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October 1, 2020

Ms. Foundation Issues Statement on Native Women’s Equal‌ ‌Pay‌ ‌Day‌

Ms. Foundation for Women on Native Women’s Equal‌ ‌Pay‌ ‌Day‌ ‌

NEW YORK (October 1, 2020) – Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger released the following statement on Native Women’s Equal Pay Day:

“Today, we acknowledge Native Women’s Equal Pay Day. Native women earn 57 cents to every dollar that white men earn, and this day represents the full nine months into the year, 22 months in total, that they need to work to ea\r\n \the equivalent pay that the average white man received the previous year. 

“This pay gap, due to racial and gender discrimination as well as structural inequalities, is even worse this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified the struggle for economic security in Native communities, and Native women endure it tenfold and have for centuries. 

“Because of the current crisis of missing and murdered Native women, they face these issues head-on and in dwindling numbers, with little-to-no-attention from media or law enforcement. With tribal businesses halted and their services in peril, the economic impact of COVID-19 on Native American communities could be devastating. Within their matriarchal societies, Native women have no other option but to stretch their incomes as they advocate for their worth.

“The Ms. Foundation for Women and our grantee-partners commend Native women within their communities who are rebuilding and speaking out against the numerous systems of oppression that impact their lives, and we join them in solidarity in their fight for equal pay. “

Ms. Foundation spokespeople are available for interviews by phone or video from NYC. To schedule, please contact Sunshine Sachs at [email protected].

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For over 45 years, the Ms. Foundation for Women has worked to build women’s collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. The Ms. Foundation invests in and strengthens the capacity of women-led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural, and economic change in women’s lives. With equity and inclusion as the cornerstones of true democracy, the Ms. Foundation works to create a world in which the worth and dignity of every person are valued, and power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.