Inclusive &
Equitable
Workplaces
The Problem
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force participation rate for women was 56.8% as of 2022. In Pennsylvania, that number was 57.1%, with over 3 million women in the labor force. And that of course only captures paid labor.
Despite women being the majority of the American workforce, women continue to be paid much less for the same work. The Pew Research center reported that women make significantly less than men, specifically white men, with Black and Latina women making even less than white women.
83 cents to the dollar for white women
70 cents to the dollar for Black women
65 cents to the dollar for Hispanic/Latina women
Further widening the divide is the burden, most often placed on women, of providing care, including accessing and affording quality childcare, and caring for ill or elderly family members.
Our Vision
At NCJW Pittsburgh, we are actively working to eliminate the pay gap across gender and race, and ensure that all moms are able to ensure their, and their family’s financial health and stability. In order to do that, we believe that we need:
Accessible, affordable & quality childcare and out of school time care for all
Increased access to wage-increasing resources including education and workplace advocacy for working mothers
To eliminate the stigma of hiring and promoting working mothers from an employer / societal perspective
To reduce, and ultimately eliminate, workplace discrimination
Universal paid leave
What We’re Doing
Working to pass the Pennsylvania Family Care Act which would provide paid leave for all Pennsylvania workers
Advocating for a PA state budget that increases funding for subsidized childcare for families including out of school time, and to address shortages in childcare availability
Working to change the current perception about childcare from an individual responsibility falling primarily women, to a societal support that benefits everyone.
Supporting the Level Up campaign, which seeks to encourage employers to implement best practices that support pay equity in the workplace
How You Can Help
Join us by Taking Action on key advocacy priorities
Let your elected representatives know that you support gender and racial pay equity, affordable and accessible childcare, and paid family leave. Find your PA and federal legislators here.
Sign your business or organization on to the Level Up Greater Pittsburgh Gender Pay Equity Campaign Pledge. If you are a hiring manager, use the pledge principles to make your hiring process more transparent and equitable, like providing pay transparency and eliminating desired salary and salary history questions.
Donate to support our work to ensure economic justice.
Support efforts to support working moms and families - sign up for our mailing list to stay informed!
Other Resources
Click here to view our guide of local resources for childcare, community resources, education, parenthood, mental health, overall health, and legal aid.