COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — Equal Pay Day, recognized this year on April 4, brings awareness to the gender and racial wage gap in the United States. The average woman would have to work an extra three months in order to earn the same amount of money as the average man earned in 2016 alone.
The equal pay dates vary for different groups of women, which draws attention to wage disparities for women of color.
8/23 African American Women’s Equal Pay Day (63%)
9/14 Native American Women’s Equal Pay Day (59%)
11/1 Latina Women’s Equal Pay Day (54%)— Sherry Frost (@frostnhstaterep) April 4, 2017
The hashtag #20PercentCounts is also making the rounds on Twitter, as many retailers across the country are offering 20 percent off their merchandise. Why 20 percent? Supporters of the #20PercentCounts campaign say that since women make 20 percent less than men, they should get to pay 20 percent less for purchases. Several retailers are offering discounts to everyone, regardless of their annual wage, on Tuesday.
Other companies are paying it forward. Companies associated with Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, like the ride booking company,Lyft, are donating 20 percent of each purchase to charities that support women and families.
Find out where you can snag a deal on #equalpayday https://t.co/YTEGzWgGpa #leanin #women
— Tokes (@Tokestakeonstyl) April 4, 2017
People in Maryland are using the hashtag on Twitter to start conversations about Equal Pay Day.
The women in my life are educators, scientists, IT specialists, editors, and reporters — smart ladies who work DAMN hard.
#EqualPayDay— Romey Bails (@PepperJackin74) April 4, 2017
Lol. #EqualPayDay my wife makes more money than her boss does. Not by a little either. She’s the highest paid person in her office.
— Brad r Lockman (@brad_lockman) April 4, 2017
In Maryland, the average full-time female worker earns 84 percent of what the average man makes, according to the American Association of University Women. This wage gap, of 16 percent, is the 12th smallest in the country.
Maryland women earn .84 cents for every dollar their male colleagues make. That’s why I fight for equal pay for equal work. #EqualPayDay
— John K. Delaney (@JohnKDelaneyJKD) April 4, 2017
#EqualPayDay let’s all continue to try to lower the gender wage gap! Women currently earn 80 cents on the 1 dollar earned by men. Unfair!
— Shinobi Sensei (@ShinobiSensei7) April 4, 2017
Women and families across the USA deserve #EqualPay now. This is a core economic security issue that impacts every one of us. #EqualPayDay
— Diana Fennell (@DianaMFennell) April 4, 2017
#EqualPayDay I have been subject to pay discrimination more than once…pay should be based on qualifications not gender!
— Sheri Bartholow (@Scarlettart) April 4, 2017
But this is Twitter we’re talking about, so of course not everyone is on board with the cause behind the #EqualPayDay hashtag.
#EqualPayDay shows how people are utterly STUPID when it comes to statistics. https://t.co/Kzv29mmKul
— Pica pica94 (@admirathoria) April 4, 2017
#EqualPayDay https://t.co/faaACccj0D
— Pica pica94 (@admirathoria) April 4, 2017
#EqualPayDay is a good opportunity to remind brain-dead Leftists that the “Gender Pay Gap” is largely a myth.
— Mark Romano (@TheMarkRomano) April 4, 2017
Equal pay, for equal work!! The crazy thing is that’s what is already happening!! #EqualPayDay pic.twitter.com/sKyjHwZDWj
— Josh Mocek ?? (@J_Mocek) April 4, 2017