On Tax Day, it’s easy to draw a simple conclusion: women often pay less in income taxes than men. But that’s not the full story.
Women pay less because they earn less—the result of persistent wage gaps that limit long-term financial security.
And beyond income taxes, the reality is even clearer. From the “pink tax” on everyday goods to higher costs on products marketed to women, and even taxes on essential items like menstrual products, women often pay more in the overall cost of living.
So while women may appear to pay less on paper, in practice they’re carrying a heavier financial burden every day.
These inequities are shaped by policy and by who is at the table making those decisions. That’s where Emerge comes in.
Emerge is building a pipeline of Democratic women leaders who are already influencing tax policy at every level. In Congress, Emerge alums have supported efforts to expand the Child Tax Credit, protect tax relief for working families, and oppose tax policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
At the state level, that impact is even more direct. In New Mexico, RepresentativeCindy Nava has helped advance economic packages that include tax credits for low-income and working families—part of a broader shift toward one of the most equitable tax structures in the country. In Virginia, Delegate Adele McClure has been part of legislative efforts focused on tax fairness and on ensuring public investments are funded in ways that work for working families.
This is what it looks like when women lead: tax policy that reflects real lives—and real costs.
But building that kind of leadership pipeline takes investment.
This Tax Day, will you help us train and support the next generation of women leaders?
Because when women lead, policy changes—and so do outcomes.
Thank you for being part of this work,
Ashley
Emerge America
www.emergeamerica.org
4 Embarcadero Center
Suite 1400
San Francisco, CA 94111
United States