by SER National | Feb 27, 2026 | News & Updates
RECOGNIZING WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA’S ECONOMIC STRENGTH
In observance of Women’s History Month 2026, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates recognize the measurable and vital impact women have on the strength, resilience, and global competitiveness of the United States economy.
“Women are indispensable to the economic vitality of the United States,” said Ignacio Salazar, SER National President and CEO. “From small business ownership to corporate leadership to skilled trades, women are strengthening our labor force and driving innovation. At SER, we witness firsthand how access to training and opportunity translates into measurable economic growth.”
Women represent nearly 47 percent of the U.S. labor force, with more than 77 million women active across every major sector of the economy, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women are also leading. They own more than 12 million businesses nationwide, generating nearly $2 trillion in annual revenue. In corporate leadership, women now hold approximately one in four C-suite positions and nearly 30 percent of board seats among S&P 500 companies — the highest representation in history.
“When women gain the skills and credentials needed for today’s competitive economy, families become more secure, communities become more stable, and our nation becomes more competitive,” Salazar said. “Workforce development is one of the most powerful economic tools we have, and ensuring women have full access to that pipeline is both smart policy and sound economics.”
Through a national network serving more than 1 million program participants annually, SER National and its affiliates provide workforce development, adult education, youth employment, and career placement services that expand economic mobility for women at every stage of life. These programs support women entering the workforce, transitioning careers, reentering after time away, or launching their own businesses.
Salazar adds that investing in women’s workforce participation is not symbolic. That investment is strategic. “While progress is evident, continued collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors is essential to sustain momentum,” he states. “Strengthening access to high-quality training programs, apprenticeships, digital skills, small business capital, and supportive services will ensure women can continue expanding their leadership across industries,” says Salazar.
SER National invites Americans to join in building a workforce culture rooted in performance, opportunity, and shared prosperity — one in which women’s contributions continue to power a stronger, more vibrant United States economy. For more information on SER National’s programs and services, visit www.ser-national.org.
by SER National | Feb 15, 2026 | News & Updates
REAFFIRMING AMERICA’S ENDURING VALUES OF LEADERSHIP, VISION, AND FREEDOM
On Presidents Day, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates join the nation in honoring the strength, leadership, and vision that have defined the United States across generations. From the country’s founding to the present day, these enduring values have been inseparable from freedom, self-determination, and the belief that opportunity should be earned through hard work, skill, and perseverance.
“For generations, Americans have taken pride in building, creating, and sustaining this nation through their own talents and labor,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and Chief Executive Officer of SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. “Presidents’ Day reminds us that leadership is not abstract. It is measured by how well we prepare people to stand on their own, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and to our country.”
Presidents’ Day serves as a reminder that America’s progress has always depended on leadership with vision that invests in people and equips them to meet the demands of a changing economy. Today, that responsibility is more relevant than ever. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70 percent of new jobs through the end of this decade will require education or training beyond a high school diploma, underscoring the critical role of workforce development in sustaining economic growth and individual self-sufficiency.
Each year, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates serve more than one million individuals, delivering job training, education, and workforce pathways that translate ambition into measurable outcomes. These efforts reflect a core American ideal: that freedom is strengthened when people are empowered with skills, credentials, and opportunity.
“As we see ourselves in 2026, the message of Presidents Day is especially clear,” Salazar said. “Visionary leadership requires us to think beyond today and invest in the workforce of tomorrow. At SER, we see our work as part of that American mission, unlocking potential, advancing economic mobility, and helping individuals rise as far as their talent and determination can take them.”
From border to border and shore to shore, SER programs reinforce the connection between leadership, vision, and freedom by preparing individuals for in-demand careers that support a strong and competitive nation. This Presidents’ Day, SER National calls on its staff, partners, and communities to recommit to excellence, accountability, and purpose in all that they do.
Presidents’ Day is not only a moment of reflection but also a call to action and a rededication to the values that have made the United States a nation of builders, innovators, and problem-solvers. “SER National remains committed to that mission, committed to being the best of the best in advancing opportunity, strengthening the workforce, and honoring the ideals that continue to define America,” concludes Salazar.
