Black women might be the breadwinners in their households, are the most educated group in the United States, and are leading the pack in business ownership — the number of businesses owned by Black women increased 178 percent in 10 years — but our paychecks are considerably less than our male counterparts.
In fact, Black women make about 63 cents on every White man’s dollar. To put that in perspective, “it would take half a year’s additional work for Black women in America to close the wage gap,” former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett wrote in a piece shining light on the disparities that have long-plagued Black families.
She’s not alone.
On Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (July 31), a number of celebrities and influences used their platforms to uplift their sisters in the workplace. From Remy Ma to Serena Williams, here’s what your favorite celeb had to say about fighting to close the wage gap and encouraging Black women to demand what they are worth.
Issa Rae is practicing what she preaches — not only is she repping Black Women’s Equal Pay Day on Twitter, she also employs a tribe of Black women on her hit HBO show, ‘Insecure.’
Laverne has been busy calling out the hyper-masculinity that endangers the lives of our trans sisters (in the wake of hateful comments made on a particular radio show last week), but she still found the time to advocate for equal pay. Talk about a super woman!
“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,” the actress and constant advocate for Black women posted on Twitter.
In a poignant Twitter stream, the California Senator brought to light just how dangerous the wage gap can be. “This is about families – eight out of every ten Black mothers are their family’s breadwinner. They deserve fair pay,” she tweeted.
“Black women are the cornerstone of our communities, they are phenomenal & they deserve equal pay,” the rapper wrote on Twitter.
“Black women are the anchor of our communities, phenomenal & DESERVE equal pay #RisingTideLiftsAllBoats,” the college-bound teen wrote on Twitter.
This mama-to-be is no stranger to sticking up for Black women. “July 31 is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day,” she wrote on Twitter, echoing Remy Ma. “Black women are the cornerstone of our communities, they are phenomenal, and they deserve equal pay.”
“It is unacceptable that 23.5 million Black women are robbed of an equal opportunity for prosperity,” the former Barack Obama advisor wrote in a piece on Refinery 29. “I know these women. They are my family. They are my neighbors. They are my fellow citizens.”
