That being said, while the suffrage movement was a milestone for women’s rights, we must also acknowledge that it did not fully encompass the experiences of all women.

Here’s why we must keep the concept of intersectionality in mind as we celebrate this holiday:

The History of Women’s Equality Day

Women’s Equality Day was designated as a national holiday in 1973, created in order to recognize the hard-fought battle for women’s suffrage in 1920. Mere days prior, on August 18, Congress officially ratified the 19th Amendment, which solidified the right of most American women the right vote.

That being said, it only represented one step towards equality for all women.

Black women and women of color were still facing significant barriers to voting, as well as employment, education, and other opportunities. In fact, it wouldn’t be until 1965 — a full 45 years later — that Black women would be granted the same voting rights.

All About Intersectionality

As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of intersectionality in our understanding and advocacy for gender equality.

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, reminds us that women’s experiences are not homogeneous and are significantly influenced by other aspects of their identities such as race, class, sexual orientation, and disability status.

Recognizing intersectionality ensures that we don’t just fight for the equality of women in a monolithic sense, but that we advocate for all women, acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by those who belong to multiple marginalized groups.

In this way, intersectionality enriches our understanding of women’s rights and helps us build a more inclusive and equitable society.

S.H.E. Matters During and Beyond Women’s Equality Day

Employers must consider the ways in which various systems of oppression can impact their employees.

The pay gap, for example, is not simply an issue of gender; it is influenced by race and ethnicity, as well as other factors. Understanding these intersections is crucial when working to create an equitable workplace.

Overall, Women’s Equality Day is an important reminder of the progress that has been made over the years, but it is also an opportunity to analyze the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality.

But what do you think? We’d love to hear from you!

Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information!

The post The History of Women’s Equality Day and Why Intersectionality is Still Important appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

This issue has long-reaching implications for individuals, our economy, and our society at large. But in this particular blog post, we’ll look at the Age Gap: an intersection of gender and age that underscores these disparities in the workplace.

Let’s explore what it is, how it works, and more…

What Are the Basics of the Age Gap?

As women progress in their careers, they encounter even greater disparities in wages compared to their male counterparts.

Thus, as the wage gap widens as they age, women in their retirement years are left with significantly less financial security than men.

“Earnings gaps represent a prime reason why women, especially widows and divorced women or those who never married, experience higher rates of poverty in old age than men,” as explained by the Center for American Progress (CAP).

We can see this growing wage gap at the intersection of age and gender as illustrated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s research:

• Ages 16 to 19: 10% gap
• Ages 20 to 24: 7.1% gap
• Ages 25 to 34: 9.8% gap
• Ages 34 to 44: 17.9% gap
• Ages 45 to 54: 20.8% gap
• Ages 55 to 64: 22.2% gap
• Ages 65 and Over: 26.9% gap

How Does the Age Gap Work?

One reason the wage gap is exacerbated over a woman’s lifetime is because of the tendency for women to be overlooked for promotions and leadership positions, even when they possess the same skills and experience as their male colleagues.

Additionally, gender stereotypes and biases can lead to a devaluation of traditionally female-dominated roles, resulting in lower salaries for women working in these fields.

Another factor that contributes to the wage gap for older women is the impact of caregiving responsibilities on their careers — often referred to as “the motherhood penalty” in most familial cases.

Women are more likely to take time off from work to care for family members, which can interrupt their career trajectories and result in lower earnings over time. Moreover, women who do return to work after a break for caregiving responsibilities may face challenges in finding equal pay and opportunities for advancement.

But with that all in mind, when are women most likely to begin feeling the effects of this age gap?

“After around 40, women’s wage growth plateaus and then drops off earlier than men’s,” according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). “This holds true when measuring the gap using median weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers”

She Matters Today… and Tomorrow

It is imperative that we recognize and address the persistent wage gap for women, especially as they grow older. A fair and equitable workplace benefits not only individual women, but also the larger economy and society.

Efforts to close the wage gap must take into account the nuanced and complex factors that contribute to it, including occupational segregation, unconscious biases, and discrimination.

By doing so, we can promote equal pay for all workers, regardless of gender.

But what do you think? Are you a female worker who is already feeling the impacts of all the aforementioned? Or do you have another point of view on the age gap? We’d love to hear from you!

Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information!

The post S.H.E. Matters: Counting Dollars Through the Years With the Age Gap appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.