BROOKLYN, NY – U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke issued the following statement in recognition of Women’s History Month.

“I encourage everyone in Brooklyn to remember the contributions of women to the development of our nation,” said Representative Clarke. “From Abigail Adams, whose works informed the drafting of our Constitution, to Rosa Parks, whose courage has inspired generations of civil rights activists, women have been leaders in the fight for equality.”

“Our work must continue. Women are still underrepresented in elected office and in the executive suites of our corporation, while wage discrimination persists,” continued Representative Clarke.

On Thursday, Representative Clarke voted with a majority of her colleagues in the House of Representatives to reauthorize the Violence Against  Women Act, which authorizes the federal government, the states, law enforcement, and service providers to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assaults and stalking.

“The security of our wives, sisters, daughters, and friends depends on the Violence Against Women Act, which was finally reauthorized after Republican leaders in Congress allowed the law to expire,” said Representative Clarke. “I commend my colleagues in Congress who worked to extend the protections of this law to every woman in America.”

Women’s History Month started as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” 

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U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations; Ethics; and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents several neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which includes Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Ocean Hill, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.