A Wake-Up Call for Family-Friendly Policies

9to5 marks Mom’s Equal Pay Day on August 7, 2024 by urging immediate action on policies supporting working families. This day spotlights the harsh reality that mothers—especially mothers of color—face significant wage disparities that impact not just individual women, but entire communities.

“Imagine working full-time and still not being able to afford basics like diapers or childcare. That’s the reality for too many mothers in America today,” said Mica Whitfield, Co-President and CEO of 9to5. “As a mother myself, I’ve seen how the system is stacked against us. The motherhood penalty isn’t just unfair—it’s pushing families into poverty.”

The Motherhood Wage Gap: A Crisis for Families

  • Mothers are paid 63 cents for every dollar paid to fathers. If you include the pay moms lose while providing unpaid care, the number drops to 49 cents. 
  • The gap widens for women of color: Black mothers earn 52 cents and Latina mothers only 51 cents compared to white fathers.
  • Mom’s earn less than dads in every state. 

“These aren’t just statistics—they represent missed meals, overdue bills, and children going without,” added Ashley Panellli, fellow Co-President and CEO. “In my years working in caregiving, I saw countless women forced to choose between their careers and their families. It’s time for policies that recognize caregiving as valuable work.”

9to5 Calls for Comprehensive Solutions

  1. Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to strengthen equal pay protections
  2. Implement paid family and medical leave and support the FAMILY Act
  3. Expand access to affordable, quality childcare
  4. Support the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act to strengthen protections against workplace discrimination

9to5 calls for comprehensive solutions that contribute to the pay gap for moms including The Paycheck Fairness Act, paid family and medical leave, affordable childcare, and the BE HEARD in  the Workplace Act and all work towards pay equity. 

“We’re not just fighting for equal pay—we’re fighting for the recognition that mothers’ work, both paid and unpaid, is essential to our economy,” Whitfield emphasized. “By implementing family-friendly policies, we can create workplaces that work for everyone.”

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