NEW: Cicilline, Pelosi Holds Discussion with Rhode Island Women
Monday, March 19, 2012
U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) welcomed House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the Rhode Island Foundation the morning of Monday, March 19th, for a roundtable discussion on health and workforce issues facing Rhode Island women.
“The growth of our economy and the prosperity of our nation's families depend on the success, jobs, and strength of America's women, in the workforce and at home," Leader Pelosi said. "With Congressman Cicilline's leadership, the women of Rhode Island will always have a seat at the table; their voices will be heard; their economic challenges will be met; and our country will keep fighting to live up to the promise of equality for all.”
Cicilline moderated the hour-long conversation on women’s health and workforce issues with Pelosi, Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, and other leading women’s rights advocates. The conversation touched on issues including women’s health care, pay equity, and workplace discrimination.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“As we begin to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Leader Pelosi has been leading the charge for women’s issues for more than two decades now,” added Cicilline. “I am thrilled that she was able to join us for today’s discussion, and I am looking forward to continuing to work with her to address issues important to women and get our state back on the right track.”
Cicilline is serving his first term representing Rhode Island’s First Congressional District. He previously served as Mayor of Providence from 2003-2011, where he earned a reputation for fighting on behalf of women most notably by expanding employment opportunities for women in City government and also closing a loophole that had legalized indoor prostitution. In Congress, Cicilline has continued to serve as a leading voice for women’s rights – cosponsoring the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1519) to ensure that women receive equal pay as their male counterparts, as well as the Equal Rights Amendment (H.J. Res. 69) to amend the Constitution so that women and men are guaranteed equal rights under the law.
Pelosi is the Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives in the 112th Congress. From 2007 to 2011, she served as the first woman Speaker of the House and is also the first woman in American history to lead a major political party in Congress, having served as House Democratic Leader from 2003 to 2007. Leader Pelosi has represented California's Eighth District for 25 years.