►
Description
The second installment in the series celebrates Women’s History Month with a look at how women have strengthened legislatures and the workforce. We’ll focus on the historical lessons learned from the NCSL podcast series “Building Democracy,” including the ways women have contributed to the legislative institution. We’ll hear about the impact women have had on building equity in the workforce.
📌 Discovery more at NCSL.org:
https://www.ncsl.org/
A
A
We
encourage
you
to
use
the
chat
box
to
submit
questions,
and
if
there
are
questions
that
you
have
answers
to
then
submit
your
answers
in
the
chat
box.
You
can
also
use
the
raise
hand
feature
on
zoom
to
let
us
know
that
you
have
a
question
last.
Please
take
a
minute
to
review
your
name,
click
on
the
three
dots
in
your
box
and
insert
your
legislative
title
or
organization
and
statements,
so
we
can
easily
identify
who
has
joined
us
today.
Okay,
at
the
login
plan.
A
A
B
Thanks
ann
and
hi
everybody,
I'm
so
excited
to
have
the
opportunity
to
celebrate
women
in
legislatures
with
you
all.
Today,
it's
been
a
distinct
pleasure
to
work
on
the
building
democracy
podcast,
where
I,
along
with
my
ncsl
colleagues,
legislators,
legislative
staff
and
scholars,
have
told
the
stories
of
legislatures
from
the
first
meeting
of
the
burgesses
in
the
jamestown
settlement
in
1619
to
the
challenges
and
innovations
that
are
driving
legislatures
into
the
future.
B
B
Okay,
so
sorry,
one
more
second,
while
I
pulled
up
my
notes
again
so
senator
ellis
in
wyoming,
she
told
us
about
a
few
wyoming
women
and
a
specific
set
of
events
that
led
to
the
territory
being
the
first
to
legislate
suffrage
for
women,
julia
bright,
who
was
a
suffragist
but
also
happened
to
be
the
wife
of
the
territorial
council
president,
william
bright.
She,
along
with
esther
hobart
morris,
who
was
a
woman
of
means,
could
run
up
against
some
sexist
banking
and
property
laws
after
the
death
of
her
first
husband.
B
B
Esther
hobart
morris
went
on
to
become
the
first
woman
justice
of
the
peace
or
a
judge
in
the
united
states,
and
then
in
1870s
the
next
year,
louisa
ann
swain
became
the
first
woman
to
vote
in
a
general
election.
Here's
a
caveat,
there's
lots
of
caveats
and
very
specific
firsts
in
these
types
of
discussions.
B
B
B
B
So
wyoming
was
the
first
to
legislate
colorado,
the
first
to
do
it
via
popular
referendum,
which
meant
that
colorado
women
had
convinced
enough
of
their
male
peers
to
vote
for
the
referendum,
which
had
been
put
there
by
the
legislature,
which
meant
they
had
convinced
enough
legislators
to
get
it
on
the
ballot.
In
the
first
place.
B
So
representative
frolick
told
us
the
story
of
the
first
women
to
be
elected
to
a
legislative
body.
The
year
following
the
passage
of
the
referendum,
clara
cressingham,
francis
clock
and
carrie
hawley
were
those
first
women
and
like
many
of
the
first
women
elected
to
statewide
offices,
their
legislative
career
wasn't
very
long.
They
all
served
single
two-year
terms
and
we
don't
have
much
information
about
what
they
did
or
said,
while
in
office,
but
after
clara
carey
and
francis
and
marza
and
esther
hobart
morris.
B
In
wyoming,
after
esther
hobart
morris
is
elected
to
as
justice
of
the
peace
women
began
to
serve
on
juries,
were
elected
to
school
boards
and
then,
eventually
to
statewide
office.
Nellie
taylo
moss
became
the
first
woman
to
be
inaugurated
as
governor
in
1924
after
elected
to
finish
off
her
husband's
term
after
he
had
died.
B
She
and
ma
ferguson
of
texas.
