Latina Equal Pay Day Rally Kicks Off California Legislature’s New Unseen Latinas Initiative

October 29, 2020

SACRAMENTO – (Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020) – Today, the California Latino Legislative Caucus held a Latina Equal Pay Day rally with State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Los Angeles), First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and others to shine a spotlight on the crisis of inequities facing Latinas in California.

The event (a recording is available here) kicked off the Latino Caucus’ new two-year Unseen Latinas initiative, which aims to address disparities Latinas in California experience in economic outcomes, career and leadership opportunities, and education.

“As Chair of the CA Latino Legislative Caucus, I am proud to help spearhead the efforts to address existing inequities that disproportionately impact Latinas in California,” said Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Chair of the Latino Caucus Chair. “Historically, Latinas have earned much lower wages than their white female and male counterparts and now, with the COVID-19 pandemic the disparities are even worse. Almost thirty percent have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and they have suffered casualties at equally alarmingly rates. We need to improve access to better paying jobs, education, career opportunities, and excellent healthcare. It is time for change.”

To formalize the Legislature’s commitment to solving this problem, Speaker Rendon recently appointed a new Assembly Select Committee on Latina Inequities that Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) will serve as Chair.

“The truth is, California is dead last when it comes to addressing Latina pay inequity. And it’s not just pay—Latina representation ranks at the bottom of every demographic group in a number of fields,” Assemblywoman Gonzalez said. “We know there are problems; we also know there has to be solutions out there. That’s why the Latino Caucus has announced the Unseen Latinas initiative and the Assembly Speaker has appointed a new Select Committee on Latina Inequities so that we can really examine this problem and find policy solutions to this crisis.” 

For questions on the Unseen Latinas initiative, contact Sami Gallegos: Samantha.Gallegos@asm.ca.gov

To schedule an interview with a member of the Latino Caucus, contact Fredy Ceja: Fredy.Ceja@sen.ca.gov