Latinos United for Immigration Reform

November 1, 2016 - NHLA Observes Latina Equal Pay Day on National Day of Action

NHLA OBSERVES LATINA EQUAL PAY DAY ON NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

MIAMI, Florida – Today the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 of the nation's preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, is observing Latina Equal Pay Day with more than a hundred women’s rights groups, Latino advocacy organizations, the labor movement and workers’ rights advocates. November 1, 2016, marks the day when Latina workers’ pay catches up to that of white, non-Hispanic men from the previous year.

“It takes Latinas 22 months to make what white men earn in 12, which is especially disheartening considering that more than half of Latinas are working in low wage jobs yet are the breadwinners for their families,” said Jessica González-Rojas, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Latina Task Force and Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH). “We know that when Latinas experience wage inequality, it also makes it difficult for them to access needed reproductive health services. Forcing Latinas to take a back seat in the workplace forces our community to make impossible choices every day such as whether to put food on the table or to see a doctor. I am proud to co-lead the Latina Task Force and support the NHLA Agenda to shine a light on these inequalities as well as provide context and concrete solutions to advocate for gender equity. We must ensure fairness in the workplace and prevent roadblocks to health care access for the Latinas who are the backbones of our families and communities."

According to the most recent Income and Poverty data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinas typically earn only 54 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men. Such disparity creates a lasting impact on Latinas, their families, and their communities. Income disparities in Latino households create barriers against accumulating savings, thus influencing areas such as homeownership, retirement, and access to childcare. Latina Equal Pay Day provides an opportunity to recognize these obstacles and understand their impact nationwide.

“Today we stand together to observe Latina Equal Pay Day and to declare it unacceptable that Latinas earn 54 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. This should cause everyone to pause, reflect, and act,” said Patti Tototzintle, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Latina Task Force and Chief Executive Officer of Casa de Esperanza. “This wage gap keeps Latinas and their families at income levels that make it difficult to maintain their homes and other necessities needed to thrive as individuals and families. Latinas, young and old, that are experiencing violence in their homes, should never be trapped with a sense that the money they earn makes it impossible for them and their children to survive. The NHLA Public Policy Agenda lifts up the need for all of us to work to ensure gender equity in the workplace.”

As part of the day’s events, NHLA member Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) will host the National Latina Equal Pay Day Event in Miami, Florida on November 1, 2016, from 4:30 - 8:00 pm ET. The event will begin with a phone bank to Latino voters. Following the phone bank, speakers and panelists will discuss Latina equal pay as a national issue and use the event as a way of uniting people across the country on one common goal. 

The wage gap continues to affect Latinas across the nation and such a disparity remains unacceptable. A recent poll conducted by American Women, Voto Latino and iAmerica indicates that equal pay is one of the priority issues concerning Latina voters. In a society where Latinas must work nearly 22 months to earn what white men earn in 12 months, recognizing Latina Equal Pay Day is necessary to foster change and create awareness of the issue.

“Latina workers are among the most oppressed workers in our nation, especially immigration women,” said Hector Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). “When Latinas face such oppression, the entire Latino community feels the impact of this wage theft and discrimination. It is unacceptable for employers to perpetuate the Latina equal pay gap and we are determined to work with our allies to close this gap."

Observers of Latina Equal Pay Day will also speak out on the issue via social media. A Twitter Town Hall and other events will be taking place in different parts of the country as well. The online conversation can be followed at #Trabajadoras, #LatinaEqualPay, and #LatinxEqualPay.

“Latinas bring a wide range of skills and talents to the workforce and must be compensated in an equal manner,” said Mónica Ramírez, Director of Gender Equity and Advocacy for NHLA. “Closing the Latina equal pay gap needs to be a priority across all industries and sectors. Latina Equal Pay Day is an integral part of building awareness around the issue and NHLA is proud to participate in this day of action. Beyond this one day, we will continue to lift up Latina workers and fight for gender equity.”

# # #

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

| Michael Torra | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 425-0582 |
| Brenda Arredondo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (915) 373-1483 |

ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 40 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

NHLA MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Alianza Americas | American GI Forum | ASPIRA Association, Inc. | Avance | Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | Cuban American National Council | Farmworker Justice | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Inter-University Program for Latino Research | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Council of La Raza | National Hispana Leadership Institute | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. | Presente.org | SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States Hispanic Leadership Institute | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S.-Mexico Foundation

  • JAN 13, 2015 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS URGE CONGRESS TO VOTE NO ON REPEAL OF PRESIDENT'S IMMIGRATION ACTIONS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION January 13, 2015 Votes on Amendments to Homeland Security funding bill will be included in NHLA’s Congressional Scorecard Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, sent a letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives today strongly urging them to vote against the Aderholt, Blackburn, and DeSantis amendments to H.R. 240, the Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, that would repeal or impede the implementation of President Obama’s administrative actions to address some of the most immediate and damaging flaws in… Read More

  • Dec 4, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION URGES CONGRESS TO VOTE AGAINST REPEAL OF PRESIDENT'S IMMIGRATION ACTIONS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION December 4, 2014 NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION URGES CONGRESS TO VOTE AGAINST REPEAL OF PRESIDENT'S IMMIGRATION ACTIONSVotes on HR 5759 and similar measures will be included in NHLA Congressional Scorecard Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, sent a letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday strongly urging them to vote against H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014, and any similar legislation that seeks to repeal President Barack Obama's recent administrative action to provide relief from deportation to parents of U.S.… Read More

