Today is Equal Pay Day
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 is Equal Pay Day
What is Equal Pay Day?
Equal Pay Day, originally called “National Pay Inequity Awareness Day,” was organized by the National Committee on Pay Equity in 1996 to acknowledge the disparity between women and men’s earnings. The date of Equal Pay Day changes each year and symbolizes the length of time into a new year women must work to earn the amount that men have earned in the previous year. Additionally, the day in the week is also selected to signify how long into the week women must work to earn what men have earned in the previous week. Currently, on average a woman earns approximately 82 cents to every dollar that is earned by a man, resulting in a pay gap of over $10,000 a year.
Earnings among women also vary based on race and the following days bring awareness to the pay disparities that are prevalent in different communities:
Asian Women’s Equal Pay Day: March 9 – 87 Cents
Black Women’s Equal Pay Day: August 3 – 63 Cents
Native Women’s Equal Pay Day: September 8 – 60 Cents
Latina Equal Pay Day: October 2 – 55 Cents
What can you do to support?
The Paycheck Fairness Act was introduced to the House of Representatives on January 28, 2021. It would amend and strengthen The Equal Pay Act of 1963 and help with closing the gender pay gap. It would mitigate employer loopholes that may justify pay inequities, prevent employer retaliation and usage of salary history to set wages, and assist with creating feasible remedies for people who have experienced discrimination.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has provided a two-minute activist opportunity for people to ask Congress to support the passing of The Paycheck Fairness Act.
Utilize the Two-Minute Activist online form to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
On-Campus Resources
The Career Center offers women resources and advice to help guide them in their career development and within the workplace. Learn more about the Career Center’s online resources for women.
Categorised in: Students
This post was written by Rixham, Judith R.