State Rep. David Baria (D) – Guest column: Mississippi’s leaders failing Mississippi women
In Mississippi, more than 201,000 households have women as the sole or primary breadwinner, according to Sarah Fink, Director of Workplace Safety for the National Partnership for Women and Families. Of those households, 39 percent, or 78,038 households, are living below the poverty level.
Here’s one reason why: On average, a woman in Mississippi makes $9,289 less annually than a man, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. This computes to a deficit of 23 cents per dollar for women when compared to a white, non-Hispanic man. In other words, a white, non-Hispanic woman working in the same or comparable job, makes 77 cents for every dollar her male counterpart takes home.
For African-American women in the state who hold full-time, year-round jobs, the disparity is even more dismal, with women earning 55 cents for every dollar that a white, non-Hispanic man earns….
…The real impact of this wage gap is felt daily in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Mississippians. Yet, Mississippi’s state economist Darrin Webb said he hasn’t studied the economic impact the wage gap has on the state because “no one has requested any kind of analysis like that.” And, just who would be in a position to request such an analysis? Governor Phil Bryant and Lt. Governor Tate Reeves.
Gulflive
10/13/16
Magnolia Tribune
