I was shocked and saddened when I saw the new poverty data from the U.S. Census that was released earlier this week. The Census data analysis revealed serious declines in women's economic status, including the highest poverty rates in 17 years for women, as well as the highest extreme poverty rates ever recorded for women. These shocking and troubling trend rates make it abundantly clear that it's time to come together to both fight attacks on women's economic and health security, as well as to help rebuild our nation's economy.

What does this mean for us, for our families and communities? We need to urge decision-makers to keep focused on the positive impacts that passing a jobs bill will have on women and families. Focusing on women and job opportunities is critically important to stimulating the engine of our economy as a whole. Women comprise half of the entire paid labor force for the first time in history, yet their wages have remained stagnant, poverty rates have skyrocketed, and the number of women who don't have health insurance has soared. In order to have a healthy economy and nation, we need to address the rising poverty that women and families are facing. After all, our nation didn't become strong by putting women and families last.

With this blog carnival we will focus on how to turn the economy around, and with #HERvotes we will mobilize voters to create a more economically stable and healthier future for ourselves, our children, and our country.

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Rebounding from a “Mancession,” Remembering the Ladies, Bettina Hager, National Women's Political Caucus

President’s Job Plan Benefits Women, Eleanor Smeal, Ms. Magazine

We Need Jobs and a Voice on the Job, Jenya Cassidy, Labor Project for Working Families

Top 5 Tips for Working and Breastfeeding, Bettina Forbes, Best for Babes

Living on a prayer? Latinas need jobs and the ability to live with dignity, Anjela Jenkins, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

The Care Crisis, Premilla Nadasen, Ms. Magazine

More Women Face Unemployment as Public Sector Jobs are Targeted, Rachel Sandler, NOW

The Old Boys’ Club Still Meets on the Golf Course, Holly Derr, Ms. Magazine

The Wage Gap: Women Still Make Less Than Men, Tanya Senanayake, National Women's Law Center

HERvotes Blog Carnival: Women Must Speak Up for Their Jobs, Sherry Saunders, Business and Professional Women's Foundation

Where are the jobs for recent graduates?, Kendra McCormick, National Council of Women's Organizations

Women, Jobs and the Republican Drive to Cut Back Government, Elizabeth Clark, WNDC

Women Must Be a Part of Our Recovery, Linda Hallman, AAUW

Where's the women's opportunity?, Amy Williams, Ms. magazine

Female Veterans and the American Jobs Act, National Association of Social Workers

President’s Plan Won’t Leave Women Behind the Way the Recovery Has, Sam Syverson, National Women's Law Center

"Do you mind taking a short detour so I can vote?", Emily Alfano, National Council of Jewish Women

More Women are in Poverty Than Ever – Tell Congress to Act on President's Jobs Plan, Joan Entmacher, National Women's Law Center

Unions Provide the Route for a Secure Future to Women and Their Families, Carol Rosenblatt, Coalition for Labor Union Women