Pressley urges Fed chair to address Black women's Unemployment as the figure rises. The Massachusetts congresswoman said Black women’s employment is a “key metric of the health of the U.S. economy.

Movement family, my mother — like many Black women in this country — was often the last hired and the first fired.

We see that pattern playing out right now, in this unprecedented moment where Trump’s mass layoffs and attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion are pushing Black women out of the workforce: Black women’s unemployment is the highest it’s been in 4 years at 6.7%, compared to the overall unemployment rate of 4.3%.

When the rest of the country gets a cold, Black folks get pneumonia. The loss of so many Black women in the workforce is a glaring red flag and an indicator of overall health of our economy.

That’s why I am demanding Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell do his job and take immediate action to uphold the Fed's statutory mandate to promote maximum employment for all, including addressing the increasingly high unemployment rates of Black women.

This is a discriminate harm. It is precise and it is targeted, and it will eventually come for everyone. Add your name and join me in calling on the Federal Reserve to address the alarming spike in unemployment for Black women.

Throughout history, Black women have truly been the canary in the coal mine. We’re an indicator of what is to come. This is a glaring red flag for our economy and damning evidence of Donald Trump’s irresponsible and chaotic economic policies.

He is shamefully harming our economy by causing our workforce to lose the wealth of knowledge, innovation, and skills that Black women contribute every day.

Right now, I’m thinking of the Black women in my district who have shared with me that they’ve been laid off. I’m thinking of the Black women in research, housing, health care and Head Start. I’m thinking of Governor Lisa Cook and all the Black women leaders who have been deliberately targeted by Trump. I’m also thinking a great deal about the indignities that my mother endured as a Black woman for much of her life in the workplace — and how so many women today are facing the same.

Sign on to join me in demanding that the Federal Reserve uphold their statutory mandate and promote maximum employment for everyone — including Black women who are being disproportionately harmed right now.

In solidarity,

Ayanna