Rep. White Marks Women's Equality Day by Calling for Equal Pay and Greater Economic Security for Women

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Township) today marked Women’s Equality Day by highlighting the continued wage gap facing women and calling for stronger protections to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work.

More than six decades after passage of the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963, women working full time continue to earn approximately 83 cents for every dollar earned by men.

“Women do not work 83 percent as hard. We do not bring 83 percent of the talent. We do not carry 83 percent of the responsibility. So we should not receive only 83 percent of the pay,” said Rep. White.

Rep. White emphasized that unequal pay affects women far beyond an individual paycheck, limiting the ability to save, purchase a home, support a family, build wealth, and prepare for retirement.

“A pay gap today becomes a wealth gap tomorrow,” continued Rep. White. “And that gap is not confined to a woman’s working years. When women earn less throughout their careers, they may also retire with lower Social Security or pension benefits. A pay gap during her working years can become a retirement gap for the rest of her life.”

Rep. White also highlighted the important role organized labor has played in narrowing wage disparities through collective bargaining agreements that establish transparent wage scales and enforceable workplace protections.

“As a former union worker and union leader, I know firsthand what collective bargaining can accomplish,” added Rep. White. “In the labor movement, we have had to bargain for fairness. Collective bargaining has shown us that fairness is possible, but fairness should not have to be bargained for.”

Rep. White emphasized that union contracts can provide workers with clear standards for wages and workplace protections, but women should not have to belong to a union or file a grievance simply to receive equitable compensation.

“A woman should not have to belong to a union, file a grievance, or sit across a bargaining table simply to receive equal pay for equal work,” said Rep. White. “Equal pay should not be a special benefit secured by a contract. It should be the standard in every workplace.”

Rep. White noted that unequal pay has consequences not only for women, but also for families, local communities, and the broader economy.

“When women earn less, families have less to spend, less to save, and less to invest in their future,” continued Rep. White. “When women are underpaid, families lose income, communities lose economic power, and our entire economy loses potential.”

Rep. White said Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity not only to recognize the progress women have made, but also to recommit to economic equality, pay transparency, strong worker protections, and the ability of women to build long-term financial security.

“Economic equality is not achieved merely by allowing women into the workplace,” concluded Rep. White. “True equality means valuing our work equally once we arrive.”