Each week the AIT community receives #TakeActionTuesday with tips for creating impactful change in their community and beyond. From new online tools, to pending policy updates, subscribe today to make sure you don’t miss these action-oriented recommendations.
On Sunday, the US Women’s National Soccer Team won the World Cup, securing their fourth world championship and breaking their own record for the most wins in the tournament’s history. Their victory was won amidst an upcoming legal battle with the US Soccer Federation on claims that female athletes are being paid as low as 38 percent of what male athletes are earning, despite generating more revenue for the league than the men’s team.
Significant gender pay gaps still exist in sports, as well as in almost every field where women are underrepresented in decision-making positions. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the wage gap in the US isn’t predicted to close until at least 2058. The rate of improvement is even slower for women of color, with projections showing that Hispanic and Black women will not earn equal pay for 200 and 100 years respectively.
This Take Action Tuesday, follow the example set by the US Women’s Soccer Team and use your personal experience to empower your own equal pay advocacy.
- Confront Pay Gap Myths. Despite extensive statistics, misconceptions still exist around the prevalence and severity of the gender pay gap. Check out this factsheet from the National Organization for Women that dispels common myths and make sure your own knowledge is sourced from credible and established organizations.
- Talk To Your Elected Officials. Contact your representatives to share your views on the gender wage gap and ask if they are supporting any related workplace fairness legislation.
- Support Pay Transparency. According to experts, open and honest discussions about wages can be a powerful tool to combat workplace inequality. However, while it is unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act for private sector employers to prohibit their employees from discussing salaries, there are exceptions for some occupations. Find out what policies exist at your workplace and begin your advocacy in your own company or industry if these policies do not reflect your needs and beliefs.
How are you taking action on the pay gap in sports or in your own industry? Tell us at info@aitogether.org.
