Apr 15, 2012 2 min read

According to latest US Census statistics, on average full-time working women earned 77 cents to every dollar earned by men. It’s hard to believe that in 2012 when women make up half of the workforce they earn 23 percent less than their male counterparts.

Over a lifetime this loss of earnings adds up. On average, women lose out on $9,575 per year and $434,000 in a lifetime due to the wage gap. In a bad economy we are extremely concerned about pay inequity not only for ourselves but for our families.

To recognize this persistent wage gap, on Thursday, April 19, beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the steps of the Fayette County Courthouse, District 12 BPW (Fayette, Greene and Washington counties) including the Uniontown, Masontown, and Connellsville Locals will be recognizing Equal Pay Day — the point in the year when a woman’s wages catch up to a man’s wages in the previous year.

Here in Fayette County the wage gap is much wider, with women earning only 56 cents to every dollar earned by men. For us, our Equal Pay Day will not be until the end of June. As working women we know that eliminating the wage gap is good for families and business, which is why Equal Pay Day is recognized every year.

We will have kick-off speakers at the courthouse at 4:30, then march with signs and banners from the courthouse to the State Theatre where we will have a Block Party with food, vendors, free gifts for the first 100 attendees, entertainment and speakers.

We hope all working women and men from Fayette County will join us.

Another important way to address pay inequity is through federal legislation. The Paycheck Fairness Act will strengthen the Equal Pay Act by closing loopholes and strengthening penalties to guarantee that women workers are not shortchanged solely because of their gender.

Unfortunately the 112th Congress was not able to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act; however it came very close. We must see this bill passed in the current Congress.

Here in Fayette County we will join hundreds of working women advocates across the country to educate women and men about pay inequity and demand passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Denice Robinson

Chair Pa BPW Foundation