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This year, Thursday, August 22, is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, which marks how long a black woman has to work into 2019 to catch up to the same amount a white man made in 2018. The day is months later than National Equal Pay Day, which marks the same thing for women generally. Nationally, black women working full time, year-round earn 64 cents to each dollar earned by a white man. This gap is much wider than the 80 cents white women earn for every dollar made by a man. This is why the Columbus Women’s Commission continues to focus on this issue, growing the Columbus Commitment through new adopters and offering resources and support for addressing the gender and race-based wage gap. We understand the fight to close pay disparities between men and women must include women of all races and we must continue to work toward 100% pay equity by not only starting the conversation but taking action - at work and with employers, as well as within our own homes and local communities. There are many opportunities to bring awareness to the gender and race-based pay gap issue - see how you can join us and take action too!
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Volunteer at a local non-profit that supports women in our community
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Ideas to get you started: Dress for Success, New Directions Career Center, YWCA, CelebrateOne, Amethyst, MaryHaven, Community Shelter Board, Planned Parenthood
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Be a Social Media Ambassador –as part of a national effort, join the Social Media storm on August 22 to bring awareness to the day.
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Has your employer signed the Commitment? Encourage your organization to sign on to the Columbus Commitment and join over 200 local employers who have joined us in this journey!
- On August 22, we are hosting a coffee & conversation to discuss the larger disparity black women face in the fight for equal pay and the importance of acknowledging this while creating workplace policies. Signing the pledge allows your company to access our FREE learning events!
We know that this persistent, pervasive wage gap is driven in part by a lack of workplace policies that support women and particularly, with women of color. When we launched the Columbus Commitment that is exactly what we intended to tackle & dismantle, together, along with our Columbus Commitment Adopters. On August 22, we are hosting a Coffee & Conversation on Workplace Culture & Intersectionality where adopters are invited to learn more about intersectionality and how to be intentional while creating workplace policies to include everyone and encourage gender equity. We will hear from a panel of local leaders and engage in a conversation on what organizations can do to create equity.
The panel is moderated by Gale King, Nationwide, Donna James, Lardon & Associates, Marlon Moore, Huntington National Bank and Letha Pugh, Bake Me Happy.
Join us by adopting The Columbus Commitment today!
Last week, the City of Columbus released the Disparity Study in partnership with Mason Tillman. This was the first disparity study conducted for the City of Columbus since 1992. Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion released the study to measure the disparity in city prime contracts and subcontracts between 2012 and 2015.
This is the first step in evaluating the city’s engagement with minority- and women-owned companies and creates a path forward to addressing these disparities.
The study found that statistically significant disparities exist for African-American businesses, Asian American businesses, Hispanic American businesses and Native American businesses in prime contracts. The study also reported an underutilization of women-owned businesses on contracts over $100,000. In addition, the study showed disparities for African-American, Asian American and women-owned businesses for subcontracts.
Over the next six to nine months, the city, with input from the community will determine which recommendations from the report will make the greatest impact towards making Columbus America’s Equal Opportunity City.
Read more HERE.
OhioHealth
OhioHealth announced it will raise its minimum, starting wage from $12 per hour to $15 per hour, across the system, effective November 3, of this year.
Additionally, associates earning just above the $15 minimum starting wage will receive a pay adjustment to preserve their relative placement in their pay grade. In total, more than 9,600 associates will receive a pay increase as a result of this change.
OhioHealth currently has more than 4,200 associates who earn less than $15 per hour. Moving from $12 to $15 per hour will increase annual compensation for a full-time employee (FTE) by 25 percent, from $24,960 to $31,200 per year.
We thank OhioHealth for taking a step toward economic security for their employees and making change in our Columbus community.
Read more HERE.
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WELD
Congratulations to WELD, a Columbus Commitment Adopter, on their selection by Columbus Business First as a 2019 Outstanding Diversity Organization (Micro category). This shows excellence in encouraging diversity in age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion at local work places. Thank you to Barb Smoot & the WELD team in your work to advance and drive diversity, inclusion and equity in Columbus.
