DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie Rollins, and DNC Women’s Caucus Chair Lottie Shackelford released the following statement to recognize Black Women’s Equal Pay Day: 

“On Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we must spotlight the unacceptable reality that Black women in America make only 69 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. This wage gap undermines the financial security of Black women and families and costs them an average of nearly one million dollars over a 40-year career. This is unacceptable. As we celebrate the tireless efforts of Black women activists working to close gender and racial pay gaps, today also serves as a reminder that our fight toward equal pay is far from over.

“The discrimination Black women face in the workplace is not isolated to payday: their hard work too often goes unnoticed, and they endure higher rates of workplace discrimination in this country. Deserving Black women are passed over for career advancement opportunities, and they face harsher penalties in the workplace. We know how hard Black women have to fight for their career success, and it is our duty to fight for the pay and recognition they’re owed.  

“Since taking office, President Biden and Vice President Harris have prioritized ending pay disparities, including issuing an executive order to address pay inequities in the federal government and federal contractors and working through the Department of Labor to root out occupational segregation. President Biden and Vice President Harris are also removing barriers preventing women from obtaining good-paying jobs, including through actions to strengthen workplace protections for pregnant workers and expand access to quality child care.

“The United States of America stands on the foundational value that every American should have an equitable opportunity for success, and the Biden-Harris administration is committed to making this ideal a reality by finally closing gender and racial pay gaps. We know that our strength lies in our diversity, and while we are proud of our progress, we will keep fighting until we can finally say that we have achieved equal pay.”