Overall, women working full-time, year-round are paid just 84 cents for every dollar paid to men and all earners (including part-time and seasonal) are paid just 77 cents for every dollar, according to the American Association of University Women (AAUW). But that doesn’t paint the full picture. 

The pay gap varies significantly among different communities, particularly for women of color and mothers. For example, this year:

• Black Women’s Equal Pay Day is July 27, meaning Black women working full-time, year-round are paid 67 cents and all earners (including part-time and seasonal) are paid 64 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men. 
• Moms’ Equal Pay Day is August 15, meaning moms working full-time, year-round are paid 74 cents and all earners (including part-time and seasonal) are paid 62 cents for every dollar paid to dads. 
• Latina Women’s Equal Pay Day is October 5, meaning Latina women working full-time, year-round are paid 57 cents and all earners (including part-time and seasonal) are paid 54 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men. 
• Native Women’s Equal Pay Day is November 30, meaning Native women working full-time, year-round are paid 57 cents and all earners (including part-time and seasonal) are paid 51 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men.

These gaps are unacceptable and we believe that economic empowerment is women’s empowerment. We have solutions to help solve pay inequity in our communities and it is beyond time that we implement them. Here are some ways you can support equal pay efforts:

• Educate yourself on the gender pay gap! The American Association of University Women (AAUW)’s research is a great place to start.
• Mark your calendar with the other pay days so you advocate for pay equity for ALL WOMEN throughout this year.
• Call your legislators and ask them to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which will break these harmful patterns of pay discrimination and strengthen workplace protections for women.
• Support efforts in your community and workplace for pay transparency, which according to studies, has been shown to reduce pay gaps and promote pay equity. 
• Hear our advocacy calls for universal paid family, medical and sick leave, expanded access to affordable child care, and safety for all women. You can learn more about YWCA’s advocacy agenda here.
• Support our food pantry, clothing closet, and Women’s History Month period products donation drive. The wage gap has only widened during the pandemic, leaving many women in need of our support with basic items. Call our office at (202) 626-0700 to arrange a goods donation or donate funds here. 

Together, we can end pay inequity in this country. Because, as we know, when we economically empower women, we all win.