They
were
both
elected
on
the
same
day,
but
nellie
was
inaugurated
first
in
utah
you
have
martha's
hughes
cannon
and
in
her
push,
she
wanted
to
legislate
a
state
board
of
health
and
she
created
an
alliance
with
alice
merrell
horn,
which
was
that
other
woman
that
I
had
mentioned.
She
was
a
representative
in
the
house
and
alice
wanted
to
legislate
a
state
art
institute
and
art
collection.
B
When
the
votes
came
up
for
that
legislation,
the
two
of
them
scattered,
yellow
daffodils,
on
the
desks
of
their
peers
as
a
reminder
of
the
support
that
they
had
of
utah's
women
and
the
need
for
the
that
to
be
taken
seriously
with
their
legislation,
then
in
colorado,
oh,
and
that
legislation
worked
there,
they
did
legislate
a
state
in
art,
institute
and
collection
and
a
board
of
health
in
colorado.
Having
women
in
the
chambers
meant
no
more
spittoons.
B
C
B
She
also
told
us
about
agnes
riddle,
who
was
a
two-term
senator
in
1910,
who
spoke
up
about
a
bill
that
was
being
proposed
on
the
floor,
to
lock
down
the
sex
workers
in
the
red
light
district
here
in
denver,
and
she
stood
up
and
and
spoke
to
her
male
colleagues
and
said
why
shut
the
gates
of
hell
on
the
girls
and
not
the
men
who
visit
them?
Who
among
you
would
not
be
locked
in?
B
Needless
to
say,
the
only
person
who
voted
for
that
bill
was
the
sponsor.
After
she
got
done
talking
and
then
eventually,
some
capital
renovations
become
necessary.
There
were
no
women's
bathrooms
adjacent
to
the
colorado
house
chamber
until
the
1970s
female
representatives
had
to
walk
all
the
way
over
to
the
senate
side
of
the
capitol
to
use
the
restroom.
B
B
B
B
There's
also
a
bonus
interview
on
the
building
democracy
feed
with
two
professors,
one
from
the
university
of
minnesota,
one
from
the
university
of
south
dakota,
who
tell
many
more
stories
from
lots
of
other
states,
don't
feel
left
out.
We've
crammed
as
many
stories
in
as
we
can,
and
I
just
look
forward
to
your
questions
during
the
q,
a
portion,
and
I
hope
that
this
reminder
of
the
legacy
that
you
are
all
a
part
of
helps
to
give
you
a
boost
as
your
session
winds
on
and
thank
you
all.
A
Thanks
megan,
that
was
so
interesting
and
I
am
going
to
check
out
more
you
really
piqued
my
interest
thanks
so
much.
I
was
also
excited
to
see
ncsl
share
and
promote
this
building
democracy
podcast
in
the
latest
state
legislatures
news,
so
we'll
all
have
to
check
that
out.
Our
next
speaker
will
share
some
milestones
around
equity
in
the
workforce.
D
You
for
that
introduction,
and
thank
you
for
having
me
today,
it's
a
pleasure
to
be
here
with
you.
This
friday
was
funny.
You
were
saying
12
o'clock
and
I'll
note
that
I
am
coming
in
today
from
washington
dc
right
in
the
middle
of
the
of
the
city,
and
I'm
always
excited
to
be
able
to
talk
about
equity,
particularly
equity
in
the
workforce
during
women's
history
month,
a
frame.
D
What
I'm
going
to
share
by
noting
that
I
come
to
any
conversation
about
equity
as
a
black
woman
with
a
non-apparent
disability,
and
this
is
an
intersectionality
that
has
shaped
both
the
person.
I
am,
but
also
the
the
work
that
I
do
and
and
the
career
path
that
I
found
myself
on.
As
you
just
heard,
I
serve
as
the
assistant
secretary
of
the
office
of
disability,
employment
policy.
