
The issue of unequal pay for women has captured the national conversation, and Atlanta Women for Equality is leading the charge behind the #BlackWomenEqualPay movement. On July 28, 2015, participants were encouraged to clock out from work at 2:07 pm and upload a selfie to Instagram, Twitter and Facebook while holding a timecard with the #BlackWomenEqualPay hashtag.
2:07 p.m.—the time (64% into a regular 9-5 workday) that the average Black woman would leave work to account for the typical wage gap if she were paid at the same hourly rate as the average white man
This unequal pay cuts across socioeconomic lines;
Black women working as physicians and surgeons make 52¢ for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts.
Black women working as customer service representatives make 79¢ for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts.
Black women working as personal care aides make 85¢ for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts.
Black women working as construction laborers make 86¢ for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts.
Folks on Twitter and Instagram of all backgrounds organized to boost the conversation of wage equality:
Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act for starters, but also acknowl that the wage gap is higher for WOC than WW #EmilyListens #BlackWomenEqualPay
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) July 28, 2015
Black women create and grow businesses at 6x the national rate. Shouldn't we be compensated for that?
— Yo Mama and Yo Cousin Too (@FeministaJones) July 28, 2015
When I applied for a job:
Lakisha on my resume = zero call backs
L. Ann on my resume = flooded w/ calls
Racism hurts #BlackWomenEqualPay— Bougie Black Girl (@BougieBlackGurl) July 28, 2015
The avg African American woman working full-time, yr-round, will earn 64 cents for every dollar her male coworker earns. #BlackWomenEqualPay
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 28, 2015
It's not lack of education or training creating pay gap. It's discrimination. #ClockOut4EqualPay #BlackWomenEqualPay pic.twitter.com/HNv8DNQmjd
— SisterSong (@SisterSong_WOC) July 28, 2015
Men see a $10 bill. Black women only see $6.40. CLICK to see why we need #BlackWomenEqualPay: http://t.co/qERTDtRHlL pic.twitter.com/mRdXojWyVi
— Former Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (@RepMarciaFudge) July 28, 2015
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Check out this nifty infographic for more facts on how the wage gap leaves black women at a disadvantage:
Did you participate in #BlackWomenEqualPay Day? What are your thoughts on the wage gap?
I really appreciate the non-blacks posting pictures. Thanks for the support. Women in general don’t get paid what we should, but it’s sad that blacks and Latinos get the lowest.
That women of other races posed in solidarity for their black sisters is beautiful. The continued discrimination and unequal pay is disgusting.
Honestly the non-black women selfies are what touched me the most. I actually teared up. Its nice that women of other races can recognize the injustice and try to make a change.