New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is a champion of women's rights. Among her many achievements, she has helped pass legislation to prevent sex trafficking as well as a bill providing annual mammograms for women on Medicare. She also authored the Debbie Smith bill, often cited as the most important anti-rape legislation ever. (The story of this bill's passing was made into the Lifetime movie, "A Life Interrupted: The Debbie Smith Story.") This election season, she shares her thoughts with us:

You may have heard the rumors: The glass ceiling has been shattered. Gender discrimination has gone the way of the woolly mammoth. Violence against women is under control... When I hear these rumors, I can't decide whether to laugh or cry!

If women have made so much "progress," why haven't our lives gotten any easier? Why do most American women say they don't get enough sleep and that balancing work and family is getting harder? Why do we make 77 cents to a man's dollar? And why must we still fight to preserve rights — such as educational equality, equal opportunity in the workplace, and even birth control — that seemed secure in the 1970s?

Even though we've talked about these issues for decades, a majority of women still face some type of discrimination, still struggle with workplaces that don't work for families, and still believe that men have greater opportunities than women. In fact, in a new poll, about to be released with my new book, "Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: Why Women's Lives Aren't Getting Any Easier and How We Can Make Real Progress for Ourselves and our Daughter," women report that they believe society overestimates the extent to which women have achieved equality.

But despite the disturbing news, I am still optimistic. I believe that women can and will continue make real progress. In my book, I offer women actionable steps — large and small — to make progress in their own lives and in our nation. I tell inspiring stories of women CEOs, movie stars, and ordinary women who have heroically reformed "the system." And, I give women dozens of ideas about how they can get ahead in their own lives, as well as get involved with great organizations that will help other women.

I have seen firsthand what the women of Lifetime Television can do to make change. Lifetime executives and viewers alike helped me to pass the Debbie Smith Bill to help put rapists behind bars, and helped me and my colleague Debra Pryce pass the End Demand In Sex Trafficking bill. I hope you'll join me in our continued work on behalf of women and girls because I have no doubt that the power of women resolved to make a difference is one thing that can never be exaggerated!

For more information on Congresswoman Maloney and her efforts, visit www.rumorsofourprogress.com. Click here to buy the book "Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: Why Women's Lives Aren't Getting Any Easier and How We Can Make Real Progress for Ourselves and our Daughter."

What do you do to further women's rights? What kind of world do you envision for your daughter?