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Statement

Moms Leaders On Latina Equal Pay Day: Congress Must Help Close the Extreme Wage Gap Latinas Face

November 20, 2019
Workplace Justice, Equal Pay

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

Statement from leaders of MomsRising, an online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on Latina Equal Pay Day -- the day that marks how long Latinas have to work in 2019 to be paid what White, non-Hispanic men were typically paid in 2018.

“Today is a painful annual reminder that Latinas continue to face some of the most damaging wage gaps of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. On average, Latinas working full-time are paid just 54 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Latina moms face an even more extreme wage gap of just 46 cents on the dollar compared to white, non-Hispanic dads. These punitive gaps persist across occupations and levels of education, and they harm individuals, families, communities and our economy. 

“The pay gaps Latinas face is appalling and unacceptable. Everyone deserves to be paid fairly, and no one should be shortchanged on her paycheck because of her gender or race, or because she is a mom. We must close these racist, sexist wage gaps for Latinas and for all women.”

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

“Congress must make closing wage gaps a top priority and pass badly-needed legislation to combat them. We demand the U.S. Senate quickly pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, already passed by the U.S. House, which would be a huge step forward for equal pay. Lawmakers should also prioritize policies that tackle the root causes of these wage gaps and promote economic security for families, including anti-discrimination protections for pregnant workers, raising the minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, affordable childcare and earned sick days.

“Latinas should not have to work nearly 23 months to be paid what white, non-Hispanic men are paid in 12. The moms of America will continue to raise our voices until all wage gaps are closed.”

-- Xochitl Oseguera, national director, MamásConPoder

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.