On July 9th, 2024 we recognized Black Women’s Equal Pay Day nationwide, calling attention to the economic inequities Black women 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 Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we recognized that New York has passed absolutely essential laws to advance Black women’s pay equity, 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.
PowHerNY hosted an interview with equal pay champion and CWA Local 1180 President, Gloria Middleton. Watch the inspiring conversation:
Over 25 New York elected leaders and advocates also shared their unique perspectives on Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. See their statements below:
New York Governor Kathy Hochul
“On Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, I remain fully committed to closing the gender wage gap, especially for the women of color who are disproportionately affected. Better working conditions for women means a stronger, fairer economy for all.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James
“On Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we honor the work of Black women and highlight the unjust pay inequity they face,” said. “Black women earn only 66 cents to every dollar earned by their white male counterparts despite doing much of the same work. New York has led the way in closing this gap by providing pay transparency and banning salary history, and we must continue by passing the Equal Rights Amendment this November. Today, and every day, we remain committed to the fight for pay equity, and we are lucky to have Bev Neufeld and PowHer lead the way with us.”
New York State Majority Leader and Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins
New York State Senator Robert Jackson
“In New York, the figures speak volumes—while strides have been made toward equality, Black women continue to earn significantly less than their counterparts. This disparity undermines their economic security and echoes a broader, unacceptable reality of racial and gender inequity in our society. We see the stark numbers, feel the injustice, and recognize that the road ahead demands we accelerate our efforts. We must enact legislation and policies that ensure pay equity is not just an aspiration but a reality for all. I am committed to all efforts to transform this scale of injustice, ensuring no one is left behind on the path to economic justice.”
New York Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas
“As many of our rights are being stripped away by the far right, it is imperative we continue to fight relentlessly for equity on every level. Black women continue to face extreme wage gaps working the same jobs as men, thus widening economic and social disparities, cultivating poverty, and leading to other social injustices. Our country has a dark history of exploiting the unpaid and underpaid labor of Black women and this legacy carries on. Our struggles are intersectional and lead to our collective liberation. This is why this movement for equal pay is so important. We are overdue for a radical economic transformation and must eliminate wage gaps. Compensate Black women fairly. Compensate people of color fairly. Compensate LGBTQIA+ communities fairly. Compensate immigrants fairly. Let’s get this done.”
New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
“Wage disparity is just one of the many economic barriers Black women face today. This is why the New York City Council has been laser focused on supporting legislation that will ensure greater wage transparency and I look forward to seeing the passage of Intro 808, which would amend the administrative code to clarify how employers disclose benefits in offers. Far too long overlooked, we will continue to fight for pay equity to advocate for underserved groups in New York City.”
Chanel L. Porchia-Albert, NYC Commission for Gender Equity and Founder of Ancient Song
“As a Black woman, mother, and doula, I stand firm in recognizing the historical and present-day need to honor the invaluable contributions of Black women to society. Our work is not only a labor of love but a crucial pillar of our communities. It is time to break down the stigma and systemic barriers that undervalue our efforts. Care work is work, and it deserves to be compensated with a living wage that reflects the immense demands placed upon us as mothers, caregivers, doulas, policymakers, and essential contributors to a just and fair society. Equal pay is not just a necessity; it is a right that must be upheld legislatively, ensuring that Black women receive the respect and remuneration we have long deserved.”
Aniyah, Westchester Women’s Agenda
New York State Senator Shelley Mayer
“I am proud to join PowHer New York to acknowledge Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. Despite the progress we have made as a society, it is not enough, and we must keep fighting. Black women still earn 66 cents to the dollar of their white male counterparts and on average must work over 20 years longer in order to make the same amount over the course of their lifetime. As we acknowledge Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we must recommit ourselves to the fight against the unacceptable wage disparity and systemic discrimination Black women face. I thank our Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her leadership in the Senate that has led to New York State taking substantial steps to address systemic problems women face in the workplace.”
New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud
“I commend PowHerNY for recognizing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and continuing to do the work to shed light on this long-standing issue of wage disparity for black women. The system is still greatly inequitable in more ways than one, thus lowering the quality of life for many women of color. We must speak out against systemic wage inequality and champion racial justice—it’s time to rewrite the story of fairness in New York and beyond.”
New York State Senator James Sanders Jr.
“Despite the undeniable contributions of black women in every sector, their advancement in pay equity remains severely inadequate. It is imperative that we address this injustice head-on and work tirelessly to ensure fair and equal pay for all. We owe it to our mothers, sisters and daughters to close this gap and recognize their true worth.”
New York State Senator Lea Webb
“In 2024, we continue to experience significant disparities in our path to pay equity for women, especially Black women,” said State Senator Lea Webb. “This challenge of significantly less pay for the same type of work is very pervasive throughout all of our institutions. Addressing this issue is not just a matter of fairness; it is a crucial step toward achieving true economic justice. We must take bold actions to ensure that Black women are paid equitably for their contributions and have the opportunity to thrive in all sectors of our economy.”
New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez
“In New York, Black women earn only 66 cents for every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man earns. This staggering disparity means that over a 40-year career, Black women lose more than $1.1 million in wages. Imagine working your entire life and losing out on over a million dollars because of your race and gender. While we have important laws like the salary history ban and salary range disclosure, they are not enough. Employers still find ways to bypass these protections, leaving the wage gap intact. We need stronger enforcement and new measures to close these loopholes. I am committed to supporting the NYS Equal Rights Amendment to combat gender and racial discrimination and to ensure true fairness and equality for all.”
