Lucas,
Last week, President Obama called for a $9 federal minimum wage. We all know this increase is long overdue.
But here's something you may not know: an incredibly disproportionate number – 64% of minimum wage earners – are women.
Our lagging minimum wage makes it tougher for women-led families to get by. When the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed, the inflation-adjusted minimum wage was $9.38. These hard-working women deserve a living wage today.
Too often they are left to choose between feeding their kids, putting gas in the car or paying the bills. It's a vicious cycle, and one that we have to break immediately.
Last year, I cosponsored legislation to raise the minimum wage. We must renew this push now. Women and their families need this.
Click here to add your voice and tell Congress to raise the minimum wage to $9.
Raising the minimum wage would benefit 13 million women. Women are now the breadwinner or co-breadwinner in almost two-thirds of American families. This is an opportunity to help working women catch up. It's an opportunity for families to get ahead. It's an opportunity for all of us to reach higher.
And it's not just women who are negatively affected: Our low minimum wage keeps money out of the hands of small businesses. Studies show that increasing the minimum wage actually helps create jobs.
With the president behind us, we've got a chance at this – but it still won't be easy. We have to be heard. We have to fight. This is the right thing to do for our economy and, more importantly, for our families.
It's time to tell Congress: Raise the minimum wage now.
Let's get this done.
Kirsten Gillibrand