Women across every state in the United States experience the wage gap. On average, women tend to be paid less than men for equal work. This means that in order to earn the same amount of pay, women must work longer. In 2015, women still make 78 cents on the dollar compared to men, according to Levo League.
In 1996, the National Committee on Pay Equity created Equal Pay Day to raise awareness about the existing gap between men’s and women’s wages. This year, Equal Pay Day is observed on Tuesday, April 14, symbolizing how far into the year women must work to earn the amount that men earned in the previous year.
With women making up nearly half of the nation’s work force, this day calls for recognition of the value of women’s skills and their contribution to the labor force.
This April 14, wear red to show your support for Equal Pay Day.
Here are some women whose success demonstrates that gender is not a limitation for greatness.
Yael Cohen
Yael Cohen, founder and CEO of F-ck Cancer, launched the organization in 2009 after her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer to encourage the millennial generation to better communicate with their parents about early detection and prevention.
She recognizes the advantages of technology and has used them to help build an online community where people can relate to one another and open the discussion about cancer.
Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, has chimed in on the gender wage gap and has called for “an open and honest conversation about the biases that suppress women’s pay.”
She has noted that having lower salary expectations can lead to women having lower salary offers. She also noted that changing lower salary expectations can “reap real rewards.”
Andrea Wasserman
Andrea Wasserman, CEO of Sole Society, filled her position in 2013 after a "proven track record as an exceptional operator, innovator and leader," according to PR Newswire. In the past, Wasserman has worked as National Bridal Director of Nordstrom where she introduced new vendors and established business development partnerships.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton, former United States Secretary of State, has consistently advocated for equal pay. In 2006, Clinton hosted a "Pay Equity for Women" seminar where she worked directly with young women entering the workforce.
She released her guide for young professional women titled, "Know How to Ask & Know Your Rights: A Pay Equity Guide on How to Help Yourself in the Workplace," according to Correct The Record.
Sources:
Sheryl Sandberg: Gender Bias and the Fight For Equal Pay. Lean In. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
http://leanin.org/discussions/sheryl-sandberg-gender-bias-and-the-fight-for-equal-pay
Equal Pay Day. National Committee on Pay Equity. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
http://www.pay-equity.org/day.html
Yael Cohen Bio. Yael Cohen. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
http://yaelcohen.com/bio/
Hillary Clinton: A Fighter For Equal Pay. Correct The Record. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
http://correctrecord.org/hillary-clinton-a-fighter-for-equal-pay
Sole Society Appoints Andrea Wasserman As Chief Executive Officer. PR Newswire. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sole-society-appoints-andrea-wasserman-as-chief-executive-officer-221468761.html
8 Inspirational Quotes to Help You #ask4more in 2015. Levo League. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
http://www.levo.com/articles/news/2015-ask4more-quotes