Happy Women’s History Month, friends.

While this month serves as a time to celebrate the women’s movement and the progress women have made, we can’t ignore the discrimination and misogyny that continues to harm women – especially women of color.

To demonstrate a fraction of the hardships impacting women across the country, let me share some statistics with you:

• Women earn 82 cents to the dollar of every man (even less for women of color).
• Nearly 1 in 4 women will obtain an abortion at some point in her life – meaning the ongoing cause to repeal reproductive rights is impacting women’s safety and autonomy over their bodies.
• Every 1 in 5 women is a victim of sexual assault.
• Women comprise nearly half of the workforce, but only 27% are STEM workers.

As a woman leader in politics, I know firsthand what it’s like to be dismissed and violated. If I give a passionate speech on the House floor or during an interview, then I’m perceived as irrational or emotional.

But if a man in the same position as me does the same exact thing, he’s validated.

I was the first woman to ever be elected to MI-11, and I ran my campaign on the basis of hopefully inspiring women, especially young girls, that it’s okay to use your voice to stand up for what you believe in.

That’s why I voted yes to pass the Women’s Health and Protection Act, legislation that protects a woman’s right over her body, why I voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to abolish the wage gap, and why I am an ardent supporter of paid family leave, a burden that more often than not falls on mothers.

That’s also why I will always keep pushing for more STEM education funding to help more girls enter one of Michigan’s most prominent industries.

Women’s History Month serves as a reminder that this month, and every month, we must recognize the work we have ahead while appreciating how far we’ve come. If you’re with me, will you chip in $25 or whatever you can to keep me advocating for these issues in Congress?

Together,

Haley