Obama an advocate for women

By Patty Judge

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Women comprise nearly half of the work force. Our daughters make up the majority of students in America's colleges and universities. And we serve as the primary caregivers for our children and aging parents. As the heads of households and workplaces across the country, we've felt the pain not only of discrimination, but of the decades-long erosion of middle-class security.

Since the day he took office, President Barack Obama has been a staunch advocate for women, working to protect and advance policies that promote fairness, equal opportunity and a level playing field.

Three years ago, Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, helping us win an overdue and hard-fought battle to get equal pay for equal work. This important step for our country was the first piece of legislation Obama signed into law.

The Ledbetter Act is a step in the process of closing the earning gap and helps women who were victims of pay discrimination recover their wages. It's difficult to quantify. But the law has been applied to court cases involving allegations of wage discrimination. However, an earnings gap still remains, as does wage discrimination, as attested to by wage discrimination complaints filed and court decisions.

The law amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 so that unfair pay complaints can be filed within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck - and that 180 days resets after each paycheck is issued. The anniversary of this major step toward equality reminds of what we want in a president, and what it means to lead.

Obama knows our work isn't done. In his State of the Union address, he underscored his commitment to closing the pay gap once and for all so women no longer earn only 78 cents on the dollar but are rewarded for our hard work.

The president took office in the midst of the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression. From day one he has focused on solving problems. He genuinely believes that America prospers when everyone plays by the same rules on a level playing field, and that anyone, no matter gender or background, can succeed if they work hard.

He understands that as women have worked harder while caring for our families, we have been disproportionately hit by stagnant wages, rising health costs, reduced pension benefits and mounting college debt.

Obama has proved time and again that he'll fight for women everywhere. We owe it to ourselves to accept his challenge - and we owe it to the president to give him another four years to advance the cause of equality.

Patty Judge is a former Iowa lieutenant governor. Comments: patty@

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