FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOKLYN, NY — NYC Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn), the Women’s Caucus Co-Chair, calls for pay parity on Black Women’s Equal Pay Day.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“The pay gap between American men and women is one of the greatest injustices this country has battled for decades. Women across the nation bear the consequences of being paid a fraction of the compensation that their male counterparts are paid — for the same work. For Black women, this gap is far worse.

“In New York, Black women’s median wages are $42,499 compared to white, non-Hispanic men who earn $66,549. Black women earned 64 cents for every dollar earned by non-Hispanic white men in 2018. Consequently, these women will lose $962,000 in their lifetime. 

“This year, Black Women’s Equal Pay Day falls on August 13, when Black women matched the salary amount earned by white, non-Hispanic men in the previous year. In 50 years, the wage gap for Black women shrank by an insignificant 19 cents. Black women will not receive equal pay until a century from now. We cannot afford to wait any longer while facing economic, housing, and food insecurity. The majority of the essential workers and minimum wage earners are Black women who kept this city moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For too many Black women, the workplace is yet another arena in which they must wrestle with discrimination and inequality. Our families depend on our livelihoods to remain afloat. These discriminatory practices can — and must — change. 

“We live at the intersection of sexism and racism, fighting institutional, entrenched conditions that hinder our career development and advancement. This inexcusable reality is unacceptable. COVID-19 has magnified these disparities and shown us just how much work we need to do to create equitable workplace conditions for all women.

“Today, I want to thank all of my colleagues in the Women’s Caucus as well as PowHER NY for their continued commitment to building a better city where Black women are fairly compensated, supported, valued, and nurtured in all of the ways we deserve.”

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which is comprised of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.

###