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How can we close the wage and opportunity gap for Black women in New York?

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August 22nd marks the date in 2019 when full-time working Black women earn what white, non-Hispanic men, working full-time made in 2018. In New York that gap is 65 cents for every dollar or a lifetime loss of $906,680. The wage gap for women of color is much larger for women of color, and we must fight to rectify this problem for ALL NEW YORKERS.

Hear what leaders in New York have to say including the Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousins, New York City Council Women’s Caucus, Women in Development-NY and the New York Women’s Foundation.

NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

  • “We must end this inequality and empower women of color to recieve equal pay or equal work.”

Camille Emeagwali Vice President of Programs, New York Women’s Foundation

  • It’s great to think about today, but we also have to think about tomorrow. So as we think about closing the wage gap we need to also make sure we are building assets so that women can be successful in the long term.


NYC Council Member Margaret S. Chin Co-Chair of the New York City Council’s Women Caucus

  • “On Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we commit to advancing our movement to addressing the stark inequalities caused by both racism and sexism.”

NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera Co-Chair of the New York City Council’s Women Caucus

  • “When discussing the gender wage gap, we too often leave black women and people of color out of the conversation. For too long, we have blatantly ignored not only their contributions to society, but the intersecting impacts of race and gender on one’s financial security.”

NYC Council Member Adrienne Adams

  • “Black women making less than white men and women demonstrates the larger issue of systemic inequality faced by people of color. Unequal pay for Black women is rooted in the intersections of sexism and racism.”

NYC Council Member Vanessa Gibson

  • “We seek to close this wage gap and provide black women the economic security and prosperity they deserve.”

NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal

  • “Women, especially those of color, are still subjected to unequal pay, despite years of media and activist attention. This injustice perpetuates the already prevalent social discrimination women face and puts them at greater risk of poverty in their later years.”

NYC Council Member Farah Louis

  • “From the classroom to the boardroom, Black women and women of color have persistently experienced gender – and race-based wage inequity that has perpetuated the systematic cycle of discrimination and oppression.”

NYC Council Member Debi Rose

  • “African-American women are the backbones of our communities and can no longer countenance being treated as second class citizens. This inequity must end.” 

NYC Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel

  • “Black women cannot continue working and living our lives valued at 33% less than a white male. Employers must address equal pay as a priority labor issue.”

NYC Council Member Diana Ayala

  • “The wage gap is highly detrimental to Black women, as these lost wages impact their ability to pay for housing, quality childcare, health insurance, and more.”

Yolanda F. Johnson President, YFJ Consulting, LLC and the First African-American President of Women in Development

  • “In order to see real, lasting change, we must begin with ourselves. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are buzz words now, but the focus for me is inclusion. To think differently, to organically remember to include diverse candidates in any selection process. We must begin to naturally include black women in the way we think about leadership, careers and advancement. Not as “others,” or exceptions, but as the norm in a society that welcomes the talents, skills and leadership of black women and values them just as equally as anyone else. There is so much to be contributed, and there is a place for all of us at the table. I invite all black women to take their seats, and all employers to create a table that includes us just as naturally and equally as anyone else.”
Carol Jenkins Co-President and CEO, The ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality
  • “America has never known true equality. Women and others were excluded in the beginning–deliberately left out of the Constitution, which dictates the rules that govern rights and protections. Until the Equal Rights Amendment is ratified and put into effect, we will always be mourning these days of inequity. They seldom get better, a disgraceful reminder of built in, tolerated discrimination.”