Black Women's Equal Pay Day
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Late last month, the State of Michigan took a significant step in recognizing the persistent gender and racial wage gap faced by Black women. They declared July 27, 2023, as "Black Women's Equal Pay Day," meaning the amount of time Black women must work into the year to earn what their White, non-Hispanic male counterparts made the previous year. In essence, for every dollar earned by a White man, a Black woman makes only 67 cents. Here is the text of the Proclamation:
"WHEREAS, Black women, on average, must work more than 7 months into a new year to make the same amount as their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts were paid last year; and,
WHEREAS, more than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women in Michigan continue to suffer the consequences of unequal pay; and,WHEREAS, as a whole, women in the U.S. who work full-time, year-round are typically paid only 84cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts; and,
WHEREAS, nationally, the average Black woman in the United States who works fulltime, year-round is typically paid 67 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men; and,
WHEREAS, this wage gap typically means an annual median loss of $22,692 for Black women and a staggering loss of $907,680 over the course of a 40-year career; and,
WHEREAS, women continue to experience a pervasive wage gap with real consequences for their families, communities, and our nation; and,
WHEREAS, these lost wages mean that Black women and their families have less money to support themselves and their families, save and invest for the future, and spend on goods and services. Families, businesses, and the economy suffer as a result; and,
WHEREAS, on this day, we raise awareness of the need to institute fair pay policies which will allow us to achieve pay equity across the board for all women;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim July 27, 2023, as Black Women's Equal Pay Day in Michigan."
From: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/proclamations/2023/07/27/july-27-2023-black-womens-equal-pay-day Here is some context and Black history for you. More than 50 years ago on August 10th, 1970, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm stood on the US House of Representatives floor for a second time to introduce the Equal Rights Amendment.
She begins:
"Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 264, before us today, which provides for equality under the law for both men and women, represents one of the most clear-cut opportunities we are likely to have to declare our faith in the principles that shaped our Constitution. It provides a legal basis for an attack on the most subtle, most pervasive, and most institutionalized form of prejudice that exists: discrimination against women solely on the basis of their sex."
Born Shirley St. Hill on November 30th, 1924, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman to serve in Congress.
The 12th District of New York elected her in 1968. When Shirley Chisholm spoke about the Equal Rights Amendment, she often talked about pay and employment equality. During a congressional speech in 1969, she indicated that women need protections that "guarantee them fair pay, safe working conditions, protection against sickness and layoffs, and provision for dignified, comfortable retirement. Men and women need these things equally."
Some things have certainly advanced for women since Shirley Chisholm was elected in 1968.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations have worked to combat gender discrimination and equality of any kind. In 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which allows people to file complaints about pay discrimination.
Despite these advances, the struggle is still real for all women, but especially for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Again, July 3rd, 2023, was Black Women's Equal Pay Day. This date was the estimated day, on average, that an African American woman needed to work into the current year to make what a White male counterpart earned last year. Here is another example: if a White male makes $100,000 a year, the average Black woman makes only $67,000 that same year, and it would take a Black woman almost seven more months to earn what her White male counterpart made. The Equal Pay Day for White women was March 14th. On average, White women earn 83 cents for every dollar a White man earns. Thus, if a White man makes $100,000 a year, a White woman would earn $83,000 in that same period, and it would take her almost three more months to reach what the male made.
The wage gap is even more significant for Latina women and Indigenous women, who make 54 cents for every dollar their White male counterparts make. Latina Women's Equal Pay Day is October 5th.
Governor Whitmer's proclamation serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender and racial equality in America.
The wage gap faced by BIPOC women not only affects them personally but also affects their families, communities, and the economy at large. The proclamation is a reminder and call to action for everyone to join efforts in minimizing pay disparities and ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for all. We need to work towards creating a society where everyone is treated with the respect and fairness they deserve, regardless of their gender or race.
If you want to learn more, visit http://www.equalpaytoday.org/ or any number of web resources dedicated to these issues.
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library Congresswoman
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