President Obama made it clear that equal pay was a priority of his administration when he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in the first week of his Presidency. Today, he released a statement expressing his support for the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Read the President’s statement here.
Read Today’s release from the Maine Women’s Lobby.

The bill is filled with good things, including curbing excessive lending practices and ensuring that banks do not act irresponsibly in the pursuit of profit. Banks must be more accountable to consumers and the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will help protect people as they navigate financial transactions. Shareholders and creditors – and not taxpayers – will bear the losses when financial institutions fail. This means small businesses are also better off. As a member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Snowe had Maine in mind when she cast her vote.

Collins was a key supporter of the bill’s Financial Stability Council, which will target poor lending standards. Since women were 41% more likely to receive subprime loans, they were hurt the most by the economic downturn, so this part of the legislation is especially relevant to women.

The House has already voted for the reforms, which will now move to the White House for President Obama to sign. Let’s all join in sending vibes of gratitude to Snowe and Collins for their help!

The piece further goes on the point out that, “U.S. labor laws are perfectly suited to 1960, says University of Minnesota sociologist Phyllis Moen. The 40-hour workweek and 9-to-5 workday were all codified in an era when men went off to an assembly line and women stayed home.”

And paid sick days is one of the myriad policies that will help bring our labor standards into the new era – it’s good to know that we are moving in the right direction, even if we are a few decades behind.

Said Secretary Solis yesterday, “Thanks to the leadership of Vice President Biden we are proud to work with our colleagues in the Cabinet and the Middle Class Task Force to improve work-life policies, and efforts are underway to see how we can better meet the needs of modern working families. The Department’s testimony today in support of the Healthy Families Act points to one important step in that direction.”

So, I started asking around … and here are some reflections from the women of the Maine Women’s Lobby:

Director of Public Policy, Laura Harper, and some of her lobbyists cohorts.

Here’s what Laura had to say:

I feel certain that my experiences lobbying for marriage equality will never be matched. Every day, I came out to legislators. I shared with them my commitment for my partner, Lauren, our engagement, and the fears and discrimination I have faced during our partnership because we can’t get married.

It was a rush. It was exhausting. It was scary. It was joyful.

When the Governor signed the bill into law, I was waiting with other advocates outside his office. When a member of his staff discreetly stuck her head around the door and whispered, “He signed it,” I knew I was a part of Maine history. I knew it would be a moment I would never forget, similar to when President Obama was elected or when we finally passed the anti-discrimination law in Maine.

I will return to that moment again and again. There will always be a part of me that will never age, there will always be a young woman standing there in her little suit with her sweaty armpits and rumpled tissue thinking, “Oh my God, we’ve actually won.”

Here’s Sarah, our Executive Director:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s Kim Simmons, one of our board members:

The highlight of the 124th Legislative session, for me, was the passage of the Marriage Equality Bill!  I am impressed with the cooperation that emerged in the 124th Legislature and with the fact that our leadership is female. Nevertheless, I was disappointed not to see more radical and progressive action taken to redistribute wealth in our state, to protect the poor, and to address the absence of paid sick leave which creates both the potential for a public health crisis and family emergencies on daily basis. It seems to me that we have a unique moment to truly push for tax policy that is rooted in social justice priorities and reflects the interests of most Maine people, and I hope that more progressive and innovative thinking will emerge in the second session of the 124th!

Charlotte at the State House

And, here’s what I think:

So, when I think back on the 124th session of the Maine Legislature, my first thought is, “phew … it’s over.” And don’t get me wrong, I love the excitement of the session. I love the exhilaration of the wins – and the opportunity of the losses. And, I guess in a lot of ways I would describe this past session as a roller-coaster ride – we were up, we were down, we were recessed, we were tabled … Oh yeah, I was paying attention to the play-by-play afforded to us by Laura, her Blackberry, and Twitter … and I was addicted! Check out our newsletter archive to review the roller-coaster ride.

So, enough about us. What do you think? Add your reflections today.

PS: Yes, “phew” is actually a word. It’s in the dictionary and everything.

Thanks everyone,

Charlotte

Corporate Voices for Working Families is the leading national business membership organization representing the private sector on public and corporate policy issues involving working families. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, improving the lives of working families by developing and advancing innovative policies that reflect collaboration among the private sector, government and other stakeholders.

Collectively their 50 partner companies, with annual net revenues of more than $1 trillion, employ more than 4 million individuals throughout all 50 states. 

Mrs. Obama gave a compelling speech (video below) commending the corporate partners and their business practices “giving employees flexibility and much needed support.” 

Click here to view the embedded video.

“This research is critical to empowering employers,” Mrs. Obama said.  ”This isn’t just about family balance it also makes workplaces stronger and more effective.”

Investing in these family supportive policies pays off for employers more than they may realize which, might explain, why the private, money making sector – caught on to the trend.