Today is Fair Pay Day. Today, as an average woman, I will finally earn what an average man made in 2008. Took me almost 4 more months to get even. That's because I make 78 cents for every $1 a man makes. But at least I am Caucasian, if I were African American I would only earn 69 cents and, even worse, if I were Hispanic, I would only earn 59 cents.

Are things improving. No. For example:

In 2006, women physicians earned 72% of their male counterparts.
Women in sales were at 64%.
Women in construction at 86%.
Women in computer and mathematical occupations at 85%.

While we applaud President Obama for signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, this law simply reinstates rights we had previously before a shocking Supreme Court decision.

We cannot continue this discrimination against women. Especially when women are often the sole providers in many households. Equal pay for equal work. What's so shocking about that?
What's so frightening about that? What's so hard about that?

Ladies (and gentlemen). Let's all stand up and make it happen. We can start by demanding the passage of the The Paycheck Fairness Act, It would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages. The bill also allows women to receive the same remedies for sex-based pay discrimination that are currently available to those subject to discrimination based on race and national origin.

Now, I need to go back to work. My earnings for 2009 are just beginning. And I am already 4 months behind! Reminds me of the guinea pig on that wheel! OK, no wheel. I just learned those are really bad for guinea pigs...maybe worse than pay discrimination for women???

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen.com