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Congreswoman Beatty Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act

June 6, 2013

Beatty celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act

(Washington, D.C.) – Congresswoman Beatty (OH-03) released the following statement acknowledging the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and her support of the Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 377.

Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. Representative Beatty, a vocal advocate of equal pay for equal work, gave remarks at a press conference emphasizing the need to continue fighting for pay equality. U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Lisa Maatz of the American Association of University Women, and Clara Paynter of MomsRising also participated.

This coming Monday, June 10th will mark the 50th year since enactment of the Equal Pay Act signed into law by President Kennedy. Because of this momentous law, employers are required to provide women and men equal pay for equal work. At the time the law was signed, women earned 59 cents for every dollar earned by men. Today, women earn 77 cents per dollar earned by men. Four in 10 American households with children now include a mother who is the primary income earner for their family and research reveals more women are becoming the family’s breadwinner.

Like most disparities, pay disparity impacts minority women and families at an astounding rate. According to the National Women’s Law Center, African American women earn only 64 cents on the dollar in comparison to their majority male counterparts. The National Partnership for Women & Families, in one of its recent reports, indicates that Latino women are paid just 55 cents for every dollar earned by majority males.

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty’s remarks from the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act Press Conference follow:

“It is an honor for me to join Leader Pelosi, Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman Castro, and two champions of equal pay, Lisa Maatz of the American Association of University Women and Clara Paynter of Momsrising”

“Fifty years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed monumental legislation for women and into law, which we all know as the Equal Pay Act. Yet, women still earn 77 cents to every dollar as a male in the same position. Thus means that we, as a nation, still have a long way to go for true pay equality.”

“Women cannot afford, literally cannot afford, to wait another 40 years for this disparity to be eliminated. That is why passage of Congresswoman DeLauro’s Paycheck Fairness bill is essential to finally enabling women to earn equal pay for equal work as their male counterparts.”

“Women have fought for so long-- in the courts, forums of public opinion and on the floor of Congress to receive equal pay to men—but the disparity between gender pay signals that the fight for equality is far from over.”

“Four in ten American households with children now include a mother who is the sole or primary earner for their family. In fact, women are increasingly becoming the family breadwinner and comprise 57.7% of those 16 and older who participate in the workforce.”

“Equal pay disparity negatively impacts minority women and families at an even more astounding rate. According to the National Women’s Law Center, African American women make only 64 cents on the dollar in comparison to majority males. Latino women are paid 55 cents on the dollar to majority males.”

“The wage gap drives up poverty in this country, hits single mothers at an alarming rate, and leaves minority families at a severe disadvantage.”

“We stand here as leaders, inspired by our predecessors and united to end disparity in pay. No principle is more essential to American values than having equal pay for equal work.”

“I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to act immediately on Congresswoman DeLauro’s Paycheck Fairness Bill - to not only help women, but to help American families across this nation.”

Greg Beswick I Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03) I District and Communications Director I 614.404.8477