“Each year, Equal Pay Day reminds us that regardless of occupation, education level, work patterns or geography, women in the United States still face unjust, deeply damaging pay discrimination, which harms their families’ financial security and our nation’s economy. On average, women who work full time, year-round are paid just 80 cents for every dollar paid to men; and mothers are paid an average of just 71 cents to a white dad’s dollar. The wage gap is even more punitive for women and moms of color, who must work even longer into 2019 to be paid what white, non-Hispanic men were paid in 2018. There is no justification for this, and it must end.

“The fact that women continue to be shortchanged on their paychecks, year after year, is an outrage and an embarrassment that hurts our economy and our communities. Everyone should be paid fairly, regardless of gender or race. Today, many women are the primary breadwinners for their families and so many women are earning unfair pay. Studies show if we had pay parity, childhood poverty would decrease by 50 percent.

“It does not have to be this way and last week, the U.S. House took a huge step forward by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help eliminate discriminatory pay practices, strengthen penalties for discrimination and increase pay transparency. America’s moms demand that the Senate do the same. We also encourage Congress to prioritize passage of family-friendly workplace policies like comprehensive paid family and medical leave, paid sick days and affordable child care, which would boost women and families.”

--Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO, MomsRising

“If the Senate does not pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, our daughters and even granddaughters will be forced to continue recognizing Equal Pay Day, year after painful year. Right now, the gap between pay for women and pay for white, non-Hispanic men who work full time, year-round is a shocking $10,169 each year. On average, Latinas are typically paid just 53 cents, Native American women 58 cents and Black women only 61 cents for every dollar paid to men – and Asian women are paid just 85 cents for every dollar paid to men, with some ethnic subgroups faring much worse. It is well past time for lawmakers to help close the wage gap and make pay fair. The Paycheck Fairness Act will help do that. The U.S. Senate must act.”

--Statement of Ruth Martin, vice president, Workplace Justice Campaigns, MomsRising

NOTE: MomsRising is partnering with Main Street Alliance and small businesses in 12 states today to serve up facts about the gender pay gap and paid family and medical leave, with specialty drink sleeves and napkins. Learn more here.