October 21st marks another day where women in the United States have to recognize that we are not paid equally. More than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Latinas typically earn only 57 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men and must work nearly 23 months to earn what white men earn in 12 months. Just last year, Latinas only earning $0.55 for every dollar paid to White men with very little improvement despite the awareness that has been pushed. In 1989, Latinas were paid $0.52 for every dollar paid to White men – only three cents in three decades, counting for a penny a decade until this year.
According to LeanIn and McKinsey & Company’s 2020 “Women in the Workplace” report, for every 100 men promoted to manager, just 71 Latinas are promoted at the same rate and still with less pay. As we have learned during this equal payday series, women of color are facing barriers centered around sexism and racism that prevent them from being promoted to senior-level management roles.
The pay gap revealed itself even more during the height COVID-19 where 3 in 10 were working in a front-line job (medical, day-care, customer service…etc.). Even with pay incentives, Latina women could not catch up with their white counterparts. For example, Latina doctors were paid 68% of the average hourly wage of non-Hispanic white male doctors – which makes a difference of $20.46 per hour. Across service jobs, the pay gap was a little better – Latina women in the service industry were paid between 90% and 94% of what non-Hispanic white men were.
Outside of the working Latinas, we have to account for those who have lost their jobs and have had to make ends meet in any way they can. Whether it is a daycare, rent, food, or any other expense, being paid equally has only set Latina women back when they experience job losses. Unemployment assistance and welfare do not make an exception to this. Equal pay helps fund health savings account, 401k’s, and savings account in general at the same rate as others. So when loss is experienced, why is it fair to not have LESS to fall back on? It’s not.
23 months is unacceptable – Latina’s work longer than the average woman of color trying to catch up to the pay gap. In order to close the gap, PositiveHire helps women of color in the STEM industry move up the ladder and get into c-level roles. Movements like this are what help women of color reach the top and make the difference that our white counterparts have failed to do since 1963.
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