Proud Day For Women
54Today I just saw the news that even here in USA their still exists discrimination based on gender and women in certain fields were getting paid less than men for the same job (i.e., "The Census Bureau last year estimated that women still receive only about 78 cents for every dollar that men get for doing equivalent jobs").
To correct this historical inequality President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act today. I have seen even among poor labourers(back in India) where women who work as hard as the men are paid less than men. Now before someone says I am a "feminist" let me say that I believe each person deserves to be treated as equal hence I personally don't expect nor accept any favors which may be accorded to me due to my gender (of course courtesy is always appreciated).
Now who is Lilly Ledbetter and I searched on the web. Here is a brief outline about her: She is a grand mother from Alabama who was working in Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. She found out about the pay discrepancy after 19 years that too almost at the end of her career there. When she filed the case due to technicality her plea wasn't upheld. Today she was personally present along with President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and many others to witness this historic day.
It is really a red letter day for many women who work extremely hard. I hope many people will join me in appreciating those women who undertake the difficult task of balancing both work & family to the best of their abilities.
Do you think pay discrimination against women is widespread?
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Comments
GT- Yes that is so true but now it is the law. I am so happy better late than never.
Its quite unfortunate that even today inequality prevails between men and women.
really u r proud of women
Andrew- I know that in certain fields there exists some inequality but wasn't aware that it still exists in big corporations. And also in many companies salary information is very confidential and now I just will have to be happy thinking that "ignorance is bliss".
Satyamrk- Yes it is a proud day for women. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
wow. about time. I'm celebrating with you.
Gobama! It's about time. Good hub, CW.
Joe- Yes it is about time. And thanks a lot Joe for joining me in celebration. I hope in these difficult times many men do understand that woman who is working isn't just for the extra "butter on the bread" but she may be the sole "bread earner" for the family.
Lita- Yes it is really about time. President Obama surely passed a path breaking law today. Thanks for appreciating and stopping by.
Yet another nail in free market coffin :(
Misha- Aren't you happy with this legislation?
No, I am not
Misha- Can you please let me know why you are not happy?
Nothing personal, and nothing against women. :)
I just think that current problems in Western economy are in the big part caused by excessive regulation, and adding yet another one does not make the bottom line any better, pretty much like adding yet another bailout...
What's the use in equal pay when nobody gets paid? 0=0 without any regulations :)
Bravo! Yes, I found that when I was in the corporate world, the women knew that men generally got paid more for the same job descriptions. Thanks for sharing the good news.
Misha- Your proposition for all or nothing (in terms of government regulations) seems difficult to apply here. It is not exactly like a bail out but it is the recognition (and also remuneration) that Woman's contribution is no less than man's. I agree their may be physical jobs where men who do more work get paid more which I understand but in general having a law helps someone to take recourse to it if someone is adversely affected(at least for those who do have work in these tough times)
Great work CW. Extremely thoughtful of you to have brought this up. You already know what my opinion is about such issues so I don't have to repeat all that stuff (LOL). Thumbs up
VioletSun- Is it an assumption that women make or is their a way to get hold of confidential personal information like salary to actually arrive at that conclusion. I also would like to know whether what you said is widespread or specific to certain sectors/areas?
Anjali- Glad you could stop by. And thanks for those nice words and thumbs up. Yes I can imagine what your views would be on such issues...LOL
That's unfortunate to hear.. Didn't believed that it prevails in USA "too".. I never understood the logic after inequality when I've actually found women doing far better than men in most areas.. Question is in consideration but still unsolved to a big extent.. The hub, nodoubt, gave a positive news as well. Thanks for bringing it up, CW.
Cheers!
ChillingBreeze- Yes it came as a surprise to me too but it is good news never the less. I agree many women do as good a job as men and deserve to be paid equally for equal work. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
It is so nice to hear that. Obama is really special...I celebrate in my heart with you. In my country officially is not the difference (thanks to the laws of equality during the socialism we had before): just women cannot get every job so easy as men...So generally they are paid less...The majority of bossess and supervisors are still men...Generally women work much more to prove themselves... I am so glad the world is changing... Thanks for great Hub and great news.
4 ads for good news.
A lots of Love
Tatjana- Thanks for celebrating along with me. Now that is bad if some employers don't hire in the first place (now is that due to the fact that they have to pay equal pay?). Also when you say there is a law but still you say they are paid less then isn't legal remedy available? I know woman have to work hard to prove that they are as good as men (even I am working I can totally relate to that). Yes the world seems to be changing for the better in some matters. Thanks for appreciating and commenting.