  • Dec 3, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION OPPOSES BILL TO REPEAL PRESIDENT'S ACTION ON IMMIGRATION +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION December 3, 2014 NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION OPPOSES BILL TO REPEAL PRESIDENT'S ACTION ON IMMIGRATIONBill would prevent relief to families torn apart by deportation Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, strongly opposes H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014, and any similar legislation that seeks to repeal President Barack Obama's recent administrative action to provide relief from deportation to parents of U.S. citizen and legal permanent resident children and would expand eligibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. H.R. 5759… Read More

  • Nov 21, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS WELCOME PRESIDENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION +

    FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION November 21, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS WELCOME PRESIDENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION Coalition Renews Call For Congress to Enact Immigration Reform As Soon As Possible Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, welcomed President Barack Obama's announcement, which he elaborated on in Las Vegas today, to grant affirmative relief from deportation to nearly five million undocumented immigrants, and vowed to continue to advocate for just, humane and inclusive immigration policy in the United States. "We are very pleased that the President is taking action to enable… Read More

  • Nov 20, 2014 - NATIONAL COALITION OF LATINO ORGANIZATIONS WELCOMES PRESIDENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON DEPORTATION RELIEF +

    FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION November 20, 2014 NATIONAL COALITION OF LATINO ORGANIZATIONS WELCOMES PRESIDENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON DEPORTATION RELIEF Washington, DC – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, welcomed President Barack Obama’s announcement of his plan to grant affirmative relief from deportation to around five million undocumented immigrants. NHLA has urged the President to take action on deportations throughout the year, lifting the voices of Latino immigrants and family members impacted by the harsh realities of deportation, and making the case for how he could use his administrative authority to provide the broadest… Read More

  • Nov 10, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL FOR CLOSURE OF FAMILY DETENTION CENTERS +

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 10, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL FOR CLOSURE OF FAMILY DETENTION CENTERS Government should instead use humane, effective, less costly community-based alternatives Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, is calling on the Obama Administration to close existing family detention centers, scrap plans for opening new ones, and implement alternatives to detention that have proven to be successful and more humane. Most of those held at detention centers are women and children fleeing violence in Central America, and many have survived abuse in their home… Read More

  • Nov 7, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON SENATE LEADER AND CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS TO PRESS PRESIDENT FOR IMMEDIATE EXECUTIVE ACTION +

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 7, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON SENATE LEADER AND CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS TO PRESS PRESIDENT FOR IMMEDIATE EXECUTIVE ACTION With conclusion of mid-term elections, there is no excuse for delaying action to stop deportations that are tearing apart families and communities Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, is calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and its natural allies in Congress – the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – to weigh in strongly with President Barack Obama on the need for affirmative relief from deportation to… Read More

  • Nov 5, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO FULFILL PROMISE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY TO HALT DEPORTATIONS FOR MILLIONS +

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 5, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO FULFILL PROMISE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY TO HALT DEPORTATIONS FOR MILLIONS Administrations most recent delay already led to additional 70,000 deportations, tearing apart families and communities Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, calls on President Barack Obama not to delay in fulfilling his promise to grant affirmative relief from deportation to as broad a range of undocumented immigrants as possible. The president, who previously committed to take action before the end of the summer, then said… Read More

  • Oct 8, 2014 - HISPANIC LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO ALLOW HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR DEFERRED ACTION RECIPIENTS +

    For Immediate Release October 8, 2014 HISPANIC LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO ALLOW HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR DEFERRED ACTION RECIPIENTS Immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and those who benefit from expanded administrative relief should have access to the programs their taxes pay for Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, has called on President Barack Obama and HHS Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell to restore access to affordable health coverage and care to those enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which the President established… Read More

  • Aug 1, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION URGES "NO" VOTES ON BORDER SUPPLEMENTAL AND ANTI-DREAMER BILLS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION August 1, 2014 National Hispanic Coalition Urges "No" Votes on Border Supplemental and anti-DREAMer Bills Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, released the following statement expressing its strong opposition to the revised border supplemental funding and DACA restriction bills that are scheduled to be considered by the full House tonight. As NHLA made clear to Congress in its July 16 letter and reiterated yesterday, NHLA intends to score votes on such legislation as that being considered in the House today. "The House of… Read More

  • Jul 31, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERS OPPOSE BILL TO BLOCK EXECUTIVE ACTION ON DEPORTATIONS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION July 31, 2014 National Hispanic Leaders Oppose Bill to Block Executive Action on Deportations Bill would prevent relief to families torn apart by current deportation policies Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, sent a letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives today expressing strong opposition to H.R. 5272, a bill that would block federal agencies from issuing any new policies that defer deportation and would prevent any future grants of work authorization to new recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood… Read More

  • Jul 30, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERS URGE "NO" VOTE ON HOUSE BORDER SUPPLEMENTAL BILL +

    National Hispanic Leaders Urge "No" Vote on House Border Supplemental Bill Rolling back due process rights for vulnerable children is not the answer to the humanitarian situation along the southern border Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, issued the following statement opposing H.R. 5230, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide supplemental funding for border security and handling the humanitarian situation of increased child migration. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 5230 this week, possibly as early as Wednesday. "The… Read More
  • 1
  • 2
› ‹