Tennis star Serena Williams has raised her voice in a call for black women to demand equal pay.
She writes on an article published July 31 on Fortune, "Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day. This day shines a light on the long-neglected fact the the gender pay gap hits women of color the hardest."
She continues to state the how black women are 37 cents behind men in the pay gap, whereas the men are 63 cents ahead, writing further that "black women earn 17% less than their white female counterparts."
"Together," she says, "we will change the story---but we are going to have to fight for every penny."
The tennis star proceeds to give statistics about American opinion on the pay gap. She partnered with SurveyMonkey and found out that:
- Sixty-nine percent of black women perceive a pay gap, while just 44% of white men recognize the issue.
- Nearly two-thirds of black women say that major obstacles remain for women in the workplace.
- In addition to gender, black women see obstacles to racial equality: three-quarters of black women workers say there are still significant hurdles holding back minorities.
- Still, some black women remain optimistic: more than 43% of black millenial women believe men and women have equal opportunities for promotion.
The athlete opens up about her experiences, sharing how she was told that she would not be able to accomplish her dreams because of her gender and her color. She opens up about racism on and off the court, speaking up on the condition of black women in the workplace.
In her closing words in the article, she writes, "Black women: Be fearless. Speak out for equal pay. Every time you do, you're making it a little easier for a woman behind you. Most of all, know that you're worth it. It can take a long time to realize that. It took me a long time to realize it. But we are all worth it. I've long said, 'You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.'"
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:8-9