We
call
it
odep,
you
know
we're
quite
friendly
with
the
acronyms
in
the
federal
government,
so
oda
for
those
of
you
who
aren't
familiar.
D
I
would
say
about
21
years
ago
to
facilitate
greater
collaboration
across
policies,
programs
and
agencies
to
promote
employment
opportunities
for
people
with
disabilities,
and,
as
part
of
that,
we
work
very
closely
with
our
sister
agencies,
including
our
women's
spirit.
So
I'm
really
pleased
to
be
here
representing
the
department
of
labor
and
our
collective
efforts
to
advance
diversity,
equity
inclusion
and
accessibility
in
our
nation's
workforce
during
women's
history
month,
each
march.
D
D
There
are
a
few
examples
of
the
the
countless
women
who
have
made
significant
contributions
to
women's
history,
disability,
history
and
american
history,
and
during
women's
history
month
at
the
department
of
labor,
we
work
this
month
and
every
month
to
really
honor
those
legacies
by
seeking
to
advance
employment
and
economic
empowerment
for
women,
including
women
with
disabilities
and
in
the
wake
of
the
pandemic.
We
know
this
is
critical.
D
Covet
19
has
exacerbated
the
challenges
women
already
faced
with
employment,
discrimination,
workplace,
sexual
harassment,
pay
inequity
and
limited
advancement
opportunities,
while
at
the
same
time
underscoring
how
thread
bear
our
care
infrastructure
is
in
the
early
part
of
the
pandemic.
In
april
2020,
the
unemployment
rate
for
adult
women
was
15.4,
the
highest
unemployment
rate
ever
reported,
since
the
bureau
of
labor
statistics
or
bls
began
its
data
collection
in
1948,
and
that
rate
was
even
higher
for
women
with
disabilities.
D
In
fact,
we
are
currently
experiencing
the
lowest
female
labor
force
participation
rate
in
33
years.
The
binding
administration
is
committed
to
addressing
these
challenges
and
building
an
inclusive
recovery.
We
know
we
must
seize
this
opportunity
to
address
deep
and
long-standing
inequities
that
continue
to
hold
back
women,
people
of
color
people
with
disabilities
and
working
families.
D
A
little
bit
about
how
we
envision
getting
there.
That
includes
opening
and
expanding
pipelines
to
careers
in
infrastructure,
including
through
inclusive
apprenticeship
and
pre-apprenticeship
programs,
with
robust
supportive
services
that
help
women
and
enter
and
then
stay
in
the
trades
and
and
other
non-traditional
careers.
D
Some
of
these
solutions
will
be
addressed
at
the
the
federal
level,
but,
as
so
many
of
you
know,
states
and
localities
are
where
the
impact
of
policy
is
felt.
That
is
why
odep
created
the
state
exchange
on
employment
and
disability
or
seed
as
we
call
it.
Seed
helps
states
and
localities,
implement
policies
that
advance
the
employment
of
people
with
disabilities
and
strengthen
their
economies
in
the
process.
D
Key
to
success.
Success
is
our
work
with
organizations
like
the
women's
legislative
network
and
in
csl.
You
guys
are
key
partners
for
us
and
really
put
simply
seed
acts
as
an
educator
and
a
hands-on
policy
guide
to
state
policy
makers.
Like
you,
we
offer
background
on
disability,
employment,
related
policies
and
practices.
D
It's
also
important
to
know
that
seed
is
cross,
disability
and
focus
improving
employment
opportunities
and
outcomes
for
people
with
all
types
of
disabilities.
Certainly,
we
are
a
very
rich
and
diverse
community,
and
so
this
of
course
includes
our
nation's
disabled
veterans
and
many
americans,
who
have
recently
acquired
a
disability
due
to
covet
19..
D
D
So,
as
we
work
to
ensure
america's
economic
recovery
recovery
from
the
covet
19
pandemic,
we
want
to
ensure
that
it
is
powered
by
inclusion,
and
I
truly
encourage
all
of
you
to
explore
opportunities
to
collaborate
with
c.
