Kimberly RussellA Mississippi organization is encouraging state residents to participate in Equal Pay Day on Tuesday after equal pay protection failed during the past legislative session.
The Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative turns its eyes to April 10 to further its advocacy efforts for employment protection. Equal Pay Day annually marks the progress of women’s earnings against men’s earnings from the previous year.
Here are three ways the organization wants residents to be involved with Tuesday’s events:
- Equal Pay Day press conference on the South Steps of the State Capitol from 11 a.m. to noon at 400 High St. in Jackson
- “Equal Pay Day Social Media Storm” starting at 2 p.m. on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat with the hashtag #time4transparency
- Reach out to local officials, like mayors, city council and aldermen, with a proclamation such as this one that encourages them to support Equal Pay Day in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Women’s Economic Security Initiative aims to close the gender pay gap in the state. It say it’s building support for legislative protections against pay discrimination based on gender. Mississippi is one of two states in the country that does not have a state law on the books addressing that issue. The organization stood against House Bill 1241, a now-dead bill that would have addressed equal pay and workers benefits, such sick leave. The bill died in committee before reaching the Senate.
The organization is a project of the Mississippi’s Low Income Child Care Initiative.
