Dear John,

$30,450.

That’s how much Latinas are losing this year because of the wage gap. Money that can cover nine months of child care, six months of rent payments, and 14 months of family groceries.

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day when we recognize the wide gap in pay between Latinas and white, non-Hispanic men. Because of the sexist and racist wage gap, Latinas stand to lose $30,450 every year even while working full time year-round.
These staggering losses are devastating for Latinas and their families—but especially in this current moment—as they continue to face extreme economic instability in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
* At every education level, Latinas experience a wage gap. Even when we look at Latinas with a professional degree, they stand to lose nearly $2.5 million over their lifetime compared to white, non-Hispanic men. Latinas are forced to earn a master’s degree ($71,210) so they can be paid more than white, non-Hispanic men with just an associate degree ($67,190).
* Racism and sexism affect Latinas in almost every occupation, but especially in low-paid jobs. Latinas face occupational segregation due to sexism and racism and are often employed in low-paid jobs, which is a driver of the wage gap. Latinas who work full time, year-round as cashiers and retail salespeople were paid just 56 cents for every dollar paid to their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts.
* Acknowledging Latina Equal Pay Day is the first step in moving to fix the gap. Latina women deserve more. Latinas shouldn’t have to work until they’re 90 years old before catching up to what white non-Hispanic men make. Over a lifetime of work, Latina women stand to lose over $1.2 million dollars or $2,358 every month. As 15.9% of the low-paid workforce, America relies on Latina workers but for every $1 a white non-Hispanic man makes, a Latina woman only makes $0.57.

Today, it is not just Latina Equal Pay Day but also a day to recognize and learn [[link removed]] how real and harmful the wage gap is to women, especially Latinas.

In solidarity,

Diana Ramirez
She/ella
Senior Manager, Policy and Coalitions
National Women's Law Center
unsubscribe: [link removed]