Dear Friend,
Today's New York Times editorial, "Governor Cuomo fights for women," commends the Governor for introducing the Women's Equality Act and says it "deserves the support of every lawmaker who is ready to do more than talk about equal rights and increased protections for women." But with excuses "already flying" on why this vital legislation may not pass this year, the newspaper calls efforts to keep the bill from a vote "legislative cowardice."
The fight to broaden and strengthen the rights of women is more important than ever on this day – the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's signing of the Equal Pay Act of 1963. At that time, the average woman worker only earned 60 percent of the average wage for men.
In New York State today, women still only earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men -- that's $500,000 less over the course of a lifetime. And the glass ceiling in the corporate world is still very much a reality – a man is 32 times more likely to become a CEO of a Fortune 500 company than a woman.
To combat pay inequity in our state, the Governor proposed the Women's Equality Act, which will strengthen the law to ensure women receive the wages they are entitled to, as well as provide increased damages if a woman is not paid equally. This is just one of the crucial issues addressed in the Governor's comprehensive 10-point plan to fight discrimination and inequality based on gender.
But we need your help to get it done. Pick up the phone, call your State Senator at 518-455-2800, and demand they support the Women's Equality Act.
No more excuses, because 50 more years is too long to wait.
Sincerely,
Barbara Bartoletti
Legislative Director
NYS League of Women Voters