Greensboro, N.C. - Let's take you back for a minute to 1979. A lot was different then, women earned 62 cents for every dollar a man earned. Today, the numbers have improved. But, there's still a disparity. Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports women earn about 81 cents for every dollar a man makes.
"I believe it's an issue that's not been really addressed. Women are disproportionately heads of household...having to take care of their children, their families and what have you..and as such...are not willing to question as much what's going on with their employers," Gail Foy, Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women said.
The pay gap between genders has been debated for years, add in the struggling economy and you have a recipe for trouble.
"There are so many people who are out of work and there are so many people that are willing to accept a difference in pay, a lower pay," Foy said.
If you have a good relationship with your boss, ask to sit down with him or her and discuss.
Denny Kelly started at an entry level job at a Greensboro marketing and communications company back in 1978. At that time, it was called Bouvier. Six years later, she became a partner and the name changed to Bouvier Kelly.
Kelly credits her success to knowing her worth to the company and projecting confidence. It's something she says women often shy away from.
"I don't think they have the same sense of entitlement that men do...that they should be compensated fairly. So, going forward, I think it's really important for women to understand they should be paid fairly and that's the right thing to do," Kelly said.
Kelly says women should also consider asking for more responsibility and going through a "trial period." In other words, ask your boss to do a project and say, you'd like a little more money. Then, say you'll prove its worth it over the next ninety days. After that period, you can come back and talk about money after you've demonstrated the value.
The Greensboro Commission for the Status of Women is hosting a free Equal Pay Day on Tuesday, April 17. It starts at 1:00 p.m. in the city council chambers. They're encouraging both men and women to stop by and learn how to tackle this issue.
WFMY News 2