National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day brings critical awareness to the persistent wage gap faced by Black women every year. Take action by contacting elected officials, supporting organizations fighting for pay equity, and sharing vital information to close this disparity.
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History of National Black Women's Equal Pay Day
Back in 1996, an organization called the National Committee on Pay Equity declared the observation of Equal Pay Day. The coalition of labor unions, professional associations, civil rights organizations and individuals has been fighting ever since to open people’s eyes to the realities of implicit discrimination in the workplace and around the paycheck.
In the last quarter-century, the spotlight on inequality has become brighter and brighter, with a turning point in 2020 that at the very least made those oblivious to the situation more aware of the facts surrounding institutional racism and sexism, as a national dialogue about race opened up.
On average, Black women typically make just 62 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. The parental status also impacts the wage gap, with Black mothers making just 50 cents to every dollar a white father makes. The pandemic and social unrest about racial injustice have amplified existing inequities in America.
Black women are also strapped with student loans, and among those most likely to earn a postsecondary degree, with 64 percent of Black students earning bachelor’s degrees being women. While this may be positive, the financial impact is serious. For students looking for financial aid, Scholaroo has more than 100 scholarships for Black students and even more scholarships for women. These scholarships are all intended to help more Black students, women especially, pursue higher education.
National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day now attracts and holds more interest and advocacy than ever. But there is a ton of work to do. Just take one of the talking points for example. There has only ever been one Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company. By the numbers alone, that’s a dismal representation. A little more digging, and there are truly toe-curling statistics to be found. Today, help spread knowledge, raise the outcry, and join the fight.
National Black Women's Equal Pay Day timeline
The “Equal Pay Act” is passed, with the basic principle of “equal pay for equal work.”
The first Equal Pay Day comes on the scene, mobilizing forces to fight pay inequity.
Black women make up a disproportionate amount of the labor workforce, and small businesses founded by Black women grow 164 percent since 2007.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes the “Paycheck Fairness Act” to help close the race and gender gaps in pay, but the Senate lets it sit.
National Black Women's Equal Pay Day FAQs
When is National Black Women's Equal Pay Day?
National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day 2026 falls on Monday, June 1, marking how far into the year Black women must work to earn what white men earned in the previous year.
What is the current pay gap for Black women?
As of recent data, Black women typically earn 67 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. This gap is even wider for Black women with advanced degrees.
How many Black women are affected by the pay gap?
Millions of Black women across the United States are directly impacted by the wage gap, affecting their financial security, wealth accumulation, and ability to provide for their families.
Why is there a separate Equal Pay Day for Black women?
A separate day is observed for Black women because the wage gap they face is significantly larger than the overall gender pay gap, highlighting the intersectional impact of race and gender on earnings.
How to Observe Black Women’s Equal Pay Day
Join the Twitterstorm
Like it or not, a lot of activism goes a long way via the socials, and when it’s done well, it can have quite an effect. Throw in your two cents by tweeting the text given in the BWEPD toolkit. For 2020, it read, “I’m committed to ending gender and race-based pay gaps and I will keep fighting for policies that end pay discrimination in the workplace. #BlackWomensEqualPay #BlackWomenInTech.”
Hire or promote a woman of color
To ensure equality, if you’re a business owner or a hiring manager, bring an African or Black American woman into the upper ranks, and let the litmus test be merit instead of any stilted views that may exist within your company.
Have a frank discussion
If you’re White, go out of your way to talk to a friend, co-worker, or acquaintance of color, and vice-versa. Don’t let the topic of race act as a wall between you and others. Instead, discuss your differences and similarities and common experiences. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and see if the result isn’t an improvement in understanding.
5 Amazing Facts About The Paycheck Fairness Act
Legal recourse
The Paycheck Fairness Act gives employees the right to sue employers for punitive damages for wage discrimination.
A true upgrade
Unlike the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Paycheck Fairness Act puts the onus of proof on the employer — not the employee — when it comes to deciding whether discrimination has taken place.
Keep ‘em coming
The Paycheck Fairness Act was first introduced to Congress in 1997 and has been re-introduced more than fifteen times since.
Know the game
In 2012, Senator Harry Reid voted against the bill, but only as a strategic maneuver — his “nay” vote would allow the legislation to be reintroduced at a later date.
One point of view
In 2014, Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the Paycheck Fairness Act would “line the pockets of trial lawyers,” and that it wouldn’t help women.
Why National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Is Important
Equality is an American ideal
“We hold these truths to be self-evident.” Among them, that all men and women are created equal and should have equal protection under the law and the Constitution. It’s not a great logical leap to conclude that equal pay among genders and races is an integral part of that.
It’s observed in the spirit of righting a wrong
Fairness — another American ideal — is and should be the bare minimum of the aggregated rights of any American citizen, and we think anybody trying to argue pay inequity is unfair is contradicting this.
It’s about time
The gender and racial pay gap have already been around far too long. It’s time to catch up and change the status quo to something that bears more of a resemblance to true equality, all across the board.
