On October 3rd, 2024 we recognized Latina Equal Pay Day nationwide, calling attention to the economic inequities Latinas face in New York, and the solutions we need for gender and racial justice. PowHerNY hosted the New York online social media hour where we highlighted statements from New York legislators and shared information on the wage gap and solutions.
This Latina Equal Pay Day, we recognized that New York has passed absolutely essential laws to advance pay equity for Latinas, including the salary history ban, which prevents job applicants’ previous low wages from influencing their compensation in a new role, and the salary range disclosure law, which empowers women & all workers to be informed and negotiate for better pay.
PowHerNY and our partners also emphasized ways we need to continue the fight, like advocating for the NYS Equal Rights Amendment and calling for our pay transparency laws to be stronger and better enforced. We need to stop employers from skirting the law with overly broad salary ranges in job postings, to require postings include other forms of compensation, and to require employers provide salary range information to current employees. New York City is leading the effort to improve pay transparency with Int 808 which would amend the NYC salary range disclosure law.
On October 1st, PowHerNY and Legal Momentum also hosted a PowHer The Vote conversation that highlighted how language barriers and immigration status can lead to even more exploitation of Latina workers, and emphasized the importance of the upcoming election in achieving economic justice for Latina workers. This important discussion featured Nataly A. (Latina worker leader), Dr. Norma Fuentes-Mayorga (CUNY), Diane Cantave (Long Island Jobs with Justice), and Lía Fiol‑Matta (LatinoJustice PRLDEF) and moderator Seher Khawaja of Legal Momentum. Watch the full panel here:
Over 25 New York elected leaders and advocates also shared their unique perspectives on Latina Equal Pay Day. See their statements below:
NY State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
NYS Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie
“The Latina wage gap is not just a statistic, but a reality with severe consequences for many individuals and families. It represents a significant obstacle to economic equality and freedom across races and genders. Here in New York, we have long fought for wage equity by enacting laws that increase salary transparency and provide tools for historically marginalized employees to combat systemic gender-based income disparities. Strengthening wage transparency laws moves our state forward and though our work is not yet complete, we are taking steps in the right direction to write the wrongs of history’s past. Let’s stand together to ensure fair compensation for Latinas’ skills and contributions. Fair compensation is not a privilege, it is a right.”
Victoria, Youth Advocate with Westchester Women’s Agenda
NYS Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas
New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias
“Latinas are overrepresented in industries that are essential work, which often underpays and lacks basic workplace protections. It is not just about fair wages, it is about fair and equitable access to sustainable careers. That is why this Latina Equal Pay Day I am especially proud to be a co-prime sponsor with Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers to strengthen Local Law 32, the salary range disclosure bill, to expand transparency into other worker incentives like bonuses, benefits, and more. While I am proud to stand with my colleagues to call for equal pay for Latinas, I hope that soon one day we do not have to call for equal pay for equal work- it just is.”
NYC Council Member Sandy Nurse
“The wage gap that Latinas in New York face robs communities of color of wealth and perpetuates cycles of poverty and injustice. It’s not enough to simply acknowledge this disparity—we must relentlessly demand equal pay for Latinas. Our work, our dreams, and our contributions should never be undervalued or deferred, especially when we are so integral to the fabric of this city and this country.”
New York State Senator Monica R. Martinez
“Latina Equal Pay Day brings to light the hidden, persistent wage gap that undermines economic opportunities for Hispanic women. This inequity not only hinders the financial progress of Latinas but also impacts the stability and growth of their families and communities. When we advocate for stronger pay transparency laws, equitable wages, and expanded support systems like affordable childcare, we begin to address this disparity and build a future where everyone’s contribution is valued fairly.”
NY State Senator Samra G. Brouk (SD-55)
“To this day, Latinas in New York State only make 59 cents for every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man earns. This pay inequity and the historic marginalization of Latina women must be curbed. I applaud the work that PowHerNy is undertaking to empower Latina women to push for fair pay. Today and every day, we support Latina women’s efforts to overcome occupational segregation, fight underrepresentation, and break glass ceilings in the workforce.”
NY State Senator Nathalia Fernandez
“Latina Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of the persistent inequities Latinas face in our economy. We must continue to work towards closing the wage gap by advocating for greater pay transparency, opening pathways to higher-paying jobs for women, and supporting fair pay across all races and genders. It’s also crucial that we protect women’s rights and strengthen protections against discrimination. By addressing these challenges, we can create a future where all Latinas have the opportunity to thrive.”
NY State Senator Luis Sepúlveda
New York State Senator Robert Jackson
“In New York, the numbers are clear—Latina women continue to earn significantly less than their counterparts, and this disparity speaks to a broader, unacceptable reality of racial and gender inequity in our society. Latinas deserve more than empty promises; they deserve equal pay. Pay equity isn’t just a right—it’s a cornerstone of justice. As New Yorkers, we must lead by enacting legislation that ensures every worker, regardless of gender or ethnicity, is compensated justly. I stand with my colleagues and PowHer NY, committed to real change, so that no one, especially Latinas, is left behind on the path to economic justice.”
New York State Senator James Sanders Jr.
“The wage gap affecting Latinas is a glaring inequity that we must address urgently. Earning only 59 cents for every dollar a white male makes is not just an injustice to individuals but a disservice to our entire society. We must strengthen pay transparency laws, break down barriers to higher-paying careers, and fight for wage equity. On Latina Equal Pay Day, I stand in solidarity with the movement to ensure every Latina is compensated fairly for her work and contributions.”
