YWCA SOTU Statement

In response to the President’s State of the Union address on March 1, 2022, YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell released the following statement:“At a time when women of color continue to bear the brunt of the economic and health impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic including skyrocketing caregiving needs –all while facing systemic barriers that have long limited our opportunities–President Biden’s State of the Union address got it right. Congress must come together and take action on the economic, caregiving, gender-based violence, health, and racial justice policy solutions that address issues that are central to our lives.YWCA’s national YWomenVote 2022 poll found that a majority of women across the spectrum support legislative solutions like paid family and medical leave, affordable childcare, equal pay, reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, protecting abortion rights, and addressing the impact of stress and trauma from the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, voting rights, white nationalism, holding police accountable, and other racial justice issues remain top concerns for many women.This is the unfinished business of the 117th Congress. Women put in the work to put food on the table, shoulder ever-increasing responsibilities at work, take care of aging parents, help our kids with remote learning, and so much more. It is time that Congress put in the work for us.This is what women in America want, need, deserve, and demand.”