Women are constantly paid less than men in Indiana and other states, and Equal Pay Day today (Tuesday) aims to call attention to the fact.
April 14th, today, represents how far into the new year a woman needs to work in order to match the amount of money a man made in the previous year.
When the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was signed into law, women were making only 59 cents for every dollar a man made. And while the ratio is improving, the pay gap is not expected to close until 2058. Last month, the Paycheck Fairness Act was introduced in both houses of Congress. It would help close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and help narrow the gap.
Experts say the pay gap occurs in every occupation and education level, and includes women with or without children. Experts also say women of color earn even less.
The Y-W-C-A is encouraging women to wear red today to symbolize how women are “in the red” with their earnings.