Equal Pay in Michigan: No Easy Solution for a Complex Problem

Today's Equal Pay Day rally in Lansing brimmed with hope and renewed energy behind a set of bills that are, unfortunately, as old as the hills. 

I dug up a 2001 Michigan Daily article quoting Alma Wheeler Smith and Gilda Jacobs and outlining new bills that would make pay discrimination a civil rights violation and establish a pay equity commission. A spokesperson from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Nancy McKeague, argued that women are already protected against discrimination by federal and state laws, and additional legislation isn't needed. 

This year, we have virtually the same story at mlive.com, with the conservative Mackinac Center for Public Policy commenting in place of the Chamber, and a third bill that would require employers to provide employees with wage information for those in similarly situated jobs. (House Democrats today introduced HB 4516, HB 4517, HB 4518 and HB 4519.)

Same arguments. Another dozen years, and women's wages have moved in Michigan from 67 cents on the dollar to 74 cents. Michigan's pay gap still ranks among the nation's worst. 

So how do we more quickly move the needle? For starters, it would help if everyone was pushing it in the same direction. 

For instance, we all agree that a woman's choice to raise a family affects her career and wages. We agree that fathers devoted to their careers may have to sacrifice time with their children. So let's create a work culture that values families and eliminate the penalties on both sides. 

Since federal and state laws that address pay equity already exist, we agree the government has a place in ensuring fairness in the workplace. So let's examine what about that existing legislation isn't working. 

And let's take a deeper look inside ourselves, to make sure we're really pushing that needle as hard as we can. What keeps us from steering our daughters into STEM (science, tech, engineering and math) careers when they show an interest? What holds us back from speaking up, from negotiating hard for ourselves? What can we do to improve the culture in our own workplaces? 

With a gain of only 7 cents in 12 years, Michigan's pay gap is a stubborn and complex problem with no easy solution. But we should never stop working to find it.

-- Joni Hubred-Golden

Join the Conversation: Equal Pay Day Rally

Michigan Women's Forum Plans Coverage of April 9 Equal Pay Day Rally

Cookies at Tuesday's Equal Pay Day rally will provide a
visual image of Michigan's pay gap.

On Tuesday, April 9, Equal Pay Day, Michigan Women's Forum will provide coverage of a Lansing rally that calls on Michigan legislators to support equal pay for equal work. Equal Pay Day marks how far into the year a woman must work, on average, to earn as much as a man earned the previous year.

The event starts at noon in the State Capitol Rotunda. The live blog and open conversation launches at 11:30 a.m. at MichiganWomensForum.com.

Michigan's pay gap ranks among the worst in the country, with women earning an average 74 cents for each dollar men earn. In addition to the rally, advocates will also lobby state lawmakers to pass House and Senate bills that would:

• Strengthen the Elliott-Larsen Act to make it clear that sex-based wage discrimination is illegal under Michigan law; 
• Increase penalties for wage discrimination based on gender; 
• Establish a pay equity study commission; 
• Allow employees to learn what their co-workers earn, so they can know whether they are receiving equal pay

According to an event press release, in the 50th year after passage of the federal equal pay legislation, the National Committee on Pay Equity reports the wage gap remained statistically unchanged. Nationally, women's earnings were 77 percent of men's in 2011, compared to 77.4 percent in 2010, based on median earnings of all full-time, year-round workers. Men's earnings in 2011 were $48,202 and women's were $37,118, a difference of $11,084.

Representatives of 21 Michigan organizations will attend the rally. Advocates will hand out chocolate chip cookies with a “bite” taken out to symbolize the pay disparity. Learn more and take part in a virtual lobbying effort at http://progressmichigan.org/equalpayday.

Michigan Women's Voices Call for Action After Sandy Hook Massacre

Near the end of a holiday celebrating "the triumph of light over darkness", we are mourning the tragic deaths of six adults and 20 children in the second worst mass shooting in U.S. history. 

Combing through social media and blogs over the past 48 hours, we found women's words that express outrage, determination, even hope for a better world. We share them in the hope of inspiring you to do as President Barack Obama suggests and "be at our best as Americans".

