[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 3, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EQUAL PAY AND THE DISPARITY IN WAGES 
                     PAID TO MEN AND TO BLACK WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALMA S. ADAMS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 3, 2021

  Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I introduced a resolution to recognize 
today, August 3, 2021, as Black Women's Equal Pay Day.
  Two-hundred and fourteen days--that's how long into 2021 that Black 
women have to work to earn the same wage paid to white, non-Hispanic 
men. Black women are being paid 63 cents for every dollar white, non-
Hispanic men are being paid.
  The crossroads at which black women stand, between two walls of 
prejudice, one for race and one for gender, are unique and deserve 
singular attention. The toil and struggle of Black women stretches over 
centuries, and the acknowledgement of this has been too little, too 
late.
  That is why I am introducing this Resolution to recognize August 3, 
2021 as Black Women's Equal Pay Day. Because the value of those thirty-
seven cents is so much more than thirty-seven cents.
  It is equality, dignity, and independence.
  America was founded upon imperfect equality, inequality, as we all 
recognize. But as America's history has shown us thus far, its arc of 
history bends towards equality.
  I fervently urge my colleagues to examine the pressing issue of pay 
disparity that Black women face. When Black women are not paid equal 
wages, the negative impacts of lower pay are profound: lower pay 
impacts the lifelong ability of a Black women to pay for her education, 
her health, and food for her family.
  Let this Resolution be the penny that brings forth great ripples of 
change.

                          ____________________