Women and Children Committee Chair Vows to “Keep Up the Fight” for Equal Opportunity for Women
(VOORHEES)–Assembly Women and Children Committee Chairwoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) today released the following statement on the upcoming three year anniversary of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was signed into law on January 29, 2009. A response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2007 decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the act expands the ability of individuals to sue their employers for pay discrimination based on gender.
“When President Obama worked with Congress to enact the Ledbetter Act three years ago, their message could not have been clearer–women in the workplace deserve equal pay for equal work. This important law ensures our economy works for all our citizens, but when it comes to providing economic opportunity to women and families in New Jersey, it’s equally clear that our work is not yet done.”
“With women representing over half of New Jersey’s college students, there’s no doubt that New Jersey’s highly-educated and hard-working women deserve equal pay for equal contributions to the workforce. Pay equity is a key issue we must address in the Legislature, as we look to rebuild and strengthen New Jersey’s struggling middle class.”
“While New Jersey’s unemployment rate is higher than both the national average and that of our neighboring states, women continue to make up a disproportionate number of those who have been hit hardest by this recession. We must continue our efforts to support New Jersey’s women-owned businesses and provide equal opportunity to women and families today.”
“We must also tackle the challenges of ensuring women are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. That’s why our committee will examine ways to increase women’s participation in key fields where they are traditionally underrepresented–like engineering, the sciences, mathematics, and the innovation industries that are driving the 21st century economy.”
“As Chairwoman of this new committee, I plan to keep up the fight on these critical issues, because our state is stronger when our economy works for all its citizens. I look forward to working with my fellow committee members to address these challenges in this new legislative session.”