This report summarizes the policy research symposium
convened by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research
and the Wellesley Centers for Women, held in Washington,
DC on April 2, 2009. The symposium highlighted
four policy areas in which public policy can work to improve
the status of women in the United States: women
and economic recovery; retirement, social security and
aging; quality early care and education; and women
and health care reform. The symposium also featured
a luncheon keynote address from Secretary of Labor
Hilda Solis, as well as an opening keynote from Congresswoman
Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, a closing
keynote from Deputy Assistant to the President of the
United States and Executive Director of the White House
Council on Women and Girls Tina Tchen, and a reception
keynote from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of
New York.