The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women (“ECCSW”) has announced that it will host a pay equity panel discussion and reception on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 4:00 pm at Buffalo History Museum to commemorate National Equal Pay Day.

“We are continuing the fight in Erie County to narrow the gender wage gap,” said Deputy Erie County Executive Maria R. Whyte. “Most everyone knows that the time for pay equity between genders is long past but unfortunately wage discrimination based on gender still exists. I encourage both women and men to attend this special event and learn what can be done to promote what is a long overdue change. Women are essential and irreplaceable parts of our workforce. We must end wage discrimination against them.”

In 2016, the median annual earnings for women in Erie County working full-time was $40,610 versus $50,966 for men in Erie County. Nationally, African-American women were paid 63 cents for every dollar white men earned and 54 cents for Hispanic women.

The purpose of the pay equity panel, entitled “Narrowing the Gender Wage Gap: Current Legislative Strategies,” is to raise awareness on the issue of pay equity and to celebrate some of the progress that has been made in New York State through collaborative advocacy efforts. The event will feature a variety of panelists with knowledge and expertise on the topic of pay equity and the gender wage gap, including local attorneys, educators and community stakeholders.

“Gender based wage discrimination is a community problem that impacts everyone and needs to be discussed openly and thoughtfully so our community as a whole can work together to eliminate gender wage discrimination,” said ECCSW Executive Director Karen King. “We will also recognize Equal Pay Day to bring attention to how far into 2017 women must work to earn what men earned in 2016, which is 94 days.”

To register for this free event, please contact Karen L. King at karen.king@erie.gov. A reception sponsored by The Junior League of Buffalo will follow.

The pay equity panel and reception is made possible through the collaboration of the ECCSW, WNY Women’s Action Coalition, WNY Women’s Foundation and The Junior League of Buffalo.

“Pay Equity Panel & Reception” in honor of Pay Equity Day will start at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday April 4, 2017 at Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo NY 14216.