News and Events

Celebrating Mothers, Supporting Families

Posted on May 13, 2013 at 3:00 PM EDT

Mother’s Day is the time we show our mothers and grandmothers how much we appreciate them and the sacrifices they made to take care of us. Most of us had no idea growing up what it took for our parents and other caregivers to balance family, work and life responsibilities. Read more ...

Closing the Equal Pay Gap: 50 Years and Counting

Posted on April 9, 2013 at 11:04 AM EDT

Today, April 9, represents the day in 2013 that women finally make up the difference in wages paid to their male counterparts during 2012. That’s right: Women have to work almost four more months than men in the same jobs to bring home the same amount of income. Read more ...

Gender and Pay Equality: Join the Conversation

Posted on April 9, 2013 at 9:15 AM EDT

This year, Equal Pay Day is Tuesday, April 9. As part of the larger conversation about gender pay equality taking place this week, we’ll be hosting an equal pay Web chat this Friday, April 12, at 1 p.m. EDT. Read more ...

By Women and for Women

Posted on February 25, 2013 at 1:30 PM EDT

Approximately 50 community, education and government representatives participated in the Women's Bureau's Feb. 12 roundtable in Austin, Texas. Program analyst Dolores Bischof opened the program with a discussion on sustainable green jobs, workplace flexibility and trauma informed care to help homeless women veterans. The roundtable also included a breakout session about supplemental services to empower working women veterans. The panel included representatives from the Women's Bureau, Texas Women Veterans, Austin Community College, and other local veteran organizations.

Championing Equal Pay

Posted on February 25, 2013 at 10:42 AM EDT

During a recent event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, the Women's Bureau joined other federal agencies to share information on the impact of unequal pay on the lives and finances of women. Women's Bureau Program Analyst Deborah Pascal told the audience, "When women are not paid the same amount as men it affects the entire family, from the ability to put food on the table to educating their children, as well as negative cumulative effects on her lifetime earnings and retirement benefits." Other agencies participating in the Chicago Foundation for Women Equal Pay Roundtable included the department's Wage and Hour Division, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Learn About Equal Pay for Women ›

Black History/Our History: A Trailblazer in the Women's Bureau

Posted on February 15, 2013 at 11:39 AM EDT

Elizabeth Duncan Koontz was the first black president of the National Education Association and the first African-American director of the department's Women's Bureau. She served from 1969 to 1973, in the administration of President Nixon, and was at that time the highest-ranking black woman in government. Although raised in the segregated South, her upbringing centered around educational achievement. She became a national figure in 1967 when the National Education Association elected her president. As head of the Women's Bureau, she stood up for equal rights and opportunities for blacks, women and the working poor, and was a vocal advocate for equal pay.