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It takes a community to turn children into the leaders they grow up to be. It takes a community to address violence and tragedy. It takes a community to support and promote a strong education program. Just as they are coming together in Connecticut, we must come together and stand together against violence and the loss of innocence in our community so that a tragedy like this doesn’t happen close to home. It is our responsibility.

Julie Abshire, Wyandotte Patch Investing in Innocence

As a parent, I like the idea of telling kids to “look for the helpers.” It is a simple but powerful way to shift the focus from evil to good.

And maybe, as we look for the helpers, parents and caring adults can talk about ways everyone, including children, can be helpers.

We can pray for all those affected by the shooting.

We can send a card to Sandy Hook Elementary to let that community know we mourn with them.

We can show kindness to those around us who are hurting, who feel left out, who need a friend.

Sue Thoms, MLive.com Look for The Helpers: How Can We Apply the Wisdom of Mr. Rogers in Wake of Shooting in Connecticut?

What I want is for somebody to feel that the Newtown horror, the Connecticut tragedy, the American killing of 20 innocents and six of their protectors is finally the action, the horror, the moment that changes things, that leads to a type of gun control that can protect children, all children, in honor of these children.

Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press Perhaps Gun Control Now Possible in Honor of 20 Dead Children

We are all moved to tears & heartaches for those families who will be burying their children and loved ones in the days to come. But, until we are moved to action, to demand our elected leaders do something to stop the bloodshed, we are all culpable in the spread of gun violence across this country.

Lori Haas, Moms Rising Please... 

I believe it is upon the mothers of America now to raise their voices and oppose the gun culture. It is time for them to call on their leaders to pass stronger laws limiting access to guns. It is time for mothers of America to ensure that these kids death will began a new revolution opposing the "Crazy Gun” culture.

Leymah Gbowee, The Daily Beast Rise Up, Mothers. It's Time to End Gun Violence

After the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School Friday, a spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger said that it might have meant “the difference between life and death for many innocent bystanders.” This is a popular theory of civic self-defense that discounts endless evidence that in a sudden crisis, civilians with guns either fail to respond or respond by firing at the wrong target.

Gail Collins, New York Times Looking for America

And we must aspire and act together to become the world leader in protecting children against gun violence rather than leading the world in child victims of guns. Every child’s life is sacred and it is long past time that we protect all our children.

Marian Wright Edelman, Huffington Post  Dear God! When Will It Stop? 

As citizens, we must all take a stand. March, protest, Facebook, Tweet, write your congressman, senators and legislators urging them to ban guns. Send the President this petition and speak up for the 20 innocent children who no longer have a voice.

Rana Florida Shame on Us, America: Take a Stand and #BanGuns Now

I later read that when some of the children escaped, the rescuers told them to hold hands and shut their eyes so they wouldn't have to witness the terror around them. "Close your eyes," they were instructed.

We need to open ours.

Melissa Sher On Friday Morning

If we will not implement gun control, and will not make mental health a universal, destigmatized resource, then the least we can do is protect the most obvious targets of the mentally unstable people who commit these crimes. 

Tracy Moore, jezebel.com Connecticut Elementary School Shootings: Who Are We Supposed to Be Mad At? 

If you want to do something more: How to Help Families Affected by Newtown School Shooting

Need a Pep Talk? Listen to Whitmer and Warren - Again

This week's debacle over Right-to-Work legislation and the breakneck speed with which a package of anti-choice bills are moving calls forth echoes of a battle women lawmakers fought earlier this year in Lansing. 

In this YouTube.com video posted in June by Michigan Senate Democrats, State Senators Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Rebekah Warren gave an impassioned plea, after State Reps. Lisa Brown and Barb Byrum were barred from speaking after statements they made during a debate over HB 5711. According to HuffPost Detroit:

House Bill 5711 would regulate abortion clinics as surgical centers by imposing strict physical building requirements on them, such as minimum doorway sizes and minimum square footage. The regulations could effectively shut down some clinics in the state. 

The omnibus bill also includes a provision that ends telemedicine abortions, which are commonly used by women in rural and medically under-served areas of the state. 

"We need to stand up and let our voices be heard," Whitmer said. 

If you need a pep talk, this is it. Give it a look. 

