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(Nov. 19, 2021) — The U.S. House of Representatives just hours ago passed the Build Back Better bill. In it are programs — including paid family and medical leave at the federal level — that the Women and Girls Foundation has been advocating for and working toward for more than a decade.
Below are statements for publication from Arnet about the significance of the Build Back Better bill for women and families and the programs it will make possible. She’s also available for interviews upon request.
● “These programs are crucial for parents to be able to re-enter the workforce in the midst of a continuing global pandemic. They will decrease wage gaps for women and people of color and strengthen the economic security of all working families for generations to come.”
● “More than 2.3 million women were pushed out of the workforce in 2020 because of the pandemic. In order to rebuild our economy, we need to put in place policies that can sustain working families and small businesses in equitable and sustainable ways. Paid family and medical leave, and affordable child care, are key to ensure families can care for one another, remain in the workforce and build economic stability.”
● “We are grateful to the president and Congress for taking leadership on this critical issue to build a caring infrastructure for working families.”
ABOUT HEATHER ARNET
Heather Arnet’s formal resume includes credits that range from writing a documentary about female presidents for PBS to serving as assistant associate producer of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” She’s also ran and served in elected office. As an expert and spokesperson on the advancement of women in politics, she’s made live interview appearances on Fox News, NBC’s “Today Show,” CNN, MSNBC, CBS Nightly News, ABC News, NPR, Huffington Post Live and regional media outlets across Southwestern Pennsylvania. She’s also been published in the Huffington Post, Daily Beast, Pittsburgh Business Times and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. For the last 15 years, she’s served as the CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation. As the organization’s leading spokesperson, she’s regularly interviewed by members of the media as she advocates at local, state and federal levels for paid sick and family leave, minimum wage increase and concerns about how women in the workforce have been impacted by COVID-19. Beyond her work with WGF, Arnet is the co-chair of the Council for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum and is the board chair for the Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership at the University of Pittsburgh’s graduate school for international and public affairs. Arnet’s work has garnered many awards, including recognition as one of the “21 Leaders for a 21st Century” by Women’s Enews and a member of the Women’s Media Center’s distinguished list of “Progressive Women’s Voices.” (A sampling of past media appearances can be viewed online.)
ABOUT THE WOMEN AND GIRLS FOUNDATION
The Women And Girls Foundation (WGF) is a nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, engaged in statewide programming and policy work. The mission of WGF is to achieve equality for women and girls, now and for generations to come. In pursuit of this mission, WGF breaks down barriers so that every girl can rise and every woman can soar. Our vision is for women and girls in Pennsylvania to have equal access, opportunity and influence in all aspects of their public and private lives. (wgfpa.org)
Information provided to TVL by:
WOMEN & GIRLS FOUNDATION
https://wgfpa.org/
