First things first… sending our biggest CONGRATULATIONS to the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team for deservedly winning the World Cup title! As The Women’s Resource Center, moments like this are why we do what we do. Each one of these remarkable female athletes came from differing backgrounds, with different upbringings, a different set of circumstances or family support systems… but together they persisted and succeeded in reaching their goal of a World Cup championship.
These women are an inspiration to all women, not only in the United States of America, but all over the world… and not just for winning the World Cup, but for taking on a broader issue and fighting for something theybelieve in…equality. At WRC, we share their mission and vision, and do our best to passionately advocate for pay equity.
The U.S. Women’s National Team filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation, accusing American soccer’s governing body of “institutionalized gender discrimination.” The players contend they are paid less than the men’s national soccer team – sometimes tens of thousands of dollars less – even though the women’s team has collected more trophies and has begun to produce more revenue from sponsorship and ticketing than the men’s team.
“I think we’re done with: Are we worth it? Should we have equal pay? Is the market the same? Yada yada. We – all players, every player at this World Cup – put on the most incredible show that you could ever ask for. We can’t do anything more, to impress more, to be better ambassadors, to take on more, to play better, to do anything. It’s time to move that conversation forward to the next step,” said Megan Rapinoe, American midfielder in a New York Times article.
Unfortunately, the financial arrangements won’t change immediately. Their contract runs through the end of 2021, and the players are forbidden from engaging in a strike. However, their voices are being heard. U.S. Soccer has agreed to a new collective agreement which includes higher salaries, richer bonuses, and better working conditions.
Secret, the deodorant brand and a sponsor of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team, is also behind the team in their fight to pay equity. Secret has publically stated it will give $23,000 to each of the 23 players who were on the World Cup-winning team.
Pay equity is a challenge we, as women, have been facing for far too long. Here in Florida, a woman working full time is typically paid 87 cents for every dollar paid to a man, which equals a yearly difference of $5,474. The median pay for a Florida woman who works full time, year-round is $36,112, compared to the median pay for a Florida man who works full time is $41,586.
These women are strong, brilliant, talented, and so much more. It’s 2019 and women’s voices are and will continue to be heard!
WRC believes in equality, self-worth, and YOU.
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