To the Editor:

The federal Equal Pay Act was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. That promise of economic equality for women, however, has gone unfulfilled for 62 years, and it now seems further out of reach than ever.

 For decades, New York State has led the way in the effort to close the wage and opportunity gap with stronger state and local laws. Yet in New York today, women earn only 87 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The wage gap is even wider for Black, Latina, and Native American women in New York.  For every dollar made by a white, non-Hispanic male, these women make, respectively, $0.66, $0.60, and $0.55.

 On this Equal Pay Day, March 25, the League of Women Voters calls on our state leaders, employers, and all New Yorkers to reaffirm New York’s commitment to equality.

 To our state & local elected leaders: we expect you to continue to fight for workers’ rights as the federal government retreats. On Equal Pay Day, commit to passing and enforcing transparency laws that hold businesses accountable to equal pay requirements.

 To employers: step up efforts for equity in pay and continue to offer equal opportunities to women and marginalized groups.

 To every New Yorker: know your rights, and the rights of your fellow New Yorkers. Push your employers and government officials to enforce workplace equity.  Advocate for solutions to the persisting gender and racial pay gaps. Resist federal efforts to roll back workers’ rights. Defend anti-discrimination efforts in the workplace. Fight for “equal pay for equal work” for everyone!

Kathleen Stein, President

League of Women Voters of St. Lawrence County