Hillary Scholten and Colleagues Mark Women's History Month on House Floor

Honoring Women's Contributions to the US

• 🇺🇸 250 years ago, women lacked basic rights like voting, holding office, or owning property, but today, women constitute 125 members of Congress and over 58% of college graduates.
• 🌟 This progress is attributed to the courage and trailblazing efforts of past generations of women.

Honoring Ambassador Janette Hyde

• 🌟 Ambassador Janette Hyde, a North Carolina native, is honored as a trailblazer who championed women's rights and the Equal Rights Amendment.
• 🎗️ Her legacy includes advocating for women's full participation in the political process and fighting for women's healthcare, childcare, and equal pay.

Maternal Health Crisis and Healthcare Policy

• 🤰 A severe maternal and infant mortality crisis is highlighted, with over half the country lacking adequate obstetric care.
• 📉 The Republican budget is criticized for potentially gutting Medicaid, the primary payer for maternity care, while offering tax cuts to the wealthy.
• ⚠️ This policy is seen as threatening essential healthcare for mothers and babies, potentially leading to more hospital closures and maternal care deserts.

Trailblazing Women in the Military and Beyond

• ⚓ Stories of pioneering women at the U.S. Naval Academy are shared, including the first African-American woman graduate, the first female valedictorian, and the first African-American female Brigade Commander.
• ✈️ Harriet Quimby, the first American woman to earn a pilot's license and fly solo across the English Channel, is celebrated for her achievements.
• ✊ Sojourner Truth, a fearless abolitionist and women's rights advocate, and Anna Howard Shaw, an early female minister and suffrage leader, are recognized for their lifelong fights for justice and equality.
• 🏞️ Clara Arthur, a champion of the "playground movement," and luia Vorhees Grimes, a dedicated suffragist, are highlighted for their work in education, labor reform, and securing voting rights.

Fighting for Healthcare Access and Rights

• 🛡️ Representatives are committed to protecting essential programs like Medicaid against proposed cuts by Republicans, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk.
• 💔 The story of Abby Caroma, a mother whose visually impaired daughters rely on Medicaid, illustrates the impossible choices families face when healthcare is threatened.
• 💪 The speakers vow to stand in the gap and fight for families, ensuring healthcare remains a right, not a privilege.