Take Action for Latina Equal Pay Day! TAKE ACTION

Dear Friend,

This month, we honor Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the legacy, power and countless contributions of Latine communities. From food, music, literature, film and fashion to political and civic advocacy and leadership, one truth stands out: Latinos are vital to the fabric of this country, our communities, our families, and our futures. 

And yet, even as we celebrate these contributions, Latina Equal Pay Day reminds us of the deep inequities that persist. While Latinas are helping drive culture, innovation, and progress, we are still among the most underpaid groups in the nation. On average, Latinas earn just 54 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men, a figure that includes part-time, seasonal, and migrant workers. [1]

*Sign on and stand up for Latinas by urging Congress to advance policies on equal pay and compensate Latinas what they deserve!

Ten years ago, I began working at MomsRising to close the wage gap. And today, after a full decade, Latinas have only gained three cents toward closing the 54 cent wage gap. Three cents in ten years.

Even when comparing full-time, year-round workers, the gap only narrowed slightly. Over the course of a 40-year career, this staggering gap adds up to nearly $1.2 million in lost wages for the average Latina. If this trend persists, where Latina women are not paid what they’re worth, they won’t reach pay equity with White men until 2207. [2] That is centuries from now! (Well into the 23rd century, to be exact… over 200 years from now!) 

The wage gap robs people of access to homeownership, retirement, and financial security. [2] But even when you put all of that aside, the pay gap makes it harder for Latinas to build good lives on a day to day basis. I’m talking about basic, everyday needs like groceries, childcare, rent, transportation and health care. 

These numbers are not just statistics: They represent the systemic economic barriers Latinas face. Many are concentrated in industries like farmwork, domestic labor, and restaurant work, which are historically underpaid and often lack basic workplace protections. These jobs also make Latinas more vulnerable to exploitation as workers face disproportionate wage theft, harassment, or unsafe conditions. And with Latine communities increasingly targeted by unfair human rights abuses, the risks to Latina workers, and the inequities they face, only deepen.

Latinas cannot wait another two centuries to receive compensation that they’ve already worked for! Congress must help to pass policies that closes this egregious pay gap. Sign our letter that urges our lawmakers to pass legislation that protects Latina women workers.

And it’s important to remember: Latinas are not a monolith. The Latina community is richly diverse, spanning different national origins, races, and cultural identities. The experience of a Puerto Rican woman may differ from that of a Honduran immigrant, a Mexican-American, or an Afro-Latina. Yet the throughline is clear: Inequities persist across these varied identities, and systemic barriers compound depending on race, citizenship, and culture. That’s why our solutions must reflect this complexity and uplift the voices of all Latinas. [3]

This gap isn’t just numbers. It’s our lives, our families, and our futures. That is why we’re demanding that Congress and the Trump administration end the attack on Latinas economic security and pass policies that promote salary transparency, livable wages, paid family and medical leave, affordable childcare, and workplace protections. 

*Sign on here NOW!

Latinas are overrepresented in industries that make them vulnerable for economic insecurity, and as MomsRising member and an actress, Asta explains, the “ladder to success”in her industry is not the same for everyone. For Latinas, that ladder is too often tilted by bias.

She shares:“In equal roles to my white counterparts, I’ve had moments where I was made to seem difficult just for asking for the same benefits they received. From Hollywood to domestic work, we are asked to settle for less. Numbers can’t capture the feeling of being told your worth is negotiable.”

Her words are powerful and painful. And while heartbreaking, they’re not surprising—because this is the reality that too many Latinas face every day.

*Sign our letter that urges our lawmakers to pass legislation that protects Latina women workers.

That’s why we’re demanding action. Congress and the Trump administration must end the attacks on Latina workers and pass policies that ensure:

• Salary transparency so we know if we’re being underpaid.
  
  
• Livable wages that reflect our worth.
  
  
• Paid family and medical leave so no one has to choose between a paycheck and caring for loved ones.
  
  
• Affordable childcare and workplace protections to keep families secure.

Latinas cannot wait another decade for equality. Every day that passes, we lose paychecks we’ve already earned. Add your name NOW to demand Congress close the wage gap for Latinas. 👉 SIGN HERE!

In solidarity,
Xochitl, Linda, Diarra, Catalina, Vanessa, Ruth, Kristin, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder Team

P.S. - Have you or someone you love faced workplace discrimination or unfair pay? Sharing personal stories with our lawmakers is a powerful tool in the fight against discriminatory wage gaps! Tell us about your experience!

References: 
[1] “New Census Bureau Numbers Shed Light on Continuing Pay Gaps for Women“
[2] ”Latinas Will Not Reach Pay Equity with White Men until 2207 if Current Trends Persist”
[3] “Inside the Numbers: Latina Equal Pay Gap”

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