Ricardo Torres-Cortez | Las Vegas Review-Journal (TNS) Latina workers are “powering” the United States’ post-pandemic economic recovery, according to Julie Su, the acting U.S. Secretary of Labor.
Su spoke to a packed Strip resort ballroom Tuesday during the UnidosUS annual convention’s “Latinas Luncheon,” which was also addressed by U.S. Rep.
Susie Lee, D-Nev. The officials amplified stories of trailblazing Latinas in an event designed to celebrate their contributions. Su also highlighted President Joe Biden’s labor agenda that’s included nearly 16 million new jobs created during his administration.
Biden is scheduled to address the nonpartisan UnidosUS gathering Wednesday, a day after he gave a stump speech at the NAACP’s 115th National Conference in Las Vegas. Su said Latina workers were especially economically hampered during the height of the pandemic, when the demographic’s unemployment rate hovered above 20 percent, more than 5 percent above the already-high national figure. That’s changed, according to Su.
“Latinas have not just share the economic growth,” she said. “Latinas have been the ones powering it.” Su said that women overall have entered the job market at a record pace in 2023 and the first half of 2024.
“The record-setting rates for women have been powered by women of color,” Su said. “Latinas are doing especially well, with their earnings growing at double the rate of women overall.” Su shared her “origin” story.
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