In 1963, the Equal Pay Act was signed. Yet, here we are.
In 2019, the average female took home 80% of earnings compared to her male counterpart. Though progress in education and workforce participation has narrowed the gap from about 50% since 1960, it is estimated that the average American woman is still nearly 70 years away from reaching equal pay. Statistics show that at this rate, black women will have to wait over 100 years, and Hispanic women will have to wait 200 years.
The gender pay gap has lifelong financial effects. According to AAUW, 13% of American women ages 18–64 are living below the federal poverty level, compared with 9% of men.
“Find yourself a mentor.” We've all heard it. And, that sounds all well and good, but if you’re looking for a female mentor within your specific design discipline, you might be looking for a while.
There seems to be a stigma around the few powerful women that do hold leadership positions, which is that they are too busy or uninterested, and generally intimidating. In a survey by the Development Dimensions International, 71% of women interviewed said they would “always accept invitations” to act as formal career mentors (Fatemi Online). Point of the story, it never hurts to ask!
Motherhood penalty is the concept that women’s pay decreases once they become mothers. Many factors contribute to this pay decrease, including antiquated stereotypes about men being primary breadwinners and mothers being caregivers. In addition, the unjustly high cost of childcare pushes many women out of the workforce (AAUW Online).
In 2019, women made up nearly half of the labor force— the most balanced labor force the U.S. has ever seen. In addition, the Center for American Progress reports that women are the primary breadwinner in 41% of American households with children.
Go ahead. Google important graphic designers or graphic design history. The results will be overwhelmingly male. Which is not to say males or females are more or less talented than each other.
It’s simply a sad truth that female designers have to work harder to make waves and be noticed. This concept ties back into the lack of mentorship, and ultimately the theme of this project, the leadership gender imbalance.
It is a universal concept that rewarding people for exceptional work provides affirmation that carries throughout a lifetime.
It’s time to start rewarding women for exceptional work.
Learn more in the next section:
Design Solutions© 2020 JoJo Dupuy
