WASHINGTON, DC In this weeks address, the President highlighted the progress our economy is making, and the commonsense policies that could make it even stronger by ensuring that everyone who works hard has the opportunity to get ahead, especially women and working families. This commitment has been a core part of the Presidents Year of Action and a priority since the start of his administration, which is why he has put forth a range of policies that would help women and working families get ahead, from raising the minimum wage, to ensuring equal pay for equal work, to increasing access to high-quality child care and paid family leave. This weeks address follows remarks the President delivered on Friday at Rhode Island College, where he discussed the importance of harnessing our economys momentum by making policy choices that will help women and all working parents fully participate in and contribute to our economy.

The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, November 1, 2014.

Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address The White House November 1, 2014

Hi, everybody. On Friday, I had a discussion with working women in Rhode Island about the economic challenges they face in their own lives -- challenges shared by many of you.

Thanks to the work weve all put in, our economy has come a long way these past six years.Over the past 55 months, our businesses have added 10.3 million new jobs. For the first time in six years, the unemployment rate is below 6 percent.And on Thursday, we learned that over the past six months, our economy has grown at its fastest pace since 2003.

But the gains of a growing economy arent yet felt by everyone.So weve got to harness this momentum, and make the right choices so that everyone who works hard can get ahead.

In recent weeks, Ive talked about these choices, from raising the minimum wage to creating new jobs in construction and manufacturing.Today, I want to focus on what I discussed with those women -- the choices we need to make to help more women get ahead in todays economy.

Right now, women make up almost half ofour workers.More women are their familys main breadwinner than ever before.So the simple truth is, when women succeed, America succeeds.And we should be choosing policies that benefit women -- because that benefits all of us.

Women deserve fair pay.Even though its 2014, there are women still earning less than men for doing the same work.We dont have second-class citizens in this country -- we shouldnt in the workplace, either. So lets make sure women earn equal pay for equal work, and have a fair shot at success.

Women deserve to be able to take time off to care for a new baby, an ailing parent, or take a sick day for themselves without running into hardship.So lets make sure all Americans have access to paid family leave.

Pregnant workers deserve to be treated fairly.Even today, women can be fired for taking too many bathroom breaks, or forced on unpaid leave just for being pregnant.Thats wrong -- and we have to choose policies that ensure pregnant workers are treated with dignity and respect.

New parents deserve quality, affordable childcare.Theres nothing like the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your kids are safe while youre at work.And the benefits that children get out of early enrichment can pay off for a lifetime.But in many states, sending your kid to daycare costs more than sending them to a public university.So lets start demanding Pre-K for our kids.

And when most low-wage workers are women, but Congress hasnt passed a minimum wage increase in seven years, its long past time that women deserve a raise.About 28 million workers would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage to ten dollars and ten centsan hour.And more than half of those workers are women.The local businesses where these workers spend their money would benefit, too.So lets do this -- lets give America a raise.

All of these policies are common sense.All of them are within our reach.Weve just got to speak up and choose them.Because theyll build a stronger America for all of us.

Thanks, and have a great weekend.