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July 26, 2021

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day 2021

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One year’s salary. 20 months of work.

Few people could work for free, Monday to Friday, for over eight months of the year. So it may surprise you to learn that women across America have essentially been doing just that, but not through choice.

About Black Women’s Equal Pay Day 2021

Black women make $0.67 for every dollar made by a non-Hispanic white men. This means that they must work significantly more days until they receive the same pay as men. In essence, during these additional days, they’re working for free. Women’s Equal Pay Day marks the day on which the average full-time working woman finally makes the same amount of money that the average man did in the previous year. While this date landed on March 24th this year, Black Women’s Equal Pay Day has only just arrived: August 3rd. This means that eight months into the year, on average, Black women have only just made the same amount as men did last year. That’s 20 months of full-time work for one year’s salary. Black-womens-equal-pay-day-2021

But wait. What about the Equal Pay Act?

Yes, federal laws such as the Equal Pay Act and Civil Rights mean that women are to be paid the same amount for performing the same role as a man. However, there are still social constructs, biases, and barriers preventing women from reaching higher paid positions and truly achieving equality. And the figures make it clear that these barriers are even greater for Black women:
“Barriers associated with traditional gender roles and our continuing legacy of slavery have devalued women and people of color, particularly Black people, denying them higher-paying jobs, fair treatment, and opportunities for advancement in the workplace.” Terry Fromson, Managing Attorney, Women’s Law Project
Equal Pay Today also tells us that 80% of Black mothers are the breadwinners of the household, which means the significant pay gap is affecting families. This knowledge becomes even more concerning during the current pandemic, in which the economic fallout and job cuts are said to be falling hardest on women of color.

Play your part in Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

If this trajectory continues, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research projects that Black women will have to wait until 2124 for equal pay. With no time to wait, you may be wondering what steps you can take to start making a positive impact. One of the many great places to start is by reading this insightful CNBC Make It article in which five Black women explain how both employers and colleagues can help close the pay gap. Why not also follow Equal Pay Today on Instagram or Facebook to find more information and join today’s equal pay campaigns — and campaigns for upcoming future Equal Pay Days — including social media storms that raise awareness of the pay gap issue across America.

Equal Pay Day calendar

Here are this year’s Equal Pay Day dates to look out for, based on the 2019 U.S. Census data on median earnings for full-time, year-round workers: AAPI Women’s Equal Pay Day 2021: March 9th Equal Pay Day 2021: March 24th Mom’s Equal Pay Day 2021: May 5th LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Day 2021: June 16th Black Women’s Equal Pay Day 2021: August 3rd Native Women’s Equal Pay Day 2021: September 8th Latina Equal Pay Day 2021: October 21st To find out more and see what you can do to support equal pay for equal work, head to the Equal Pay Today! website. Looking for guidance on how you can create a workplace in which every woman can thrive? Subscribe to our free HR newsletter.

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About the Author
Sophie Main is WORK180's Brand and Content Manager, with a background in business improvement and a determination to make the working world a better place. She regularly collaborates with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experts to create content that will help companies support the careers of all women.

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Our transparent job board only has vacancies from employers we endorse and lets you see what benefits, policies and perks come with the job.