Congresswoman Laura Richardson Urges More Work In Closing The Wage Gap By Recognizing Equal Pay Day

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson issued the following statement recognizing today as Equal Pay Day and urging employers to bring the wage inequalities faced by women and minority employees to an end:
"In the nearly 50 years since the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was signed into law by President Kennedy, we have seen improvements in wage equality, going from 59 cents on the dollar then to 77 cents on the dollar now. And while it is a move in the right direction, it is not enough. Women and minorities continue to be shortchanged in the workforce, doing just as much work as their counterparts, but receiving only part of the credit.
"To help bridge the gap that currently exists, I voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last year and restores the right of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay in court, and the Paycheck Fairness Act, which has passed the House but is waiting on approval in the Senate and closes loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and stiffens penalties for employers who discriminate based on gender.
"Equal pay is a vital concern in the 37th District, where there are large numbers of female-headed households and households where both parents have to work to support the basic needs of their families. In too many cases, these families have found their ability to survive crippled by illegal employment practices. On this Equal Pay Day 2010, let us all vow that, in order to strengthen the American family and ensure fairness in the workplace, we will work together until we have achieved an America where women are truly paid equal pay for equal work."

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