Faith Leaders Stand for Equal Pay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2018

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MEDIA CONTACT

Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202)735-7123

Mackenzie Harris, mharris@faithinpubliclife.org, (610)283-8879

Faith Leaders Stand for Equal Pay

Washington, D.C. — Equal Pay Day underscores the wage disparities that exist between men and women in the workplace. On average, women earn only 80 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men — a gap which is even wider for women of color. As our nation commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a stalwart of economic justice, faith leaders are demanding fair pay.

Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO, Faith in Public Life, and Former Chair of the White House Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships:

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“As a minister, I’m blessed. The pay gap that ordained women face is ‘only’ 8%, compared with a much more substantial gap for women in general, and women of color in particular. Any violation of the principle ‘equal pay for equal work’ is still a violation of human dignity. It disrespects the image of God in women to be paid less and to face widespread gender discrimination. God calls us to a beloved community in which everyone is valued and respected as inherently worthy.”

Heather Taylor, Organizing and Advocacy Director, Faith in Public Life:

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“I am deeply saddened by the persistent and pervasive wage gap that leaves women and people of color undervalued in the workforce. The lack of progress made for equal pay is inexcusable. While I am no less a reflection of God’s image or deserving of fair work compensation as a woman of color, I stand to earn only 55-65 cents of every dollar paid to my white, non-Hispanic male counterparts for equal work as a full-time employee, regardless of my profession or education level. This disparity compels me to take action.”

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Faith in Public Life is a national network of nearly 50,000 clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice and the common good.