Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) met with Latina Senate staffers to discuss the importance of increasing workforce diversity and ensuring equal pay for equal work throughout the country. The roundtable discussion served as a unique opportunity for Senator Cortez Masto to talk about the obstacles women face throughout their careers in Senate offices and learn about their ideas to help correct the lack of diversity on Capitol Hill. Senator Cortez Masto and the attendees highlighted the need for succession planning by partnering with organizations to ensure women and students of color have access to internship and employment opportunities in Congress.

“Women, especially women of color, continue to be underrepresented in the Senate, boardrooms, and businesses across the country,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Despite this underrepresentation, women also have to face the stark reality that they earn less than men in similar occupations. The lack of sufficient federal paid family leave causes undue hardship for countless women and families. This is unacceptable. We must continue to fight for higher representation of women in all professions and wage equality regardless of religion, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. In addition, paid family leave should not be a luxury, but a guarantee. There are no excuses for these unjust practices and I will continue to fight for women everywhere.”

“It was an honor to have this opportunity to share our stories with the first Latina senator in U.S. history,” said Monica Garcia, an attendee of the event. “Senator Cortez Masto has broken the glass ceiling for Latinas in Congress, and she will no doubt inspire a new generation of women and girls to become engaged in politics. I am grateful that she’s taken a special interest in expanding opportunities for talented young Latinos on the Hill.”

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