Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44)  introduced the Latina Equal Pay Day Resolution to recognize the disparity in wages paid to Latinas, the significance of equal pay, and its larger impact on women, families, and the economy. 

Video of Latina women in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) supporting the Latina Equal Pay Day resolution available HERE. 

“Mis hermanas, Senator Cortez Masto y Congresswoman Barragán, y yo, decidimos que ya basta, so we introduced the Latina Equal Pay Resolution to recognize the disparities, unequal, and  unfair treatment of women, especially Latinas, who are undervalued and underpaid,” said Leger Fernández. “We need to acknowledge that Latinas play a huge role in our economy, especially our care economy, and recommit to closing the gender and racial wage. Latinas deserve equal pay NOW.” 

“Pay disparities experienced by women, and especially Latinas and women of color, show that the contributions we make to society are consistently undervalued,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “In many Latina families, the women of the family are the sole economic providers. It takes several additional months for a Latina woman to make the equivalent of a white man – this harms the economic stability of our households and communities. I am proud to lead on this resolution that reaffirms Congress’ commitment to closing the pay gap. Ha llegado el momento de que las latinas reciban igualdad de salarios!”

“Latinas have helped build this country, and their contributions should be reflected in their pay,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev). “As the first and only Latina in the United State Senate, I will always advocate for equal pay for equal work and am proud to lead this resolution.”

On Latina Equal Pay Day, we recognize the wage gap that Latina women face on average to finally earn what White non-Hispanic men were paid in the previous calendar year. More than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Latina women working full-time, year-round, as well as part-time earn only 54 cents for every dollar paid to White non-Hispanic men. Latina women who work full time year-round only earn 57 cents to the dollar. 

The resolution is co-sponsored by over 40 members, including Raul Ruiz (D-CA-36), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-40), and Norma Torres (D-CA-35). 

"On this Latina Equal Pay Day 2022, millions of Latinas and our allies around the country demand change and action. Latinas make significant contributions to our country every single day, despite the fact that we are being vastly undervalued and underpaid," said Mónica Ramírez, founder of Justice for Migrant Women and an organizer of the Latina Equal Pay campaign. "We must mark Latina Equal Pay Day and this injustice. It is long past time that we receive the same pay, benefits, and opportunities that white, male non-Hispanic workers are afforded in this country.  It is absolutely shameful that all Latinas with reported earnings are paid an average of just 54 cents to the dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. We call on political leaders and business leaders to make the change that is required to rectify this serious problem." 

The resolution is also supported by over 50 organizations, including Justice for Migrant Women, Equal Rights Advocates, Columbus Women's Commission, Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Center for Advancement of Public Policy, GreenLatinos, Michigan Pay Equity Network (P.E.N.), Advancing Latinas into Leadership, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, Philadelphia Coalition of Labor Union Women, PowHer New York, National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives (NAHFE), United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, National Hispanic Medical Association, Esperanza United (Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network), Women's Law Project, Better Life Lab at New America, SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc., United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Hispanic Federation, Michigan Pay Equity Network (P.E.N.), American GI Forum of the US, A Better Balance, American Association of University Women, National Hispanic Media Coalition, Mi Familia Vota, Farmworker Justice, UnidosUS, MANA, A National Latina Organization, NALEO Educational Fund, Family Values @ Work, MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces, Institute for Women's Policy Research, Legal Momentum, The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, The Women's Economic Institute, Inc, National Committee on Pay Equity, AnitaB.org, National Council of Jewish Women, National Women's Law Center, SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Employment Law Project, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), Methodist Federation for Social Action , League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), LatinoJustice PRLDEF, YWCA USA, William C. Velasquez Institute, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project. 

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