California Leaders Comment on Equal Pay
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
“Forty years after the Equal Pay Act was signed into law, American women today earn approximately 75 cents to the same dollar American men earn. This gap is even wider for African American women who earn 66 cents and Hispanic women earning only 54 cents to that same dollar. I want to see the day when we no longer have to explain to our daughters and granddaughters why they do the same work for less pay.”
http://eshoo.house.gov/
Congressman Mike Honda
“I look forward to the day when there will be no more 'Equal Pay Day' because every person, regardless of their gender, race or ethnicity, will be receiving equal pay for equal work.”
http://honda.house.gov/
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
“As one of 61 female Members of Congress, I actively support efforts to make women’s issues part of the national political agenda, and support the key concept of equal pay for women. Equal Pay Day is important because it draws attention to the injustice of women being paid 77% of the dollar paid to men.”
http://www.house.gov/lofgren/
California State Senator Joe Simitian
“Equal pay for equal work. It’s just that simple. Until and unless we create a system that rewards productivity without regard to gender, we still have work to do. Until and unless we ensure that the workplace recognizes worth rather than gender, we still have work to do. Let’s get it done, and let’s get it done now.”
www.senatorsimitian.com
California State Assembly Member Jim Beall
“Breaking the barriers that still exist for equal pay for women means putting the money where your mouth is. I'm proud to have been a strong supporter since the early 1980's when San Jose became the first large city in the United States to adopt and fund a pay equity program. Santa Clara County has also had significant pay equity salary improvements, which I encouraged. Treating your employees fairly and equally is good business.”
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a24
California State Assembly Member Sally Lieber
“Over the length of her career, the average woman will make over a half a million dollars less than the average man. Wage inequality means less stability and fewer opportunities for families. California’s women need equal pay—to meet their families’ needs, to be fairly compensated for their work and to increase equality in all aspects of their lives.”
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a22/
Santa Clara County Supervisor Blanca Alvarado
“While it is true that substantial progress has been made with respect to women's rights during the last 20 years, Supervisor Alvarado believes that it is also true that women's advocacy is still vitally necessary, perhaps more so than in the past, to address new and emerging threats to women, especially minority women. Some of the most significant threats that continue to challenge women include the advent of welfare reform, the end of affirmative action, the growing population of elderly women, and the increase of domestic violence and sexual harassment.”
http://www.blancaalvarado.org/mainpage.html
Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss
“Equal Pay Day is important because it forces us to recognize that still, today, women are paid about 3/4 of what men are paid overall. All of us, as American leaders, employers and educators, must think about this injustice, recognize its reality, and act to overcome it.”
http://www.lizkniss.org/
Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager
“Our great nation has best demonstrated its justice and sense of equality
for all during the social movements for women's suffrage, civil rights, and
gay rights. Now, we must continue our obligation by ensuring that equal
work receives equal pay. The time has passed when women are treated
separately for doing the same job as a man.”
http://www.supervisoryeager.org
San Jose City Mayor Chuck Reed
“The United States would not have the strongest economy in the world without the economic contribution of women. The gender pay gap is a measure of how much stronger we could be if we able to fully employ the skills and energies of our women without the drag of inequality that holds back our economy. Equal Pay Day reminds us of how far we still need to go.”
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/mayor/
San Jose City Councilmember Nora Campos
“It is astonishing in this day and age that there is a large wage gap between women and men. As we move forward together, it is imperative that we continue to lead efforts aimed at reducing this gap, if not for us then for our daughters.”
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/district5/
San Jose City Councilmember Forrest Williams
“Equal pay for equal work is fundamental. It is a guiding principle and practice for me. I believe in it and will continue to work to make equal pay for equal work a reality.”
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/district2/