New York Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre
New York Assemblywoman Amy Paulin
“New York State has made some great strides to ensure women receive equal pay for substantially similar work, however we still have a long way to go. In particular women of color are far from achieving pay equity. The pay gap is also about more than not being paid the same wage for the same job–it’s also about how women are often relegated to lower paying jobs. It’s so important that women come together and demand equal compensation for labor. Thank you PowHerNY for recognizing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and the steps we need to take to achieve equal pay for all.”
New York Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright
“Black women in New York face stark pay inequities. Unless we end this gender and racial wage disparity, then the fight for financial empowerment will leave many women behind. I proudly sponsored and passed an Equal Rights Amendment bill in the Assembly that will appear as a ballot measure this fall. While we have achieved significant progress, we must continue the push for equality. On this Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, let’s commit to equal pay for equal work.”
New York Assembly Member Deborah Glick
“As we recognize Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and the many successes we have won to reduce the gender pay gap, we must also be mindful of how much work is left before us. This November New Yorkers will take another important step as they go to the polls to approve the Equal Rights Amendment. Pay inequities thrive in the shadows, so laws strengthening transparency must also be passed; including NYC Intro 808 to give current and prospective employees fully accurate salary information; and legislation I have carried that would require an equal pay report to be part of the bidding process for state contracts. Doors to traditionally male dominated fields need to be opened more widely by prioritizing job entry programs and valuing diversity and inclusion in all sectors of the economy. We must continue to strive to achieve equal pay for equal work, and for the basic respect for women and women of color that is foundational to pay equity.”
New York Assemblywoman Sarah Clark
“Despite New York passing essential laws to address this racial disparity including the salary history ban and the salary range disclosure law, Black women still receive .66 cents for every dollar white men make to this day. On National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and everyday we must lift up the work Black women do and continue the fight for equitable pay for all. Thank you to PowHerNY and partners for your shared commitment to acting on and speaking out against systemic wage inequality.”
New York Assemblymember Demond Meeks
“We cannot begin to uplift struggling and underserved members of our community without ensuring our residents and families are paid what they deserve. Black women have been historically underpaid and exploited for their labor, perpetuating the long-standing disparities in both race and gender we see throughout our state. Roughly half of all working women of color are earning less than $15 per hour and have been deprived of an economic security that is long overdue. While our state has taken crucial steps to advance pay equity for black women, there is much work to be done. I remain committed to ensuring fairness for all workers and building a more equitable future for the people of New York State.”
New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar
“Equal pay for women in America would add half a trillion dollars to our GDP and cut women’s poverty in half. As a civil rights lawyer, I fought for all women to receive equal pay, and was part of the legal team on the landmark Velez v. Novartis gender equality case ranked by the UN as one of the top 10 cases in the world advancing women’s rights. Whether in the halls of government or the courtroom, I will always do everything in my power to ensure equal pay for equal work. On this Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we recommit to end the injustice of black women earning 65.4 cents for every dollar a white man earns, and become a society where all women enjoy full equality.”
New York Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages
“As we mark Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, let us continue our work across New York State to bridge the gap that denies too many Black women the wages they deserve. By taking action to end these pay disparities, we strengthen families across our state and our economy. If we empower everyone who contributes to our economic success by paying equal wages for the same work, we create a fairer society for everyone. As women, we stand united in recognizing this day and recommit ourselves to the cause of equal pay. Let’s continue to work towards building an economy where all work is rewarded fairly.”
New York Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal
“Women’s work and contributions have been systemically undervalued for decades, putting women, and especially women of color, at an immense disadvantage,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF – Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing. “Black women continue to earn just 65.4 cents for every dollar earned by a white male counterpart, resulting in a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of their career and making it that much harder to get ahead. I am proud to stand with PowHer New York in recognition of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and to continue the work needed to eliminate the racial and gender pay equity gaps that persist. All women must be paid equal pay for equal work.”
New York Assemblymember Alex Bores
New York Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
“Black women have made much progress in the face of systemic discrimination and disproportionate roadblocks to get the equal pay we deserve, but Black Women’s Equal Pay Day highlights how we need to double down on our efforts to end glaring inequalities. We will not accept earning 66 cents to every dollar our white, non-Hispanic counterparts earn, and we’re as committed as ever to closing this glaring and damaging pay gap. In the NY State Assembly, we will keep passing laws until the playing field is even; and ensure Black women don’t have to work until July to make back the amount other women typically earn at the start of the year.
As Chair of the MWBE Subcommittee and Assembly Majority Whip, I’m dedicated to ensuring women and minority- and women-owned businesses get their fair share of the economic pie they deserve as we reaffirm our commitment to strong legislation and leadership. We can’t, and won’t, wait to advance Black women’s economic equity.”
NYC Council Member Farah Louis
New York City Council Member Kevin C. Riley,
Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus
“As we mark Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, it’s crucial to recognize the persistent wage gap affecting Black women, who earn only 66 cents for every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man makes. This disparity not only undermines their economic security but also highlights systemic inequalities in our workforce. Black women are driving leaders in our society, and it’s imperative that we celebrate their contributions by ensuring fair and equal pay.
I am committed to advocating for policies that close this wage gap and dismantling the barriers hindering Black women’s economic advancement. Partnering with PowHER New York, we call for continued action and support to promote pay equity and fairness. Let’s honor Black women by giving them the compensation they deserve and recognize their vital role in our communities and workforce.”
NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera
“Gender inequity is a component in every issue that we take on at City Council, and we remain committed to closing the pay gap between men and women. We have 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, especially Black women, have the same opportunities as men in the workforce.”