Rep. Doris Matsui Recognizes the Importance of Equal Pay Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA 05) recognized the importance of Equal Pay Day, a day designed to mark the ongoing struggle of attaining equal pay for female workers across America by releasing the following statement:

Each year, Equal Pay Day highlights the continuing presence of pay discrimination in the workplace. With the passage of the Equal Pay Act by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, millions of working women looked to a day when women could earn a wage equal to that of men. Nearly five decades later, women continue to make only 77 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts, and its slow improvement highlights the ongoing struggle for equality in the workplace.

Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Fairness Act. This comprehensive bill updates the 46-year-old Equal Pay Act, bringing equal pay laws in line with civil right laws. Since then, Congress cleared the final legislation for the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which restores the right of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay in the court. As the first major bill signed into law by President Obama, this critical piece of legislation marked a significant step towards equal pay for equal work.

However, our work must not end here. Today is an opportunity to renew our commitment to equal pay for women in every workplace.