Today is Latina Equal Pay Day. Every year, we use this day to bring awareness back to a subject that matters: how much are we getting paid compared to others, and who do we support to help advocate for our rights?

According to the Justice for Migrant Women’s 10th Anniversary Report, there’s a lot to cover this year. For example, did you know that it’s estimated that Latinas earn 54 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic males? This translates to this hard truth: if you’re a Latina working full-time and year-round, you make 58 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men, per Justice for Migrant Women and Equal Rights Advocates.

And this is just the overall pay gap. More information was found in the recent data. The research also found that Latinas with a high school diploma earn 54 cents for every dollar as compared to white, non-Hispanic men. If you’re a Latina with some college or five or more years of college, it’s estimated that you’d earn 58 cents for every dollar a white male makes. For the Latinas with a professional degree, you’ll make an average of 39 cents for every dollar made by white men. Yes, even with a college degree or a leadership position, the gap remains wide.

This is why we need to put our feet down. This is why we need to bring awareness to our wages. It’s time to reflect, share, and advocate for our rights. 

Who is advocating for equal pay?

Check out and follow these leaders: 

• Mónica Ramírez, who is the President and Founder of Justice for Migrant Women. The group specializes in connecting pay equity to systemic injustices.
• Lisa Vidal, Co-Founder of Latinas Acting Up. The group focuses on awareness and collective fightback.
• Noreen Farrell of Equal Rights Advocates. The group focuses on the decade of progress made through organizing.
• Joi Chaney of J.O.I. Strategies. The organization specializes on centering the voices and lived experiences of Latina women.

What we need moving forward

The research calls for expansion of data collection on pay gaps across identities; strengthening labor and civil rights enforcement; a modernization of the 1963 Equal Pay Act (and no discussion of wages), and more commitment from employers to pay equally.

By doing this and paying Latinas a fair wage, the aforementioned data reveals that poverty rates will decrease, families will gain stability, and businesses will grow.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about opportunity, wealth, and visibility. When Latinas thrive – families, businesses, and communities thrive.