July 29th 2023.
Tuesday, July 25th marked the release of a new study from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research highlighting the ongoing wage gap between Black women and white men across the United States. IWPR’s research showed that on a median average, Black women make just 63.7 cents to every dollar earned by a cisgender white man. This is particularly severe in certain states, with Michigan showing a staggering disparity of 57%. This means that Black women in Michigan lose out on an average of $20,000 in wages every year.
Robyn Watson Ellerbe, IWPR’s chief strategy officer, expressed her shock at the findings of the study. She commented that this gender pay gap is a “national disgrace”, and that women of color feel the brunt of this discrimination more than most. She also noted that the consequences of this pay disparity extend beyond just the financial impact, having an effect on economic security, access to healthcare, and emotional wellbeing.
Ellerbe concluded her statement by urging state leaders to introduce policy-based solutions such as codifying better pay and benefits, enforcing better protections against discrimination and harassment, and broadening access to fields of work where Black women are currently underrepresented. She said that we know what needs to be done, but it’s about having the courage to stand up and take action.
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