Women’s History Month

WITNESSED A REMARKABLE CELEBRATION OF WOMEN LEADERS IN THE FRONT RANGE| Representative Yadira Caraveo was a panelist at the Adelante Latina Convention at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Colorado. (Picture/Congressional Office Distric 8 Colorado).

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Women: Agents of Change and Resilience

When I think of Women’s History Month, I think of all the great women who’ve impacted my life. My mother, sister, sisters in law, cousins, niece, community leaders, my colleagues at the clinic, and the fellow Congresswomen who I have the pleasure to work with.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I’m thinking of the resilience of Colorado’s women, whose stories have shaped the communities we live in and created a better life for future generations.

From the fearless suffragists who secured our right to vote, to the innovative entrepreneurs, leaders, and small business owners who strengthen our local economy and collectively lead the future for Colorado families.

I recently attended the Adelante Latina Convention, a remarkable celebration of women leaders in the Front Range to speak about my work in Congress representing Latinas.

As a woman, as a fellow Coloradan, and as the first Latina doctor in Congress, I am committed to defending women’s rights and securing the future for new generations of Colorado women to lead the way with conviction and resilience.

But words of praise aren’t enough – hardworking women rightfully demand action from their public officials, and I’m proud to report that I am taking action every day to support Colorado women and working families. I am happy to share with you some of my recent efforts in Congress to support women here in Colorado and across the nation.

For all the women whose reproductive freedom and access to reproductive care has been threatened by extremist judges.

I introduced the Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support Services (ACCESS) Act of 2024. This bill will establish a grant program that increases capacity to provide abortion services and other reproductive health care services for millions of women nationwide. This bill will strengthen the capacity of Colorado’s abortion clinics, which became the nearest providers for about 1.2 million women across the mountain west (Guttmacher Institute). While some seek to roll back women’s rights, I’m focused on protecting and expanding women’s rights.

For all the women who are small business owners, who work hard to put food on their families tables and make ends meet.

I introduced the bipartisan Prove it Act to defend small businesses’ time and money from government overreach and burdensome regulation. You work hard to earn a living. The government should be there to make your life easier, not harder. I’ll always be an independent voice for our community who will stand up to both parties when they want to infringe on your ability to run your business.

Women’s History Month

For all the senior women on fixed incomes who are struggling to keep up with rising costs.

I am a proud co-sponsor of the You Earned it, You Keep it Act, which will eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits. This will put money back in the pockets of Colorado’s nearly 916,000 Social Security beneficiaries (SSA.gov). Your Social Security benefits aren’t a privilege, they’re a right. You earned them. It’s time to ax the federal tax on Social Security benefits.

For all the mothers who’ve lost a son or daughter, a friend or acquaintance to dangerous drugs and drug-related violence.

I am determined to put an end to the drug overdose epidemic. In fact, the first law I passed — the TRANQ Research Act — addresses this very issue. The Front Range and communities across the nation have faced tragic deaths to opioid overdose, fentanyl poisoning, and drug-related violence. Unfortunately, new drugs such as xylazine (also known as “tranq”) are finding their way into our communities every day. My law will give police the data and information they need to combat the distribution of tranq and other deadly substances before they tear through our communities.

For the mothers who are facing soaring childcare costs.

I am a cosponsor of the Child Care Stabilization Act, which would provide $16 billion in mandatory funding each year for the next five years to continue the successful Child Care Stabilization Grant program.

This Women’s History Month, I encourage you to take time to reflect upon and thank the women who’ve impacted your life.

Whether it’s your mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, mentor, teacher, or someone else, all of us have been shaped by women who’ve worked hard to support our success and help us become the people we are today.