Fair wages should be a high priority

To the editor:

On March 6, the Paycheck Fairness Act was re-introduced in the U.S. Congress by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.).

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, women continue to receive unequal pay for the same work. On average women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man makes.

On Tuesday, April 22, 2008 the Licking Valley Business Professional Women (BPW), a local organization, will join thousands of women from across the United States in a national day of action against unfair pay called Equal Pay Day.

Because women earn less, we must work longer for the same pay. April signifies the point into the next year that a woman must work in order to earn the wages paid to a man in the previous year.

According to the AFL-CIO, over a 40 year career, the average 25-year-old woman who works full-time will earn approximately $523,000 less than the average man, if current wage patterns continue. As working women, we are extremely concerned about pay inequity not only for present, but for our future family members.

Fair pay takes real change and we can make a difference. Here in Cynthiana/Harrison County we will join hundreds of other BPW/USA members across the nation to educate women and men about pay inequity and to offer solutions to wage discrimination.

Locally, BPW members will be accepting a Proclamation from, Cynthiana Mayor Jim Brown, Harrison County Judge-Executive Alex Barnett and Berry Mayor Don Adams, acknowledging Tuesday, April 22 as Equal Pay Day in Cynthiana, Berry and Harrison County. The proclamation will further encourage the business community to review their pay practices and to perform an equal pay self-audit provided by the U.S. Department of Labors Womenomics Bureau.

Starting April 21, the Licking Valley BPW will fly its Equal Pay Day banner at the Harrison County courthouse in support of Equal Pay Day across the nation.

Sonja Olin, member

Licking Valley Business Professional Women