These are still undervalued by society and pay less, with worse benefits than male-dominated professions, like the coal-mining jobs that are disappearing.

This problem is multifaceted, as are the solutions. But thankfully this year Kentucky passed the Pregnant Workers Act, which will ensure that women in the state, especially those in physically strenuous health care jobs who become pregnant, will not have to sacrifice their paycheck to stay healthy and employed.

We need stronger legal protections for working families so that every woman who wants or needs to work is able to. As an immediate first step, we need the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act for every woman across the country.

Elizabeth Gedmark

Nashville

The writer is senior staff attorney and director of the Southern Office at A Better Balance: The Work & Family Legal Center.