Resources Inform Michigan Women Voters

With a presidential race, six ballot proposals, federal, state, county and local offices and issues to consider, Michigan voters are faced with a long ballot – and potentially long lines – on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Michigan Women's Forum urges you to cast your vote in this year's election, whether at the polls or via absentee ballot. (There's still time for you to apply for an absent voter ballot; the deadline to receive one by mail is Saturday at 2 p.m. Check with your local clerk's office for more information.)

We've found a number of resources to help you become a more informed voter: 

The League of Women Voters - Michigan provides state-wide candidate and ballot proposal guides. Vote411.org, a project of the League of Women Voters Education Fund, includes a searchable data base of non-partisan information and a tool that provides personalized voting information. The Citizens Research Council provides a detailed analysis of the ballot proposals at election.crcmich.org. 

There are women's groups working for President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Michigan NOW has announced its endorsements for federal, judicial, some state, county and local races, and three of the six ballot proposals. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan has published its 2012 General Election Voter guide, as has Right to Life of Michigan.

If you want to find out who's supporting candidates and how political action committees are spending their dollars, the Michigan Secretary of State website provides a searchable campaign finance database at mi.gov/sos. The website also offers a voter information center, where you can learn whether you're registered to vote, what your ballot will look like and more. 

The Center for Michigan has fact-checked a number of ads during this campaign season, which you'll find at michigantruthsquad.org. 

In short, there's a wealth of information available out there. And you've got just four more days to dig into it. 

Did we miss a great election-related source of information or voter guide? Share the name and link in a comment. 

Democrats in Northville discuss what's at stake for women today

Last night, three feminists came together at a school in Northville to talk about what's at stake for women in today's political climate.

Hosted by the Northville Democratic Club, the town hall meeting featured State Rep. Dian Slavens, Oakland-Macomb County NOW chapter president Kim Beebe and Women's Information Network director Kristy Pagan. Northville Patch recapped the event

At issue are the more than 1,100 pieces of legislation brought forward federally, by the National Organization of Women’s count, that address topics such as defunding Planned Parenthood, outlawing morning after contraception and prohibiting birth control pill insurance coverage. They have been introduced mostly by Republicans, but, some Democrats have supported these efforts. And women, who are as politically diverse in opinion as men, have also supported these measures.

Beebe pointed out that elected officials aren't discussing men's health issues as much as they are women's, and Slavens suggested the declining number of women running for office. Pagan pointed to the issue of raising money as a factor in keeping women out of the political arena.

Read the story in Northville Patch

Guest Post: Prostitute for Change

Apparently, I am a whore. 

I really hope my grandfather doesn’t read this, because his dream was for me to become the first female President of the United States.  But according to more than a few politicos lately, such political leadership is not a real option for me – presumably because of my whoring ways. 

Here’s the thing, though: I have never once sold my body for sex. 

What I have done, however, is talked publicly about the lack of women serving in public office, and what that deficit means for advancing policy and promoting civil political debate.  Earlier this winter, Michigan’s Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer was labeled a “government hooker” by conservative leader Greg McNeilly because she had a similar audacity to write about political sexism in a newspaper. 

I’ve also argued in favor of greater access to quality birth control for women.  Rush Limbaugh’s remarks last week imply that any woman who shares my opinion – women like Sandra Fluke – is a “prostitute,” and we should videotape our sex life to post online for his personal viewing pleasure.  (If we choose to do so, hopefully we’d at least be allowed to charge per view.) 

Heaven help me if I’d actually followed my grandfather’s advice and ran for President or Vice President.  Then I would have had to compete against other notorious “bimbos” and “sluts” like Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman.

Perhaps most egregious, I happen to own my own consulting business and work for paying clients.  Last January, Michigan state senator Rick Jones called public relations maven Kelly Rossman-McKinney a “hooker” for the same reason.  Heck, by that standard, the fact the I’ve ever held any job makes me a prostitute, since the basic employment contract requires that I perform acts for someone else’s benefit (usually a male boss, owner or shareholder) in exchange for a paycheck. 

So, I’ve made a decision.  I figure as long as I’m out here “turning tricks” for my business so I can afford warmth, shelter and sustenance, I might as well try to do some good with my hooking income.  From now on, every time I read or hear about a woman referred to as a hooker, slut, prostitute, or any variation on that theme, I’m adding a dollar to my new “Whore Jar.” 