We
have
an
incredible
team,
some
of
whom
are
represented
on
this
call
today,
and
I
see
dropping
information
and
resources
in
the
chat.
D
D
A
A
I
was
sort
of
interested
to
hear
you
know.
First,
we
heard
the
discussion
about
women,
legislators
and
women
in
legislatures
and
how
you
know
the
changes
that
were
made
and
the
types
of
policies
they
went
forward
with
and
then
to
hear
a
lot
about
things
like.
I
was
curious
when
you
talked
about
the
lack
of
enforcement
of
sexual
harassment,
laws
and
and
where
you
see
some
potential
in
that
area,.
D
Sure
we
have
tons
of
examples.
I
I've
been
doing
a
lot
of
the
talking,
but
I
really
do
want
to
shout
out
that
the
the
team
is
here.
I
see
just
on
my
screen.
Nadia,
I
think
katya
is
available
as
well.
Nadia
is
a
senior
policy
advisor
with
odap.
Who
really
is
our
lead
within
the
agency
for
the
seed
work
and-
and
I
would
invite
her
to
share-
maybe
an
example
of
two
or
two
of
some
of
the
work
that
we're
doing
in
seed
around
around
the
nation.
C
We
we
are
working
with
women
legislators
in
tennessee,
for
example,
center
of
becky
massey.
We've
worked
with
her
over
the
last
several
years
to
ensure
that
transportation,
for
example,
is
a
major
issue
for
people
with
disabilities,
as
it
relates
to
employment,
so
they
established
an
office
in
tennessee,
specifically
devoted
to
ensuring
accessibility
of
transportation,
and
it's
one
of
the
first
in
the
nation.
D
It
includes
considering
policies,
workplace
policies
like
family
medical
leave,
and
so
we
really
do
take
a
broad
perspective
when
we're
thinking
about
the
systems
and
the
policy
agendas
that
we're
we're
seeking
to
influence,
because
we
know
it
can
really
touch
any
part
of
an
individual's
life
and
make
the
difference
with
their
workplace.
Success.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
that
was
really
interesting
and
megan.
I
was
wondering
if
you
had
any
examples
of
initiatives,
policies
that
were
started
by
women
that
we
that
have
really
stood
the
test
of
time
and
made
a
difference.
You
know
the
fact
that
there
were
women
in
the
state
house
really
made
a
difference
for
those
policies.
B
I
can't
off
the
top
of
my
head.
Think
of
so
sorry,
but
I
mean
you
really
saw
the
rise
of
women
in
the
workforce
issues.
Labor
protections,
you
know
the
the
the
laundry
girl
bill
that
representative
froelich
told
us
about
you
know
was
very
much.
You
know
there
were
young
girls
there
that
that
today
we
wouldn't
appreciate
seeing
in
a
working
environment,
but
it
was
to
protect
them
and
would
go
on
to
you
know,
help
bolster
the
fight
that
happened.
You
know
to
limit
child
labor,
and
things
like
that.
B
I
think
kind
of
a
great
thing
about
esther
hobart
morris.
The
first
justice
of
the
piece
is
that
she
had
no
formal
legal
training
whatsoever
when
she
was
put
in
the
position
of
the
first
woman
justice
of
the
peace,
but
none
of
her
rulings
were
ever
appeal
or
never
overturned
when
they
were
appealed,
or
anything
like
that.
A
A
Us
thank
you
so
before
we
adjourn,
I
would
like
to
have
some
interaction
by
using
the
chat
function
or
raising
your
hand,
we
hope
to
share
some
fun
historical
facts
about
women
in
your
legislature
or
please
share
if
you
have
a
first.
If
you
are
the
first
in
a
role
in
your
state,
I'll
start
with
the
fact
about
wisconsin,
we
were
the
first
state
to
ratify
the
19th
amendment,
so
we
celebrated
women's
suffrage,
starting
in
2019.,
also
a
fact
about
ncsl
officers.