AAUW Statement: It’s Time to Close the Gender Pay Gap

WASHINGTON — The following statement was issued by AAUW Chief Executive Officer Kimberly Churches in response to recently released U.S. Census Bureau data on the gender pay gap.

“Today’s news that the gender pay gap remains stuck at 20 cents on the dollar reminds us once again that we need to accelerate our efforts to eliminate this inequity once and for all.

Women face a pay gap from the minute they enter the workforce, and that gap grows exponentially throughout their careers.  It exists in nearly every profession, for hourly and salaried employees, and in every region of the country.  The latest data offers further proof that the gap is even more significant for Black women (39 cent gap) and Latinas (47 cent gap).

Unless we change course, the gap between men and women’s earnings will not close until 2106.  In fact, the pay gap has only decreased by a nickel over the past 20 years.

But working together, we’re confident that we can achieve pay equity by 2030.

At AAUW, we’re committed to advocating for stronger equal pay laws, working with employers to improve practices and cultures, and empowering women to successfully negotiate their own financial futures. We’re urging Congress to update and strengthen current law by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act. We’re calling on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to implement crucial pay data collection through the EEO-1 which would enable them to identify trends in wage discrimination and encourage voluntary compliance by employers. These are important comprehensive approaches to closing the pay gap for all workers.

Through our Work Smart initiative, AAUW will train 10 million women around the country in salary negotiation by 2022.

We’re off to a strong start:

• We’ve teamed up with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to train 85,000 of the women in the city in salary negotiation by 2021. Similar efforts are underway in five additional cities.

• Last month, we launched an initiative to train one million women in Kansas and Missouri through Work Smart, with the Women’s Foundation and Kansas City Mayor Sly James.

• Later this month, we will debut a free AAUW Work Smart Online course in salary negotiation to provide an easy way for all women to learn the ins and outs of negotiating for the best possible pay.

Cities, states, and employers are increasingly realizing the value of fair pay: It strengthens their workforce, promotes equitable communities and helps their economy and bottom line.

We shouldn’t be satisfied with spare change when it comes to pay equity.  We all deserve equal pay and refuse to settle for anything less.”

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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university members. Learn more and join us at www.aauw.org.