In his State of the Union Address, President Obama said, “We know our economy is stronger when wives, mothers and daughters can live their lives free from discrimination in the workplace.” He added, “And I ask Congress to declare that women should earn a living equal to their efforts, and finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this year.” The President also spoke of the importance of equal pay in his inaugural address last month. When the heart of our President is so clearly on the side of fairness to women, women should feel a responsibility to that support and get involved.
Fifty years after the Equal Pay Act was signed into law, women are still paid less than men for the same work — 23 cents less for each dollar earned by a man, and women and mothers of color experience increased wage hits on top of that. The Paycheck Fairness Act must be passed now in order to close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act. The Paycheck Fairness Act will make it easier for women to seek justice for being illegally discriminated against in wages and salaries. The majority of families these days need the wages of both parents to make ends meet. Equal pay for equal work will do much toward helping family economic security and even national economic security. Do your part today! Encourage friends, family and colleagues to contact their senator and representatives today and ask them to support the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Judy Quaglia-Belanger, Action Network Rhode Island.
Judy is a homecare worker and regular contributor to her local paper. She is an active member of the Action Network and loves to speak out about the issues that affect women today.
