#BlackWomensEqualPayDay Is Calling Out the Wage Gap That Black Women Face

July 31 marks the day that black women get paid the equivalent of what white men were paid the previous year.

Damola Durosomo
July 31, 2017

Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day—the day that marks the point in the year, when black women are finally paid the equivalent of what their white, male counterparts earned last year.

Black women are using this day to call out the racial and gender inequality, that leaves black women—the most educated demographic in the nation—earning 67 cents on the dollar relative to white males. Though the gender gap exists across all races, black and Hispanic woman are hit the hardest. According to a report from the Pew Research Center, while white women earn and average of $17 per hour, black women earn $13.

Though black women continue to earn multiple degrees and work more hours on average, The National Women's Law Center, reports that black women could potentially lose around $840,000 over a 40 year career based on the current wage gap.

Black women continue to create movements that call for change in the workplace. Earlier this year, many women used the hashtag #BlackWomenAtWork to bring attention to the racism we face in the workplace.

Today, black woman of various professional backgrounds are calling out the glaring income disparity and sharing statistics, personal essays and thoughts using the hashtag #BlackWomensEqualPay.

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