Is Equal Pay Still a Distant Dream for Native and Minority Women?

 

Introduction

Each year, Equal Pay Days mark how far into the year women must work to match what White, non-Hispanic men earned in the previous year. These symbolic days starkly remind us of enduring wage gaps among women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. On November 21, Native Women’s Equal Pay Day marked the last of the Equal Pay Days. Despite progress in some areas, the most significant widening of the gender wage gap in over two decades has occurred, according to research by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR).

This blog explores the wage gap trends for Native women and their peers, the systemic reasons behind these disparities, and what can be done to correct the course.

Native Women: An Overlooked Labour Force

Native American and Alaska Native women’s earnings stood at 52.4 cents per dollar compared to White men, second only to Latina women in terms of wage disparity. The reasons behind this gap are multi-layered and historically rooted:

·         Colonial legacies have created persistent structural disadvantages.

·         Economic isolation of rural tribal areas limits access to high-paying jobs.

·         Native women are underrepresented in professional sectors and overrepresented in low-wage work.

·         Limited access to child care, broadband internet, and transportation further restricts opportunities.

A survey by the National Partnership for Women & Families found that 67% of Native women live in or near federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, which often overlap with employment-scarce regions.

Why the Gaps Persist Across Groups

Despite diversity in lived experiences, all marginalized women face common barriers:

Barriers	Impact
Workplace Discrimination	Reduced hiring, promotions, and wage growth opportunities
Occupational Segregation	Overrepresentation in service-sector and care jobs
Motherhood Penalty	Decreased earnings and job stability for mothers
Immigration and Documentation Status	Limited job mobility and legal protections for Latina women
Cultural Stereotypes	AANHPI women are seen as “model minorities,” masking disparities

AANHPI Women: The “Model Minority” Myth

While Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women had the highest earnings among women of color, they still earned just 80.1 cents per dollar compared to White men in 2022. Despite higher education levels, they remain significantly underrepresented in senior and executive roles. Moreover, workplace harassment and discrimination are often underreported in these communities due to cultural stigma.

Black Women: High Participation, Low Returns

Black women consistently display the highest full-time labor force participation among all women, yet their wages remain around 64.4 cents per dollar. Their disproportionate representation in sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and child care—essential but undervalued work—keeps wages low. The intersection of racism and sexism further amplifies discrimination in hiring and pay negotiations.

Motherhood’s Financial Toll

In 2022, mothers earned only 62.5 cents per dollar compared to fathers. The child care crisis in the U.S., with average monthly costs exceeding $1,200 in some states, forces many women to reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely. Studies show that for every child a woman has, her wages decrease by 4%, while fathers often receive a “fatherhood bonus.”

Latina Women: The Lowest Earners

Latina women face the widest wage gap of all, earning only 51.3 cents on the dollar. Key factors include:

·         Precarious immigration statuses

·         Concentration in low-wage sectors

·         Limited access to education and healthcare

The pandemic worsened their situation, with a disproportionate loss of jobs in hospitality and domestic services, sectors where Latina women are overrepresented.

Moving Forward: Policy Solutions and Collective Action

To close the wage gap, targeted solutions are essential:

1.       Universal child care and paid family leave.

2.       Stronger pay transparency laws and enforcement of equal pay.

3.       Pathways to management and leadership for women of color.

4.       Immigration reform to protect undocumented workers.

5.       Investment in Native and rural economies, including broadband and public transit.

Conclusion

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day serves as a critical reminder that progress is not linear. While much attention has been given to broadening gender equity, intersectionality remains key to understanding who is still being left behind. Until we center the unique challenges faced by Native, Latina, Black, AANHPI women, and mothers, the promise of equal pay will remain unfulfilled for millions.

References:

·         Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). (2023). Gender Wage Gap Widens for the First Time in 20 Years.

·         National Partnership for Women & Families. (2023). The Wage Gap for Native Women.

·         U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

·         U.S. Department of Labor. (2023). Women in the Labor Force: A Databook.

·         American Association of University Women (AAUW). (2023). The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap.