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

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.

July 31 is Black Women's Equal Pay Day. Black women are the cornerstone of our communities, they are phenomenal, and they deserve equal pay. pic.twitter.com/XOHyIdbYPc

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 31, 2017

Equal Pay Day for African-American women, by the numbers https://t.co/xV4DYDRgGx #BlackWomensEqualPay pic.twitter.com/TPEzfPA4lu

— Rewire (@Rewire_News) July 31, 2017

July 31 is Black Women's Equal Pay Day. Black women are the cornerstone of our communities, they are phenomenal, and they deserve equal pay. pic.twitter.com/r9fYWACyjp

— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) July 31, 2017

July 31 is #BlackWomensEqualPay Day: it represents the # of days into 2017 a black woman must work 2 earn same pay a white man made in 2016. pic.twitter.com/9yZnjsOR7o

— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) July 31, 2017

What does equality at work mean to you? #BlackWomensEqualPay pic.twitter.com/hhK2tp16RK

— ACLU National (@ACLU) July 31, 2017

Although Black women are the most educated group in America, paychecks are a long way off from reflecting that. #BlackWomensEqualPay

— ESSENCE (@Essence) July 31, 2017

Let’s get more Black women working in STEM, raise the minimum wage & advocate for pay transparency. #BlackWomensEqualPay

— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) July 31, 2017

Today is #BlackWomensEqualPay Day, when Black women's pay catches up to what white, non-Hispanic men made in 2016. pic.twitter.com/XQnOR9e9rt

— NWLC (@nwlc) July 31, 2017

Remember: a black woman would have to work 19 months to have the same pay her white male peers would have in 12 months. #BlackWomensEqualPay

— Mehreen Kasana (@mehreenkasana) July 30, 2017

My face knowing that the avg. American man could vacation for 6 mo & earn the same as the avg. BW who works all year #BlackWomensEqualPay pic.twitter.com/KI6g0nNqdL

— Yvette D. Clarke (@RepYvetteClarke) July 30, 2017

July 31 is #BlackWomensEqualPay Day. Black women are the cornerstone of our communities, we are phenomenal & we deserve equal pay. pic.twitter.com/9h4fpSAGUF

— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) July 31, 2017

TODAY is #BlackWomensEqualPay Day. Black women are the anchor of our communities, phenomenal & DESERVE equal pay❣️#RisingTideLiftsAllBoats pic.twitter.com/FEkBOzh5MT

— Yara shahidi (@YaraShahidi) July 31, 2017