By Chaimae Hadane
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – A small but energetic group of women gathered near the State House on Bladen Street Monday to advocate for reproductive justice and economic security while opposing discrimination and violence against women.
“I hope people will learn more about the breathe of bills and why they are so important and to see that their legislators and advocates are working so hard for them in Annapolis,” said Diana Philip, executive director of NARAL, a 501 organization that promotes abortion rights.
For five years, various groups and organizations have joined for the Women’s Rally to unite legislators and supporters to discuss legislation that protects women’s rights. Standing in front of the Treasury Building, dozens of women cheered and applauded about 25 speakers who called for drastic reforms by the General Assembly.
House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, D-Baltimore County, welcomed the crowd and insisted that although women’s rights are under attack, Maryland is leading the fight to protect women.
“When the federal government planned to cut funding for Planned Parenthood our legislators stepped up and made Maryland the first state to pass legislation to protect Planned Parenthood’s funding,” said Jones, the first female and African-American Speaker of the House.
Andrea Johnson, director of state policy at the National Women’s Law Center, touted the merits of a salary history bill, which is equal pay legislation that would guarantee Marylanders would not be required to carry wage gaps.
“Thirteen states have now passed legislation prohibiting employers from relying on salary history and this is just in the last few years,” Johnson said.
Agreeing with Johnson was Kate Campbell Stevenson of the American Association of University Women who stressed the need to get the legislation passed.
“Relying on salary history hurts women!” said Stevenson, “women who had to reduce their hours or leave their prior jobs to care for children or family members or who work for nonprofits like my daughter today or who’s prior salary consistently doesn’t reflect their current qualifications.”
Erin Prangley, an AAUW supporter, discussed how salary history has affected her life.
“As an older worker, it was a little bit intimidating because I was putting down a salary that might seem a little high for the jobs I was applying for,” Prangley explained.
“There was one interview where I was asked about my history and I ended up telling him my salary and that’s where he said that’s a lot more than what we are paying so you probably won’t want this job,” she said.
As the rally began to wind down, women and supporters were left with a message of reassurance that together as women they would be able to accomplish the most difficult of tasks.
“Every great movement towards progress in this country began with warrior women just like yourselves,” said Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
“Tonight we’re here to do what women have always done, which is to lead!” she said.