic Caucus on the steps of the United States Capitol to announce their new agenda: When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families.
Congresswoman Pelosi joins with with Members of the House Democratic Caucus on the steps of the United States Capitol to announce their new agenda: When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families.
Celebrating the Legacy of Nelson Mandela
In honor of Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday, the United States Congress hosted a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol to reflect on his legacy and his values. As we marked his greatness by the reading of his own words, it is important to note that the spirit and the words of Nelson Mandela have permeated the halls of the Capitol for many years and many times.
As Deputy President, Mandela stated: "To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. To impose on them a wretched life of hunger and deprivation is to dehumanize them." Four years later, he returned to the House chamber – this time, as the democratically-elected President of South Africa.
He epitomized the pain of apartheid and the struggle to end it; he was a symbol of the oppression and prejudice that plagued millions across Africa. Yet Nelson Mandela never gave up hope. He never lost faith in the strength of the human spirit. As Mandela once defined it: "courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
When he was released from prison, he had the courage to turn not to hatred, but to love; not to vengeance, but to compassion; not to resentment, but to reconciliation. And that reconciliation was South Africa’s gift to the world.
May we always answer the call for justice, reconciliation, and peace: the call of Nelson Mandela. Happy birthday, Madiba.