Well, CW, women were surpressed and slaves of men for the many centuries...Change is never easy. Cannot be accepted overnight. Women (we) should start to value and love ourselves much more...we deserve that...
CW, thanks for enlightening me, I hadn't heard about this one! What I find a bit sad is that the equal pay thing has to come about in the form of a law. If that's what it takes though, so be it. It took a Civil War to do away with slavery, some things just seem to need a push in the right direction to become a reality :-)
Misha – A bit more regulation as opposed to letting everyone run rampant with totally unethical and unlawful behaviors would have partly prevented today's economic chaos. As I said in my comment to this particular piece of law, I find the need to regulate a bit depressing, but it seems it's the only way to control greed and unfairness in some cases because humans certainly don't seem able to control themselves :-(
Well let all the woman hope that Obama can get to do what he wants to do for America, let the honeymoon period last long enough to get a lot of bills passed before it ends.
CW: No, it isn't an assumption, unfortunately; I used to see the salary range of several staff members who had almost identical job descriptions, as I prepared their yearly job appraisals.
It's a shame that such a law was needed - it makes no sense to pay someone less when they do a good job just because of gender.
Congratulation America, this is a big step forward. It is heard to believed that this was true. Anyway all the best with other changes for the better.
It certainly is a proud day for women. It is about time. Thank you President Obama. Thank you countrywomen for sharing this with us :)
I started with a short comment and started going far too long so I'll just turn it into a hub so I don't get fussed at here! :)
Delighted to see Obama pass this new - and what should be obvious - law though it will probably be years before women actually see their paychecks improve to equality.
One step out into a better world is better than none; we all have to begin somewhere! It does get a bit old being thought of and treated by others as a second class citizen in your own country just for being female. That's why I found it so easy to join African-Americans and other racial minorities in their civil rights struggle for first class citizen placement in their own country! Thanks for the hub!
Tatjana- I totally agree with you that we should value ourselves so that we know what our true worth is. I hope now that there is a remedy women will have a right to challenge adverse discrimination.
Elena- Yes somethings need to be spelt out in black and white so that affirmative action can be taken. I am glad President Obama signed this historic bill into law. I will let Misha address the second part of your statement.
Just_Rodney- I wish the "honeymoon" period lasts for four years. We all need lots of positive changes and hopefully President Obama can achieve it.
VioletSun- Oh Ok. So you had insider confidential information (which is mostly not discussed openly). I just wanted clarification hence asked that question. Thanks for explaining your sources which lends credibility to the conclusion.
LondonGirl- Better late than never. I totally agree with you when the nature of job doesn't involve too much physical labor than it is tough to decide the rationale of such discrimination.
HappyWorld- I guess somethings we never know until they are brought to light. Glad President Obama took this initiative to sign this bill and also I admire the Lilly whose perseverance finally paid off (if not monetarily at least morally).
Dottie- Yes it certainly is about time. We all have to thank President Obama for this noble bill. I am glad to share this good news.
Denny- Change comes slowly but eventually it will come. At least we are moving in the right direction. That is so refreshing to hear about your past involvements in similar issues.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and commenting. I am really thrilled to share this piece of good news with you all. Have a great day.
Right on Obama :O) Hugs & peace G-Ma
G-Ma,
Thanks a lot for all the hugs and wishes. Yes Obama did pass a path breaking law yesterday. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Lots of love and hugs back to you. (((HUGS)))
It's about time. I thought we made progress but if it took a law for it to happen, it's about time.
Hi Countrywomen,
Thanks for a good topic to address on your Hub. The idea for the law was certainly on the right track, but only like the government can do, if you own a business, you better understand the ramifications of the fine print!
Netters- Yes sometimes we may need a law to make things happen. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Joseph- I am sure small businesses will do what they need to do. I am not sure of the fine print but broadly I feel it is a positive law for women at least. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Powerful. It is a proud day for this country. It's always the right time to do the right thing. Thanks countrywomen.
Cashpureandsimple- It is truly a proud day for women and also for USA. Yes it is never too late and at least from now onwards we will have lesser discrimination. Thanks for appreciating and commenting.
Sometimes a law must be written to correct the unjustice of man, hang the capitalists. Else we would still have slaves.
CCR- I agree sometimes we need to have a written law and norm just doesn't work. I guess you meant "capitalists as republicans" but I personally don't think President Obama is a "socialist". Anyway thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Hey Countrywomen,
This is my first time looking at this website, and I must admit I was a little disappointed with some of the hubs. That is, until I read yours. I couldn't stop reading about it, and the opinions of others as well. Thanks for bringing up such a great, progressive topic!
peace, love, and happiness.
