The gender pay gap is defined as the difference in earnings between men and women in the workplace. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 sought to abolish the gender pay gap between men and women. Even after the Act’s passage, however, women still struggle significantly in the American labor force.
In Miami-Dade County alone, the wage gap for full-time workers fluctuates constantly; it’s now at 18% despite efforts by the county’s government to highlight the status of women annually. On a national scale, the gender wage gap has barely budged in the past two decades. Compared to the nation, Florida has among the smallest gaps. But it is still substantial. According to U.S. News and World Report, white women earn 85 cents for every dollar earned by white men. However, women of color struggle more. Black women, in particular, earn 61 cents for every white man’s dollar.
While some women are paid unfairly due to the field they work in, others fall short of their male counterparts because of sex discrimination. Linda Nestor, a camerawoman for NBC 6, started out as the first female studio camera operator at her local station. After some time at her position, however, she found out from her male coworker that even though they worked the exact same job and shift with the same responsibilities, the male was paid more. “I knew then they did not respect me,” Nestor said.
While there are solutions in place that target the wage disparity, one question persists: Will the gender pay gap ever disappear?
