This concurrent resolution officially recognizes Black Women's Equal Pay Day to highlight the significant and persistent wage disparity Black women face compared to White, non-Hispanic men.
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Senator
DE
This concurrent resolution officially recognizes the significance of equal pay and highlights the persistent wage disparity faced by Black women compared to White, non-Hispanic men. It designates July 10, 2025, as Black Women's Equal Pay Day to draw attention to the economic losses caused by this gap. The resolution underscores that closing this disparity is vital for the economic stability and wealth-building of Black women and their families.
Congress Recognizes Black Women's Equal Pay Day, Highlighting $1 Million Career Loss
This Concurrent Resolution doesn't change any laws, but it serves as Congress’s official statement that the wage gap for Black women is a serious problem. Specifically, it recognizes July 10, 2025, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day—the day into the new year that Black women must work just to earn what White, non-Hispanic men earned in the previous year.
The resolution is a formal acknowledgment of the stark reality: Black women working full-time earn only 66 cents for every dollar earned by a White man. This isn't just an abstract statistic; the resolution spells out that this disparity costs the median Black woman worker nearly $1,019,200 in lost earnings over a 40-year career. The document is essentially Congress saying, "We see the data, and the data is bad."
The Million-Dollar Question: What the Gap Means for Your Wallet
When we talk about nearly $1 million in lost earnings, that’s money that affects everything from retirement security to everyday expenses. The resolution highlights that if the pay gap were closed, that extra income could cover over two years of tuition at a public university or pay off the average federal student loan debt in under two years. For the 69 percent of Black mothers who are the main or sole breadwinners for their families, this isn't just about fairness—it’s about economic survival and stability.
It’s also important to note that this isn't just a problem for those with less education. The resolution points out that Black women with Bachelor's or Master's degrees actually face a wider pay gap than those with only a high school diploma. This suggests that the issue is deeply rooted in systemic factors, not just education or skill level.
The Hidden Hurdles in the Workplace
The resolution doesn't just state the problem; it calls out some of the key drivers. One major factor is the lack of family-friendly policies, like affordable childcare and paid leave, which disproportionately affect women. Another is the widespread practice of discouraging or outright prohibiting employees from discussing their wages; the resolution notes that 60 percent of private sector workers face these secrecy rules, which makes it nearly impossible to spot and correct pay discrimination.
Furthermore, the document addresses workplace hostility, noting that Black women are the most likely group to file sexual harassment charges. Facing harassment often leads to job changes or missed promotions, which directly contributes to the wage gap. While this resolution doesn't mandate any changes—it’s a non-binding expression of Congressional opinion—it serves as a powerful, data-driven foundation for future legislative efforts aimed at closing this persistent gap and reaffirming support for existing equal pay laws.