Honoring Women in the Workplace on International Women’s Day

This March, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the invaluable contributions of women in every industry, workplace, and union across the country. Women have long been the backbone of our workforce, driving innovation, leadership, and economic strength, despite ongoing challenges and systemic barriers. As of May 2024, women make up over 57% of the United States workforce, demonstrating the increasing presence and influence of women across all industries.

From the factory floor to the boardroom, from classrooms to construction sites, women make up an essential part of our economy, society, and the labor movement. Yet, even in 2025, professional working women continue to face discrimination, pay gaps, and attacks on their rights—issues that SLOCEA and unions across the county, fight tirelessly to address. This year, it’s important that we not only celebrate women’s achievements but also stand in solidarity against forces which seek to diminish their voices.

The Federal Government’s Attempts to Silence Women

In recent months, we have witnessed troubling moves from the federal government aimed at curbing the power of working women. Suggested legislation and executive actions are being pushed that would weaken protections against workplace discrimination, limit collective bargaining rights, and make it harder for workers to organize and demand fair treatment. These efforts disproportionately impact women, particularly those in public service, healthcare, and education—sectors where women make up the majority of the workforce.

Attempts to roll back workplace protections under the guise of economic flexibility or deregulation are direct attacks on the rights of working women. Policies restricting union influence or undermining labor protections do not promote fairness—they reinforce existing inequalities. We must call out these actions for what they are: an effort to strip professional women of their hard-earned rights and silence their advocacy for fair working conditions.

In response to the federal government’s recent order to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland chose to cover plaques honoring women and people of color who served in the National Security Agency (NSA). These plaques recognized the invaluable work of these individuals in national security and intelligence, highlighting their often-overlooked contributions to the field. The decision to obscure these tributes justly sparked outrage among historians, advocates, and former employees who understand it as part of a broader pattern of diminishing the roles of women and marginalized groups in critical industries. This act serves as a stark reminder that even in modern times, the fight to preserve and acknowledge the achievements of women in the workforce remains ongoing. It is vital that we stand firmly against such erasure and continue to advocate for the recognition and respect that all workers—especially those who have historically been sidelined—deserve.

SLOCEA’s Commitment to Equal Rights

On this International Women’s Day, it is imperative to reaffirm our commitment to fighting for the rights of working women. We stand strong in advocating for pay equity, stronger workplace protections, and an end to discriminatory practices. It is also important that we amplify women’s voices within our own movement. Women make up a significant portion of our membership, our Board of Directors, and SLOCEA’s own workforce, and this leadership is critical to shaping the policies and priorities that affect public employees in SLO County. 

Take Action and Stand Together

International Women’s Day is not just a day of recognition—it is a call to action. We urge all our members to stand in solidarity with their female colleagues, challenge workplace discrimination wherever it exists, and demand that policymakers preserve the rights of working women. 

The fight for women’s rights is a fight for all workers. When we lift up women in the workplace, we lift up everyone. Our strength is in our unity, and together, we will continue to break barriers, challenge injustice, and build a more equitable future for all.

Brooke Daphne

Labor Representative II