=]
Thanks for this hub countrywomen. It’s a wonderful signal.
I am admiring Obama and his efforts to reach out to women and others. People may say Obama is overrated, but the man is intelligent and actually willing to try and make good changes other past presidents have not cared about. Thanks for the inspirational hub.
Thank you for sharing this news countrywomen.. I found it already though but glad to see a hub on this..
Hi CW,
Thoughtful hub, as always!
I really didn't know that USA didn't have a legislation for equal pay (or does it already have one?). Back in India, we have had a law since long back, but I can't say it has changed the position for women much. The interesting thing is, the organized sector is not covered by all the provisions, yet there is a semblance of equality here. The law was basically enacted for the unorganized sector (which employs more than 90% of the women), yet here women draw significantly lesser pay than men.
SillyStrongGirl- Thanks for appreciating my hub and hope you get to visit many wonderful hubs of great writers here at hub pages. Thanks for commenting.
Pricelessway- Indeed it is a wonderful signal and hope we receive many many more such wonderful signals from President Obama. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
SweetiePie- I guess his wife Michelle is also a strong woman who has a strong influence on his policy making. I somehow couldn't digest so many hubs and some people in the media claiming Obama to be a "socialist". I wonder what our next door neighbor like Cuba must be wondering when we keep saying US is going to be a "Socialist" country under President Obama. Thanks for appreciating and commenting.
Clara Ghomes- Yes it is all over the news and I just felt compelled to share this happy news with my hub friends. Thanks for stopping by.
SiddSingh- I guess there are some laws against discrimination broadly in terms of employment (equal opportunity irrespective of race, gender, color, sexual orientation and so on) but the finer details like for similar job description same pay wasn't there (I guess someone can correct me on this since I am not sure on this). Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
... created from a rib ...
:)
Quicksand- Created from a rib but no longer will crib ;) Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I think i am also a sufferer of the same problem. What can we do, today the condition of market is so bad even you can't complain about this.
Thank you for sharing this good news for women. I hadn't heard about it and it's very encouraging for female workers in these difficult times.
I really think we should lift the ban on Cuba after all of these years. Their economy is in shambles anyway, and today they are no real threat to us. Even during the Cold War and the Cuba Missile Crisis the Soviets and Americans were just using Cuba as a chess to fight over, and it did not even come to conflict anyway. Hopefully when Raoul is finally gone Cuba will be able to have a leader that will allow them more freedoms, but it would be nice if the US could try to lift the ban. At this point it just seem really antiquated.
The opposition calls Obama a socialist because they want to cause fear and discredit him. However, guess what, even the last Republican president George Bush started handing out money to bail out corporations, so we cannot say this party will never bring the government into the economy anymore. We now live in a global economy and I think many are scared of Obama because he represents that change, and people do not know how to deal with him. So far he is doing his best to try to pass a stimulus package to fix the economy, but of course the Republicans are fighting him all the way. When I was watching the news yesterday they pointed out it is interesting how the Republicans enjoyed spending during the heyday of the Iraq war, but now they are arguing they do not want to raise money for a new stimulus package. Sort of contradictory really.
TringSandra- Well injustice begins even with accepting discrimination by the victim as much as by those committing it. If I know and still keep quiet then as a matter of principle it isn't right. Thanks for stopping by.
Kristine- I guess those "decision makers" did a good job of keeping us common folks ignorant about so many things(Have you ever wondered why there are so many women at the key board(like receptionist or other general duties) rather than at the board of directors?). Glad Obama set right this huge historical wrong. Thanks for commenting.
SweetiePie- I guess Raoul is slightly better than his brother Fidel. But honestly it is up to a sovereign country to decide what system is best for them (I don't know why US or Russia should interfere there).
I guess this whole "socialist" tag may not be such a bad idea if at all USA does become as caring for the common folks like Canada or UK (as far as their Universal Health Care and Unemployment protection is concerned). I hope I am not being too critical of US but rather just trying to see if US can be the best country in every aspects(sort of like constructive criticism). Thanks for those wise inputs and as always educating me with your knowledge.
Reports from Europe say: “Women work longer days than men, earn lower wages, have less access to resources and are predominantly responsible for meeting household needs."
About socialism: originaly, socialism sholuld mean "to meet soicial needs of the people"...In Croatia (when we were part of Yugoslavia) we had socialism. And all social needs met. Now we are in new capitalism. And everybody agrees that before we were happier. I think combination is the best. Sweden has this optimun reached.
