Duluth City Councilors, Women’s Advocates Push for Economic Security for Women & Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 12, 2014
Contacts:    Liz Olson, LizO@TakeActionMinnesota.org, 218.343.4281
Greta Bergstrom, Greta@TakeActionMinnesota.org, 651.336.6722

City Council Resolution to Be Introduced Monday Night

Duluth, MN – On the heels of Governor Mark Dayton signing into law a broad package of workplace protections for women and their families, several members of the Duluth City Council and advocates representing women and mothers in Duluth held a Monday afternoon press conference to highlight the needs of working women and their families and the significant barriers holding them back, including pay inequity, earned sick leave and retirement security.  Councilors plan to introduce and pass a resolution Monday night supporting economic security measures for women and working families locally.

“What happens on the state level matters here in Duluth,” said Emily Larson, Duluth City Council Vice-President and Councilor-At-Large. “Through passage of the Women’s Economic Security Act, we have made considerable strides during the 2014 legislative session to ensure greater economic security for women. But there is still important work to be done, especially around expanding earned sick time for working families.  As a city councilor, I believe the needs of women and families are the needs of our community. I will work to support efforts at the Capitol while crafting local solutions on economic security right here in Duluth.”

Sharla Gardner, who represents Duluth’s Third District, spoke firsthand about the hurdles faced by working moms. “When my sons were younger, I was a single mom, working full time. I understand the challenges people face, because I faced those same challenges as a working mom and head of household.  In Duluth and the rest of the state, female-dominated professions continue to have less value,” Gardner said.  “We need to come together as a city to support women and working families.”

Both Larson and Gardner plan to introduce a resolution at Monday night’s council meeting which will highlight specific inequities and spell out clear state policies that will directly impact Duluth’s working families. Statistics that show working women in Duluth earn approximately seventy-five cents for each dollar earned by men while communities surrounding the city experience an even wider pay gap.

Patti Larsen, who is Native American and works for a local organization serving women and families, primarily people of color, joined Larson and Gardner. “Eighty percent of American Indian households in Minnesota are headed by women and pay gaps have serious impacts on families.  When I was young, I watched the work my father did in construction and thought to myself, I want a job like that. Something that can make good money and support my family.  When I was a kid, it didn’t seem that difficult of a request.  But as I grew older, and entered fields of work dominated by men, I realized the challenges were many. I had to choose between being who I was as a woman, good caregiver to my children and maintaining my job.  A choice no working parent should have to make.”

Christyna Bodenhamer, Director of the Young Mother’s Program of the YWCA Spirit Valley, works on issues affecting racial and economic justice. “Every day I see and work with women who fall behind in our economy, and their kids – including infants — suffer the effects. It’s critical that we examine new policies that protect the economic health of caregivers, including time off to care for sick kids and relatives and equal pay laws for women.”

The council resolution to be introduced Monday night includes support for policies including:

• Closing the gender pay gap
• Expanding family and sick leave for working families
• Protecting caregivers and pregnant women from discrimination in the work place
• Support women-owned small business development in traditionally male dominated fields
• Retirement savings plans and protecting caregivers from financial hardship

Liz Olson, TakeAction Minnesota’s Organizing and Policy Manager in Duluth, said there is growing momentum from Minnesotans across the state to find policy solutions that will foster structural support for working women and their families. On Thursday, May 22 TakeAction Minnesota and the Center for American Progress will host the “Minnesota Women & Families Economic Security Summit” at the DECC.  The all-day event will feature panel discussions and training sessions focused on improving policies that affect the economic equity and security of women and their families.  The event is free of charge. For more information, contact TakeAction Minnesota’s Duluth office at 218.481.7290 or by email at LizO@takeactionminnesota.org.

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