READOUT: US Department of Labor, Cornell University co-host ‘Equity in Focus Summit’ in Washington

WASHINGTON – At the “Equity in Focus Summit” at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, speakers and panelists discussed the importance of gender and racial equity in policymaking and workforce development. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022.

Co-hosted by the department’s Women’s Bureau and the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the event featured remarks by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su and the department’s Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler offered pre-recorded remarks.

Discussions focused on promising policies and programs in use at the national, regional, state and local levels. Participants included representatives from the private sector, unions, local government, workers and other stakeholders who shared strategies on how to use federal funds to increase job quality and advance equity for women and communities of color. 

“Working women deserve good jobs, a prosperous career and the ability to support and care for their families,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “When women are given a chance – including to do work traditionally occupied by men – it is not only good for women, it is good for everyone. Equity and excellence go hand in hand.”

The discussion also highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which will emphasize gender and racial equality in job creation in trades and industries.

“The historic investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, broadband and clean energy will create high-quality union jobs,” said Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. “We must seize this moment to use these investments to create greater gender and racial equity for all of our nation’s workers.”