In 2009, women working full-time, year-round were paid 77 cents on average for every dollar paid to men — which, on average, translates to a loss of over $10,000 a year. The figures are even worse for women of color. African American women only earned approximately 61 cents and Latinas only 52 cents for each dollar earned by a white male.
Despite federal laws banning workplace discimination on the basis of sex, women in this country are consistently paid less than men in the same job. On top of that, women often face discrimination in hiring and promotion, especially in more male-dominated fields, limiting access to higher-paying positions, and multiplying the effect of the wage gap.
Whether in Congress or the courts, the ACLU is committed to fighting pay and promotion disparity for women. By pushing legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act and lawsuits that hold employers accountable for discrimination against women, the ACLU is working to make equal pay for equal work a reality.