Equal Pay Day was originated by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) in 1996 as a public awareness event to illustrate the gap between men's and women's wages. Despite Census statistics showing the latest wage figures only come out until August or September, the NCPE leadership decided years ago to select a Tuesday in April as Equal Pay Day. This day of the week was also selected to represent how far into the work week women must work to earn what men earned the previous week.
In 2016, Equal Pay Day is celebrated on April 12 and it’s important to keep in mind that the issue affects women even outside the workplace. CNN Money reports that because women only make 78 cents to every dollar men earn, women don't end up with the same savings to retire on. “In fact, women are almost twice as likely as men to retire into poverty,” the report indicates. To continue spreading awareness, we compiled quotes that seem to shed light on the issue wisely:
“I do not demand equal pay for any women save those who do equal work in value. Scorn to be coddled by your employers; make them understand that you are in their service as workers, not as women.” – Susan B. Anthony
“Equal pay isn't just a women's issue; when women get equal pay, their family incomes rise and the whole family benefits.” – Mike Honda
“Today there are people trying to take away rights that our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers fought for: our right to vote, our right to choose, affordable quality education, equal pay, access to health care. We the people can't let that happen.” – Kerry Washington
“The principle of equal pay for equal work is written in the EU Treaties since 1957. It is high time that it is put in practice everywhere.” – Viviane Reding
“Empower us women and we will change this whole entire world.” – Alicia Keys
“My own mother always taught me that fairness was a family value - I think equal pay is about fairness for everyone.” – Mike Honda
“Having it all means having the same work and family choices that men do. It doesn’t mean having everything that you want. No one has that.” – Anne-Marie Salughter
“We must continue to use all avenues possible to reduce the gender pay gap, and I look forward to seeing how this is put into practice by businesses. Companies are to blame for the gender pay gap, not women.” – Jo Swinson
“We must carry forward the work of the women who have come before us and ensure our daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements and no remaining ceilings to shatter.” – Barack Obama
“For the same work, dudes get paid more.” – Rachel Maddow
“Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” – John F. Kennedy
“Teach our boys the rules of equality and respect so that when they grow up, gender equality becomes a natural way of life.” – Beyoncé
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