Dear John,

Are you satisfied with the treatment of women in the U.S.?

If you’re reading this letter, I’m going to assume that you probably aren’t. And you’re not alone. 

Only 44% of women are satisfied with the treatement of women in society, according to recent polling from Gallup. This compares to 61% of men who are satisfied with the treatment of women in society – a 17-point gender gap. And only 33% of women compared to 61% of men think women and men have equal job opportunities – a whopping 28 point difference. Younger women and Black and Hispanic women are the least satisfied and the least likely to think women and men have equal job opportunities. (A silver lining – support for affirmative action programs for women and people of color has continued to rise, registering its highest levels among both women and men since 2001).

Women’s satisfaction with their status is at a record low, in fact — and it has continued to drop ever since the #MeToo movement exploded onto the national stage, raising awareness about sexual harassment and violence against women. With the recent and intensifying attacks on abortion rights and access, we predict dissatisfaction will likely increase further. As I write this to you, the U.S. Department of Justice has just asked the Surpeme Court to block the Texas 6-week abortion ban after the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals failed to stop this cruel law from being enforced while the legal battles over its constitutionality play out. 

Right now, Congress is debating proposals that would make a difference for women who are directly impacted by these profound inequities every day. As Rep. Lauren Underwood explained in Ms., the Build Back Better Act would support women by creating jobs, and investing in childcare, pre-school and maternal health — an investment that is more than overdue, as the U.S. is currently one of the deadliest higher-income countries to give birth in. Writes Underwood, “This historic legislation includes critical investments that uphold a fundamental principle: that in America, every family has a right to thrive.”

Recent polling from the First Five Years Fund shows just how popular the Build Back Better proposals are: 81% of voters see childcare and universal pre-school as a good investment of taxpayer money, including 80% of Independents and 66% of Republicans. And 73% of voters support the Build Back Better Act as a whole. 

Voters recognize that the proposals in the Build Back Better Act are essential for pandemic recovery — and for women in particular. And voters want Congress to act quickly. 

We agree.

For equality,

Kathy Spillar
Executive Editor

P.S. — Ms. is keeping you up to date on every development in the latest and most aggressive attempt in Texas to deny women their constitutional right to exercise control over their lives. As we face the most consequential challenge to our fundamental right to abortion yet, we need to know we have your support.