NY State Senator Peter Harckham
NYS Assembly Member George Alvarez
“As we come together to recognize Latina Equal Pay Day, we confront the painful reality that Latinas in New York earn only 59 cents for every dollar paid to a white, non-Hispanic man. This wage gap is a reflection of the systemic inequalities that have persisted for too long, affecting not only Latinas but their families and communities as a whole.
New York has made significant strides with laws like the salary history ban and the salary range disclosure law, but we must continue to strengthen these protections and create new opportunities for Latinas to access higher-paying jobs. It is essential to invest in female-dominated industries and promote diversity in male-dominated fields like clean energy and trade, ensuring that every Latina has a fair chance to succeed.
I stand with PowHer®NY in advocating for fair wages, equal opportunities, and a stronger future where pay equity is not just a goal but a reality for all. Let’s use this day as a reminder that the fight for wage equality is far from over, and together, we will build a New York that truly values the contributions of all women, especially Latinas.”
NYS Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright
“Latina women in New York receive a shocking 58 cents for every dollar paid to a white non-Hispanic man. The fight to build a free and just New York will not stop until we are all paid a fair and equal wage. That is why I proudly sponsored and passed an Equal Rights Amendment bill in the Assembly that New Yorkers will vote on this November. While we have achieved significant progress, we must continue the push for equality. On this Latina Women’s Equal Pay Day, let’s dedicate ourselves to equal pay for equal work.”
NYS Assembly Member Harry Bronson
NYS Assembly Member Michaelle C. Solages
“Our economic success as a state hinges on advancing equal pay for women in the workplace. It is unacceptable that Latinas in New York State only receive 59 cents for every dollar made by a white man. By strengthening equal pay protections and expanding job opportunities in underrepresented industries, we can close this gap and make a real difference in the lives of Latinas across the state. I am proud to support these efforts alongside my colleagues and PowHer NY as we recognize Latina Equal Pay Day.”
NYS Assembly Member Alex Bores
NYC Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, Chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor and Co-chair of the Women’s Caucus
“As the first Dominican woman representing District 10, focusing on gender and racial discrepancies in the workplace has been a focus for Civil Service and Labor as well as the Women’s Caucus. The historically first woman-majority and most diverse Council has not shied away from the reality that women continue to make fractions to a man’s dollar with a wider gap for women of color. A strong workforce is fairly compensated and equitable — women’s work is not invisible nor incomplete, so our compensation shouldn’t be either.”
NYC Council Member Rita Joseph
“As we recognize Latina Equal Pay Day, we are reminded of the persistent wage gap that Latinas face across industries. This is not just an economic issue, it’s a matter of justice and equity. Latinas contribute so much to our communities, our workplaces, and our families, yet they are often paid a fraction of what others earn for the same work. We must continue to fight for fair wages, stronger workplace protections, and opportunities that honor the true value of their contributions. It’s time to close the gap and ensure that every Latina receives the respect, dignity, and pay she deserves.”
NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera
“While Latinos are the second-largest racial and ethnic group in New York, around half of Latinos in New York live in poverty or low-income conditions. Our community bears a disproportionate burden from the rising cost of living, housing shortage, and healthcare disparities and Latinas deserve equal pay for equal work. Gender inequity is a component in every issue that we take on at City Council, having passed legislation to create greater salary transparency, improve access to childcare and afterschool programs, and protect the right to join a union – but it is imperative that we do more to hold employers accountable and ensure women have the same opportunities as men in the workforce.”
NYC Council Member Farah N. Louis, chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity
“As we mark Latina Equal Pay Day, it is crucial to highlight the persistent wage disparities Latinas face, earning just 59 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. I am thankful to PowHer New York for their unwavering commitment to addressing these inequities through targeted initiatives like combating occupational segregation and strengthening salary transparency laws. These efforts are vital to advancing pay equity and ensuring Latinas have access to higher-paying roles in historically male-dominated industries. I am proud to amplify the call for fair wages, better paid leave, and investments in female-dominated sectors where Latinas are overrepresented and underpaid, and together, we can create a more just and equitable future for all women.”
New York City Council Member Kevin C. Riley, Co-Chair of the Black Latino and Asian Caucus
“On Latina Equal Pay Day, we highlight the staggering wage gap that sees Latinas earning just 59 cents for every dollar made by white, non-Hispanic men, costing them over $1.3 million in lifetime wages. This injustice limits their financial security and reflects deep-rooted barriers in our workforce. Latinas are essential leaders and contributors to our communities, yet they remain underrepresented in high-paying roles and overworked in undervalued industries. Partnering with PowHer New York, we continue to push for stronger pay equity laws and dismantling occupational segregation. We must ensure Latinas receive the fair pay and opportunities they deserve.”
NYC City Council Member Chris Banks
“On this Latina Equal Pay Day, we recognize that disparities in pay based on race and gender only detract from our city’s ability to prosper as much as possible. With Latinas earning just more than half what their white non-Hispanic male counterparts make for comparable work, there is much ground to make up to level the pay equity playing field. I’m proud to support PowHer New York as they persevere in the fight for equal pay equity legislation that will bring us closer to the goal of ensuring that all New Yorkers can thrive and prosper to their maximum potential.”
Lisa Rivera, President & CEO, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
“There is no economic, racial, or gender justice without pay equity, and Latina Equal Pay Day is a stark though unsurprising reminder of just how far we have to go in that pursuit. The persistent devaluing of Latinas’ work can keep us and our communities trapped in cycles of poverty and compounding harm, making it even harder to regain stability in the face of a crisis. Latinas and every community contending with racial and economic injustice deserve transparency and equity in their pay, not only so they can maintain stability in their and their families’ lives, but so they can thrive, too.”
NY State Senator Shelley Mayer
NY State Senator Iwen Chu