Women’s History Month
Women's History Month, which is observed annually in the United States throughout the month of March, and in recognition of International Women's Day on March 8
women's history month
Today, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Javier Becerra released the following statement in honor of Women's History Month, which is observed annually in the United States throughout the month of March, and in recognition of International Women's Day on March 8, 2023:
“From doctors to nurses to social workers and early childhood educators, women are often the backbone of our health and human service systems. And this month, we celebrate the work they do to ensure these systems are operating at peak levels.
“Beyond our health and human services systems, women are also often the backbone of our communities — leading the day-to-day care of family, friends, and neighbors while bearing the burden of parenting, child care costs, and the scourge of sexism, including pay disparity.
“Women also struggle with losing their constitutional right to abortion care. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with women and girls across the country as we work to restore access to reproductive health care for all. Today, 50 years after Roe v. Wade, our daughters have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers.
"At HHS, we know that the only way to improve the health and well-being of all Americans is to eliminate the racial, gender, and economic barriers that make it difficult for women and girls especially women and girls of color to access health care.
“That's why we've invested billions of dollars in expanding access to care, reducing health care costs, and reducing disparities – whether the issue is maternal health, behavioral health, reproductive health, foster care, or domestic violence.
“The work we do at HHS is critically important and so is who is leading that work. From day one, it has been important to me that HHS looks like this country. So, when I look across the conference room table and see the many women in leadership positions across the department—or when I meet the next generation of women leaders at HHS—I know we are truly fulfilling our mission.
“I am an incredible woman and doctor's husband. I am the father of three incredible daughters. And I'm the Secretary of Health and Human Services for this incredible country. And no matter what hat I'm wearing, you can always count on me to be a vocal champion for women both during Women's History Month and the other eleven months of the year.
