The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill

Minimum Wage Increase is Crucial for Women

by Md. Dem. Sen. Barbara Mikulski - 01/25/07 2:45 PM ET

Two-thirds of all minimum wage workers are women – that’s 7 million
women nationwide and more than 100,000 in Maryland. Women already go
into the workplace earning less, working in industries that are often
without unions and other workplace protections. Many women are single
mothers trying to support their children. We must pass this legislation
to give these women and their families a chance.

For too long, Americans have been working longer and harder, only to
see their paychecks get smaller and smaller. Our working families are
stressed and stretched. Families in my state of Maryland are worried –
many are holding down more than one job just to make ends meet. A
full-time job should not be full-time poverty.

Since I first came to Congress, my economic mission has been simple –
to help those who are in the middle class stay there or do better, and
to give those who are not in the middle class the chance to get there.
I know that to some people, this increase may not seem like much. But
even a small increase like this one will mean a significant difference
in the lives of many hardworking Americans.