That number is up nearly 30 percent since 1960, showing a growing trend of women spending more time in the workplace.

About three-quarters of American adults say the increase in the number of working women has made it harder to raise children, according to Pew. Two-thirds of the households with breadwinning moms are also single parent households, which indicates that more women are shouldering the responsibilities of both parenting and working at the same time.

It’s more important than ever to support working parents. At Equal Rights Advocates, we’ve made the needs of working families a top priority, and have led a groundbreaking effort to end workplace discrimination against parents and caregivers. ERA is proud to co-sponsor California Senate Bill 404, which will add familial status to a list of protected characteristics under state employment and housing laws.

“The Pew study spotlights why ERA’s gender justice work is so critical for families. Equity in pay, fair opportunity for hire and advancement … these aren’t luxuries. We are talking about everyday survival,” said ERA Executive Director Noreen Farrell.

To support the growing group of women who are earning AND nurturing, click here and tell your state representative that you support SB 404. The families that rely on women breadwinners are also depending on their getting paid equally for equal work.  To find out how to join ERA’s Close the Gap campaign to fight pay discrimination, click here.

For more on the Pew study, including more information on increasing numbers of households run by single low-wage earners, click here.

Redmund Sum owns and operates an electronics manufacturer and distributor called Silver Center America in Fremont.

According to one of the plaintiffs, Britanni Brown, Sum routinely made inappropriate sexual comments at work to the discomfort of his two sole female employees. The misconduct escalated though, when Sum groped and fondled Brown in his office, telling her that he had “always wanted” to do that.

ERA Legal Director Jennifer Reisch and Staff Attorney Monali Sheth, who represent the two women, say that such mistreatment of female workers is altogether too common.

“Unfortunately, sexual harassment and assault of women at work has become national epidemic,” said Sheth. “This case highlights the acuity of the problem in male-dominated industries like electronics manufacturing. What our clients have experienced on the job is extremely disturbing, and ERA will continue its advocacy until the workplace is safe and free of harassment for all women.”

To read a copy of the complaint in Brown et al v. Silver Center America, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, click here.

Last week, Jamie appeared as a keynote speaker at the American Association of University Women-Wisconsin‘s annual conference. Next week, she’s off to Rome, Italy to speak at the midyear-meeting of the American Bar Association’s International Labor & Employment Law Committee. There, Jamie will speak a panel that will discuss caregiver discrimination in the workplace and how this issue is being addressed in the United States, Europe, and Canada.

While in Wisconsin, Jamie spoke on the importance of one of ERA’s biggest cases — Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, a class action lawsuit against the retail giant alleging that company executives systematically discriminated against women in pay and promotion, all in the name of saving money. A case like Dukes, Jamie argued in her remarks, is the exact reason for national equal pay reforms. (If you’d like to support ERA’s efforts to close the gender wage gap, you can learn more here.)

While in Italy, Jamie and her other panel members will address the growing barriers faced by mothers (and fathers) in the American workplace. From caregiver discrimination to a lack of access to affordable daycare and an absence of access to paid leave laws, America is becoming an increasingly hostile place to work and raise a family at the same time. For more information on the ABA conference, click here.

The march was packed — we couldn’t have been prouder of and happier for the SFWAR organizers. Along our route, from The Women’s Building on Valencia to La Raza Park at the foot of Potrero Hill, half the streets were blocked off to accommodate some 400 women, men and children who marched together. While we walked, marchers shared stories and thoughts with each other (and the march’s many street-side observers) through dozens of homemade signs and creative chants.

ERA law fellow Ariana Flores noted how many of the signs and conversations between walkers centered around the wrongness of victim-blaming. “Our culture should teach men not to rape, and stop teaching women how not to get raped,” she said. ERA supporter and first-time marcher Sheela Kamath said she was impressed with the diversity of attendees.

“I was happy to not only see younger people, but men and boys walking as well. I was also heartened by all the bystanders who showed their support, either by cheering from the sidewalk, the windows of their homes, or by honking their horns. It made me feel proud to be part of SFWAR’s effort,” she said.

Equal Rights Advocates has long fought to eradicate sexual violence against women. To read about our client Maria, who successfully sued her employer for failing to protect her from assault and harassment at work, click here. To support SFWAR’s future walks or great work for women, visit their website.

Thanks to SFWAR for having us, and for teaching us so much. See you next year!