American Association of University Women (AAUW) helping to end the gender wage gap since 1881.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is an organization set on bringing down the gender wage gap. This organization was started in 1881 and its goal is to end workplace discrimination and open opportunities for women in the workplace. AAUW states, “Despite civil rights laws and advancements in women’s economic status, workplace discrimination still persists” (p.3). Even if numerous laws are enacted, many companies are not following these protocols. Most companies forbid their employees from talking about their wages, leading to them not knowing about the gap in their income. Race is also a factor in the gender wage gap where women of color are paid less than their Caucasion counterparts. Early in a woman’s career, they face a wage gap of 20% and go on to lose millions of dollars throughout their whole lives. The abundant loss of money leads to women not being able to support their families, paying off debts, or unable to have stable retirementment savings. AAUW are pushing for strong pay equity legislation and full enforcement of current laws. They hold programs and workshops to teach women how to negotiate for a higher wage. AAUW empowers women by educating and giving them the skills they need to fight gender inequality in the workplace.
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AAUW Issues: Equal Pay. American Association of University Women, 2018, https://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/public-policy/aauw-issues/gender-pay-gap/. Assessed 1 Dec. 2019