AAUW and WILL build wage gap awareness

“Fight for fair pay,” one read.

“I am the face of pay equity,” read another.

University of Michigan-Dearborn’s chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Women in Learning & Leadership (WILL) hosted Equal Pay Week April 8-11 to raise awareness about pay equity.

The initiative coincided with Equal Pay Day on April 8, the symbolic day when women's earnings catch up to men's earnings from the previous year. Nationally, women make 77 cents per dollar that their male counterparts make for the same amount of work.

AAUW & WILL members set up an information table in the University Center, painted the rock and hosted a Smart Start salary negotiation workshop, a flash mob, and a pay equity discussion.

“Most college students go to school, get their degree and think that they are going to make top dollar. As women, we don’t,” said Tina Nelson, one of the founders of the AAUW Student Organization. “This week was about bringing awareness relating to the issues surrounding the wage gap between men and women. “

Nearly 40 people attended the pay equity discussion. Panelists included Debbie Dingell as moderator, Janet Watkins, president of AAUW Michigan, Suzanne Bergeron, director of UM-Dearborn’s Women’s and Gender Studies program, and Sally Barnet, AAUW Dearborn branch member and past president of the Dearborn Federation of Teachers.

“How is it that in 2014 women have to work almost 100 days more? It’s a rude awakening,” said Dingell, who is a candidate in Michigan's 12th Congressional District race.

Panelists focused on discrimination, undervalued fields and how women can continue to close the gap. For many, closing the gap means starting early and knowing how to negotiate.

“Be armed with info,” said Janet Watkins, “Know your value and go in being ready to negotiate.”

For more information on Pay Equity Week or AAUW, contact the Lee Savage, program director of the Women’s Resource Center, at 313-583-6445 or at [email protected].