Women's Equality Day and Fair Pay

Dear Friend,

In 1971, Bella Abzug had August 26th declared Women's Equality Day.

Today, women's equality still remains elusive.

As our economy spirals downward, more women are drowning under the tidal wave of rising costs.

We know that economic security and women's empowerment are bound. That's why NCJW continues to work for economic parity as an essential path toward women's empowerment. We are deeply engaged in fighting to end gender-based pay discrimination, working in coalition with other faith-based communities, labor unions, and civil rights and women's groups. In recent months, NCJW members like you sent thousands of letters to Congress, organized rallies, and educated your communities and the press.

While the Equal Pay Act of 1963 went a long way to shrinking the wage gap, women still earn 77 cents on the dollar when doing the same work as men. Consider how that 23-cent difference adds up, paycheck by paycheck: Jack makes $40,000 year as a store manager, Jill earns $30,800 as a store manager; Jack is climbing the hill financially, Jill faces greater odds of descending into poverty.

This July 31st, we came one step closer to eliminating the earnings gap when the House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Fairness Act -- to help make pay equity a reality. But there is another fundamental step needed to establish equal pay -- restoring the ability of victims of wage discrimination to seek redress in the courts. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which passed the House last year, does just that. But both bills languish, awaiting action by the Senate.

In the words of Bella Abzug: "Women have been trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick. Those days are over."

At NCJW we stopped speaking softly long ago, mobilizing our communities to support policies that ensure equality, economic independence, and, in turn, empowerment, for all women.

At NCJW we take action -- and right now, that means writing your senators about the Fair Pay Act. This Women's Equality Day, I hope you'll go one step further and ask your friends and family to do the same.

Our voice and our votes are critical today and in the days ahead. Let us help move America to a day when women's equality is no longer an oxymoron.

Nancy Ratzan
NCJW President