“Our country lost a pioneer for women’s rights and health, and for all working families, when Congresswoman Louise Slaughter passed away early this morning. During her more than 30 years in Congress, Slaughter was a passionate, powerful, tremendously effective champion for fairness, justice, equality for all, and for this country’s women and families.

Rep. Slaughter had a quick wit, a piercing intellect, unshakeable integrity and a deep commitment to protecting women’s autonomy and dignity. She spoke up for what she believed in and never shied away from a fight. Anytime opponents tried to deny or roll back women’s rights, she spoke up and fought back. She was a founding member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, a co-author of the original Violence Against Women Act, and the first woman to chair the House Rules Committee. She was instrumental in winning passage of the Affordable Care Act – the greatest advance for women’s health in a generation.

At the National Partnership for Women & Families, we were proud to fight beside her on all those issues, as well as winning passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Louise Slaughter has been an inspiration to generations of women. She made this country a better place. She will never be forgotten.”