WASHINGTON – Ahead of Equal Pay Day, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) led 142 Members in introducing a resolution to recognize March 14th as Equal Pay Day. This day marks how long into 2023 the average woman must work to make what the average man was paid in 2022. The resolution highlights the significance of equal pay and the disparity between wages paid to men and women.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: 

“When women are underpaid at work, it sends the offensive message that we are considered to be worth less than men. It’s even more offensive that Black and brown women must work substantially later into the year to earn their fair pay. The Paycheck Fairness Act and my bill, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, are tools to put people over politics and help end pay discrimination once and for all.”  

Yvonne Brooks, President of the Georgia State AFL-CIO said: 

“Equal pay is imperative to working families! Women earn $.80 on the dollar for the same work as men. Women of color earn even less. In many cases women are the breadwinner and this creates undue hardships on families. Unions have worked hard to close this equity gap. Women deserve equal pay for an equal day’s work! The Georgia AFL-CIO will continue its efforts and support of Equal Pay Day.”

Staci Fox, President and CEO, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute said:  

“In Georgia, women represent over half of our population, yet they do not share equal access to power, resources and opportunities. For women of color, the problem is even more severe: for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men, Latinas are paid 49 cents and Black women are paid 63 cents. Wealth remains a key pathway to power and influence — until we address this gap, Georgia will remain a state that disempowers the majority of its population of women. Equal Pay Day reminds us that gender equality conversations must start by addressing pay equity, and pay equity cannot be achieved without first addressing racial equity. Women deserve an economy that works for us, pays us fairly and allows our families and communities to thrive.”

Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Lois Frankel (FL-22) said:

“Equal pay is not only a matter of fairness and justice—it’s essential for creating a more equitable and prosperous world. For generations, women have received unequal pay for equal work, disproportionately occupied jobs in low-paying industries, and been forced to leave the workforce altogether due to lack of affordable caregiving. It’s long past time Congress took the necessary steps to close the wage gap.”  

Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) said:

“Equal Pay Day marks how far into the current year a woman must work to catch up to what her male counterpart earned in the previous year. More than five decades after passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, women working full-time or part-time still earn less for every dollar earned by men. That is outrageous and it must end. Equal pay for equal work is a simple concept, and it is time we actualize it for the millions of American women who are being unfairly undervalued in the workplace. Let’s enact the Paycheck Fairness Act and empower working women by giving them the tools to ensure their contributions to the workplace are properly respected and reflected in their pay.”

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) said:

“Almost 60 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women, especially women of color, continue to be underserved, undervalued, and underpaid. This disparity has only grown worse during the pandemic and she-cession, especially given the lack of affordable child care available for our communities. This resolution recognizes the disparities, inequality, and unfair treatment of women in the workplace. It’s time to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to make sure this year’s Equal Pay Day is the last. Women deserve equal pay NOW.”    

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District on the exclusive Financial Services Committee. She is a champion of voting rights and builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as co-Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams is committed to closing the racial wealth gap and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of your ZIP code or bank account.

###