Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM),  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.

“We need the world to know that Latinas get paid 54 cents to the dollar paid to white males in the United States. That’s simply not fair. It’s not just and it’s not equal,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “We call attention to this because we must fix it. When Latinas are underpaid across different industries and backgrounds, it makes it hard to afford life. The affordability crisis that the Republican government shutdown has created will hit Latino families especially hard. Latinas deserve to get equal pay now.”

The resolution is cosponsored in the House by Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO-05), J. Luis Correa (D-CA-46), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), Landsman (D-OH-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-36), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Linda Sanchez (D-CA-38), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Tran (D-CA-45), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-30)

“Latinas are the backbone of the US workforce, yet according to data based on 2024 earnings, we are still paid an average of just 54 cents for every dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic men, with those in rural communities or immigrants being paid as little as 43 cents," said Mónica Ramírez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women. "Over a 40-year career, this wage gap costs a Latina worker more than $1.2 million. This isn’t only a personal loss; it slows economic growth, limits opportunity for families and communities, as well as the nation. True pay equity requires dismantling systemic barriers and implementing policies that recognize the unique challenges Latinas face across sectors and backgrounds."

"On this 10th anniversary of Latina Equal Pay Day, LCLAA stands with Trabajadoras who continue to face the injustice of earning only 54 cents to the dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. This is not a gap in talent or ambition—it is a gap in fairness, rooted in inequities that devalue Latina labor across every sector of our economy. For over a decade, we have organized, fought wage theft, demanded pay transparency, uplifted Latina voices, and fought for union solutions that deliver real equity. We refuse to wait another century for justice. Equal pay is not charity—it is overdue compensation, and LCLAA will not rest until every Latina worker and every Latina family earns the dignity, equity, and prosperity they deserve,” said Karla Pineda, LCLAA Executive Director. 

“En este 10º aniversario del Día de Igualdad Salarial para las Latinas, LCLAA se mantiene firme junto a las Trabajadoras que continúan enfrentando la injusticia de ganar solo 54 centavos por cada dólar pagado a los hombres blancos no hispanos. Esta no es una brecha de talento o de ambición—es una brecha de justicia, arraigada en inequidades que devalúan el trabajo de las latinas en todos los sectores de nuestra economía. Durante más de una década, hemos organizado, combatido el robo de salarios, exigido transparencia salarial, elevado las voces de las latinas y luchado por soluciones sindicales que ofrezcan verdadera equidad. Nos negamos a esperar otro siglo por justicia. La igualdad salarial no es caridad—es compensación atrasada, y LCLAA no descansará hasta que cada trabajadora latina y cada familia latina gane la dignidad, la equidad y la prosperidad que se merecen,”dijo Karla Pineda, Directora Ejecutiva de LCLAA.

"On behalf of Equal Pay Today, a project of Equal Rights Advocates, I am so honored to partner with Congresswoman Leger Fernández and Senator Cortez Masto, Justice for Migrant Women, LCLAA, and advocates around the country to call attention each year to the egregious and ongoing wage gaps Latina workers must labor under every day. It is unacceptable for Latinas to bring home only about half of what white, non-Hispanic men do. It is not just about less pay for equal work. We know that Latinas are more likely to work in poverty wage jobs. Some are forced from jobs without paid leave or pregnancy accommodations when they need to care for families. Many - especially undocumented immigrant workers most vulnerable to abuse - experience income disruption and barriers to advancement as they navigate sexual harassment and assault in their workplace. We will not stop our work to achieve pay equity and workplace protections for all." – Noreen Farrell, Executive Director of Equal Rights Advocates & Chair of Equal Pay Today.

"We are grateful to Congresswoman Leger Fernández and Senator Cortez Masto for introducing this resolution in recognition of Latina Equal Pay Day and the tenth anniversary of the Latina Equal Pay Day campaign this year. Despite excelling in every sector and industry in our country, Latinas continue to face some of the most severe pay gaps, dramatically impacting their economic well-being. Yet, Latinas are overrepresented in industries that both under pay and under protect them from exploitation and wage theft. Worse still, the ongoing attacks on immigrant communities are only exacerbating the pay disparities for Latina workers by making it unsafe and risky for many to even attend work. We must continue to unite to address these glaring injustices impacting Latina workers and advocate to protect our communities, so all may work in dignity bringing home what they rightfully have earned." - Deborah J. Vagins, National Campaign Director with Equal Rights Advocates & Director of Equal Pay Today.

The resolution is endorsed by the following organizations: Equal Rights Advocates & Equal Pay Today Campaign, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), LatinoJustice PRLDEF, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Shriver Center on Poverty Law,  MANA, A National Latina Organization, National Employment Law Project, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Council of Jewish Women, PowHer New York, Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, Legal Momentum, The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Organization for Women, Women Employed, MomsRising, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Justice for Migrant Women, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project-FLAP, UnidosUS, She Votes Illinois, Candela La Brea, VIVA SHOP, Institute for Women's Policy Research, The Konsult Group, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Hispanic Federation, Center on Law and Social Policy, A Better Balance, Family Values @ Work, Women Employed, Believe Center Inc, National Education Association, YWCA USA, Ruby Garcia Coaching, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.