Equal Pay Day is April 17, the date that symbolizes how far into 2012 women must work to earn what men earned in 2011. The wage gap exists, in part, because many women are still segregated into a few low-paying occupations. According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, more than half of all women workers hold sales, clerical, and service jobs. Studies show that the more an occupation is dominated by women, the less it pays. Part of the wage gap results from differences in education, experience or time in the workforce, but a significant portion cannot be explained by any of those factors. (Q&A on Pay Equity) While some progress has been made to close the gender wage gap in Rhode Island, much of this is due to the erosion of wages for male workers rather than an improvement in women's earnings.
Join RI NOW on Equal Pay Day at an awareness-raising (Un)Happy Hour at Local 121. Check out the event and rsvp on facebook. Come learn what we can do as activists to close the gender gap in RI and around the country. Women pay 77cents on the dollar for drinks. Wear red to symbolize how far women are "in the red" with their pay. |
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Reproductive Rights Taking Center Stage in RI
Reproductive rights are taking center stage in Rhode Island this spring. RI NOW, Planned Parenthood, Ocean State Action, students-for-choice groups, and concerned citizens staged a counter protest on March 23 in opposition to a rally held by those protesting the Obama administrations ruling that religious institutions must provide birth control coverage for their employees. (See Providence: Dueling Demonstrations.) On April 11, the House Judiciary Committee will hear most of the abortion-related bills that are before the General Assembly this year. And, on April 28, Rhode Island will join many states around the country in hosting a Unite Against the War on Women rally at the State House. So, in case you've been wondering when would be a good time to get involved, that time is NOW! Contact RI NOW to learn how you can stand up for reproductive rights this spring.
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Take Action
1) Tell your legislator: Strangulation is NOT a misdemeanor! A woman whose abuser attempts to strangle or choke her is at significantly higher risk of ultimately being murdered. The Anti-Strangulation bill (H7242) would make sure that batterers are held accountable for their crimes by increasing penalties for domestic violence assaults where the victim is strangled or choked. Please show your support by attending a press conference and hearing:
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
House Judiciary Committee
Time: Press Conference (3:30) Hearing (4:30ish)
Place: Room 313 at the State House
Is your state representative on the House Judiciary Committee? Call his/her office to show your support for H7242! Find your state representative here. Contact information can be found here.
2) Help Boost Women's Economic Security and Close the Gender Wage Gap in Rhode Island
According to the National Women's Law Center, women represent nearly two-thirds of minimum wage workers and close to two-thirds of workers in tipped occupations. Senate Bill 2374 would increase the minimum wage to $7.75 in 2013. Join us for the bill's hearing to show your support:
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Senate Labor Committee
Time: The Rise of the House
Place: Senate Lounge at the State House
Is your state senator on the Senate Labor committee? Call his/her office to show your support for raising the minimum wage! Find your state senator here. Contact information can be found here.
3) Come out in support of women's reproductive rights. April 11th is the day the House Judiciary Committee will hear most of the anti-choice bills that have been introduced this year. If you are interested in testifying and would like some help, please let RI NOW know. And, join activists from around the state on April 28 at the Unite Against the War on Women rally.
4) Take two minutes to call Senate President Paiva-Weed at 401-222-6655 and ask her to appoint members to the Fair Elections Study Commission. Last spring, the Rhode Island legislature passed and Governor Chafee signed a bill establishing a study commission aimed at examining the feasibility of publicly financed elections in RI. But one full year after it was established by law, the commission still hasn't met. It doesn't even exist yet.
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RI NOW members attend a Brown University screening of Miss Representation on March 15. Check out Shandi Hanna's