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Tatjana- Yes I agree a healthy mix is ideal and thanks for explaining about the ground realities in Europe/Croatia. Btw can you send me your email address? Thanks for those clicks :-)
Nicely done CW.
Yes, i agree for this dicision every man and woman equal in any field.
It is mihaelat999@yahoo.com
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Great write. There are many factors to consider here but gender should never enter in to the consideration for pay. It should always be based on merit.
Yes, women face job discrimination. Don't throw things, but I think that things are changing and you can't legislate change. Things WILL change. Laws need to protect us from the obvious but you can't force anyone to hire anyone. When we no longer ask the question, then things will have changed.
If the coporate community valued the work of the women who work for them and paid them acccordingly a law would not be necessary. Being paid appropriately is necessary to the right of pursuit of happiness. Women who are deserted by the father of their children who become dead beat dads should not have to work extra jobs robbing them of valuable time with the children. What is wrong is to protect credit card companies and banks and mortgage companies by law to steal from the lower middle class and then bail them out when their practices put them in danger or bankcrupcy, with not provisions for any of that bail out money going to reduce the mortgages of the victims of their loan shark practices. To use even $1 for bonuses is a travisty.
It is a Good gesture by the US president. He has signed and promulgated this historical inequality legislation - the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act today. Thank you for highlighting this event.
Praise God! Praise God! God Is In Control!!! CHANGE!
very nice hub
great hub CW - did these downgraded gender salary packages apply also in the government sectors? No more however thanks to Obama - i hope he continues to right the wrongs - thanks for this information which I must say has totally surprised me in this day and age and in America!!...cheers
DingDong- Thanks for appreciating and commenting.
Vilims- Yes men and women should coexist as equals with mutual respect for each others roles and abilities.
Tatjana- Thanks for the clicks and the email. I will reply to you and a few others once I come back at the end of the month.
C.S.Alexis- I totally agree with you that gender shouldn't be a criteria for pay determination. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Madison- You are right nobody should be influenced about whom to hire and whom not to hire. The sole criteria should be the right man/woman for the right job. But once hired their should be no pay discrimination for similar job responsibilities between men and women. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
SueKelly- I hear you. Yes women's contribution needs to be valued as much as men's. I don't know what to say except that we may really have very little choice left whether we bail out or not as the economy affects everyone and some more than others. I hope you and your family are doing well. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Muthusamy- It is a pleasure to inform and celebrate this historical day. Thanks for appreciating.
Dr.PastorCarlotta- Yes certainly we are blessed to have a President who feels the pain and removes the injustices. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Lgali- Thanks for appreciating. You are always so supportive. Btw I don't know why I have to click on not spam for your comments. We both are fans of each other but still this is the second time I am getting this prompt for your comment. But anyway thanks for commenting.
Ajcor- I don't think it is an official policy but there are ways and means to subvert the stipulations. Ultimately it is about the intentions that matters and when an "injustice" is found then there should be a legal remedy. Women still have a long way to go but I am sure eventually we will make it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I watched this live and it was moving. This womans perververence will have a positive ripple affect for decades to come. I wonder how long it will take for employers to catch up with this new law and how it will be enforced. How many years did it take after the slaves were freed before they had equal rights?
A step forward- definately.
Important topic- thanks for the read countrywoman
The Real Tomato- WOW!! What a nice name. I love tomato since they are so versatile. I hope this legislation would be help fight pay discrimination although it should be a norm rather than being a law in the first place. Thanks for appreciating and commenting.
Yet again, well done.
I, too, think there's somewhat of a glass ceiling for women, but I think its slowly being disolved. Plus, many women have their own companies and the likes today.
We're so involved with our differences in gender we use them to push each other away...instead of allowing ourselves to come close and help each other represent two sides of the same humanity.
Sincerely,
G|M
Fantastic hub, important information. Go, Obama! I do think it will be a long time coming before the glass ceiling has disappeared, sadly. The statistics are still grim. I'm a social worker and have seen improvement, but the inequity is still quite widespread.
GM- That is so nice to see your wonderful comment about looking at our differences instead of our similarities to bring us closer.
WS41- Yes it will take a while before all the boundaries of race, gender, color, sexual orientation are demolished. It is great to know that you are social worker and I would like to see more information about progress on such issues. I hope one day we will learn to understand and respect each other no matter who they are or what they are.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
No comments..
goldentoad says:
10 months ago
Hard to believe this had to be a law and just wasn't the norm.