Read more HERE.
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“Having a period and going to the bathroom are bodily functions that no one can prevent and if anything, when we do not provide and accommodate for menstrual products, it adds to the stigma of periods that make young girls feel ashamed for no reason.”-- Columbus City Council member Elizabeth Brown.
Columbus City Council passed new legislation to provide free menstrual products in all city recreation centers. After piloting the program in select recreation centers and homeless shelters over the last few years, Council voted to expand to all centers. The legislation will provide $14,000 to the Department of Recreation and Parks to stock supplies in all 29 of the city’s recreation centers.
Thank you to Councilmember and Columbus Women’s Commission Commissioner, Elizabeth Brown for spearheading this important initiative toward equity!
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Words Matter but actions to fight racism matter more
Last month, President Donald Trump made comments about four members of Congress—all women of color— that many felt was filled with racism and cultural insensitivity.
We applaud Christie Angel, President & CEO of the YWCA Columbus and Columbus Women’s Commission Commissioner on speaking out and taking a stand against racism.
“Yes, we should be upset by the words that were spoken by our president — they go against everything we stand for as a country. But we need to be just as upset about the systems of marginalization that, unchecked, have led to a staggering racial and gender wealth gap, affordable housing crises across the country, increased poverty and more.” Angel says.
Read the full article & learn what steps you can take toward action HERE.
Read more HERE.
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Paid family and medical leave (PFML) policies enable workers to take partially- or fully-compensated time away from work to care for a family member’s or their own serious or chronic health condition, or to care for or bond with an infant or recently adopted or fostered child. U.S. families are facing a caregiving crisis that current laws fail to fully address. PL+US new report in partnership with Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality highlights what science tells us families actually need in a national policy, including robust caregiving leave.
Read more HERE.
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Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Social Media Storm-August 22. We invite you to participate in a national social media storm to start the conversation surrounding Equal Pay Day. Participate by using the hashtags #DemandMore, #BlackWomensEqualPayDay, and #CBUSWomen. |
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State of Black Education –August 13. Ohio is among the six lowest states in the nation to graduate black students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Join the Columbus African Council and other community partners for a conversation on the state of black education, and how as individuals and community leaders, we can set a course for a more prosperous future throughout the African Diaspora in Columbus. Learn more HERE. |
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City of Columbus African American Cultural Festival—August 23 & 24. The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, with support from the Department of Neighborhoods, present the third annual African-American Cultural Festival Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24, 2019. Hosted in the heart of the Historic Bronzeville District, a variety of live music, spoken word and dance performances highlight the third annual African-American Cultural Festival. Visual artists, a kids’ fun zone and more will help round out the day. Admission is FREE. Learn more HERE. |
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Big Table Conversation: 100 Voices for Equity—Wednesday, August 28. Come learn about the gender and racial wealth gap, why it matters and share your voice and story at a Big Table Conversation on the Gender and Racial wealth gap. The Columbus Women’s Commission is proud to be a co-host along with wonderful organizations around Columbus committed to changing the stories for families in Columbus. Learn more & Register HERE. |
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Ohio Sex Education Summit—Friday, October 11. Join the Ohio Center for Sex Education and individuals working directly in the field of sexual health and education to learn more about sexual health education and the importance of access to quality sex education. During the Summit, participants will attend a morning session with nationally-recognized sex education experts as well as afternoon sessions which will focus on best practices and research addressing sexuality health education for various communities and stakeholders. Learn more & register HERE. |
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Holy Callings Summit—Tuesday, September 10 and Wednesday, September 11. This two-day event is for faith leaders of all traditions and stakeholders within faith communities to discuss reproductive justice and access to contraception, among other topics. This summit aims to shift the conversation and engage in compassionate teaching and advocacy around sexual education. Learn more HERE. |
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Dispatch: Group promotes efforts of local black businesses
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Dispatch: Public-private partnership to study central Ohio affordable housing
BBC: Saudi Arabia allows women to travel independently
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