Washington, D.C. – Today, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in honor of Women’s History Month:

“March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is ‘Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.’ This theme provides us an important opportunity to ensure that we, as a nation, are including the stories, struggles, and successes of women into the American narrative.

“Women have been deeply ingrained in the fabric of our nation’s history from the very beginning. From Abigail Adams’ role as unofficial adviser to the president, to Sandra Day O’Connor serving as the first female member of the United States Supreme Court, to Nancy Pelosi’s tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives, we have come a long way.  Celebrating the women who have come before us is essential to continuing our march toward total equality for women.  We stand on these women’s shoulders, and without knowing and understanding the stories of our foremothers, we have nothing to stand on.

“The theme of this March also encourages us to recommit to always elevating women’s perspectives in the work we do building this nation, now and in the future.  This is something that I am proud to say our President and Democrats have made a priority.

“In President Obama, women have had a strong ally in the fight for economic opportunity,  affordable health care, and a fair work, life balance. The first bill our President signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, helps equip women with the legal tools they need to fight wage discrimination; with the Affordable Care Act, millions more American women now have access to quality, affordable health care without being discriminated against by insurance companies for being a woman; and a dedication to allowing parents the economic freedom to stay home with sick children so that working mothers can both take care of and afford to feed their families – Democrats have fought for policies that reflect the priorities of women and will continue to do so.

“It is no secret why Republicans continue to struggle with women voters.  They continuously either ignore the voices of women or simply stand on the wrong side of these issues and so many more that are important to women and families. They still brush them aside as ‘just women’s issues’ – forgetting that women are not a small special interest group, but in fact make up half of our nation and ‘their’ issues are family issues and economic issues. In prioritizing the wealthy and special interests, Republicans have disregarded the needs of American woman and lost sight of the cornerstones of middle class economics.

“This Women’s History Month, we recommit to never ignoring the perspectives and lives of women.  And we celebrate our progress, as well as the work still to be done, by drawing strength from the women whose stories are woven into our nation’s history.  May the women of the past be forever in our minds as we continue to break barriers and fight for full equality.  From our DNC family to yours, Happy Women’s History Month.”