Given the ignorance and disrespect that passes for political commentary these days, I have no doubt my Whore Jar will soon overflow.  Come this fall, I’m going to take that money and donate it directly to a progressive, pro-choice, female candidate who vows to focus on innovative solutions for the real problems in this country (like, oh, I don’t know, maybe the economy, jobs, health care, or social welfare) once she is elected.

And when I hand her that check, I’m going to look her in the eye and tell her that I’m donating my “whore money” on behalf of all the other women out here trying to live and work and raise families in a world that continues to degrade our gender because we dare try.

Hopefully, this action will help ease my grandfather’s anxiety when he realizes that the oldest, legally educated, business-owning, outspoken, pride of his bloodline is not actually a leader, but an all-to-common whore.

Shannon M. Garrett helps “average Janes and Joes” to embrace their ambitions for political leadership through her firm, SMG Strategies.  Shannon strongly believes that political leadership belongs to all of us – even if you happen to have a uterus.  She can be reached at smgstrategies@gmail.com. 

Brides of Color Expo held in Southfield Oct. 22

On Saturday, October 22, Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield is hosting the Brides of Color Bridal Expo.

From 11 a.m.-5 p.m., come experience the great services provided by vendors specializing in bridal/tuxedo services, travel agents, banquet and hotel accommodations, catering, personal fitness, spa and salon services, stationary, photographers/videographers and so much more.

The show will feature, eb Cosmetic, developed by life coach and cosmetics expert Dr. Elise Andrea Calvert. The eb Cosmetics studio offers a complete line of natural, mineral-based cosmetics and skincare for women of all skin types. Dr. Calvert invites women to visit her booth and experience a natural way of beauty with a free consultation and mini-makeover. The line’s main studio is located at 336 Main Ste. 102, Rochester; information is available at facebook.com/ebcosmetics.

The first 50 brides will receive a complimentary goodie bag. Hope United Methodist Church is located on 26275 Northwestern Hwy. For more information about attending this expo, call eb Cosmetics at 248-652-8511.

Michigan woman launches vegan shoe line

Elizabeth Katzman

Detroit-area TV host, blogger and momtrepreneur Elizabeth Katzman is committed to living a kinder, cleaner lifestyle...in style. Her new shoe collection for women, "Elizabeth's," fuses fashion and compassion in smart, trend-right styles that are also vegan, eco-friendly and cruelty-free.

Handmade in the United States of recycled materials, Elizabeth's features the season's must-have footwear: Peep-toe booties in faux leather are long on style but short on environmental impact; they're biodegradable and emit no volatile compounds. Faux suede slingbacks are versatile, sexy and made from recycled plastic and soft, ultra-microfiber. And side-zip faux leather combat boots are funky, fashionable and, like all Elizabeth's styles, finely crafted and comfortable enough to be worn every day.

For warmer climes, there are Elizabeth's jelly flip flops, sporting a black cow print or pink pigs and the message "Go Veg."

"This collection was born from my love for animals and fashion," says Katzman. "Although the two are often mutually exclusive, I don't believe they have to be."

Katzman, who lives in Birmingham, is a former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom to two young boys. She created the website and blog "Elizabeth's Kind Cafe" (elizabethskindcafe.com) to share tips on cooking, composting and gardening with kids, teaching them to care for the earth and themselves. She and her family became vegan in the process, meaning they don't use or eat animal products, because of the widespread abuse and exploitation of animals for food and also because of the considerable health and environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.

"The vegan lifestyle makes sense on so many levels, and that means not only what we eat, but what we put on our bodies and in our homes," she adds.

Katzman's desire to share her passion as well as resources for a kinder, cleaner lifestyle led to hosting the current "Elizabeth's Kind Cafe" weekly talk and cooking show on Bloomfield Community TV. She also created a store on her website to make available helpful products such as books, cruelty-free cosmetics and her easy-to-use, all-natural DIY Home Cleaning Kit. Her new shoe collection fills yet another important need:

"There are vegan shoes out there, but for style-conscious women looking for really fabulous but cruelty-free footwear, there's a hole in the market. My goal with Elizabeth's is to fill that void, and I look forward to introducing more great styles in the months to come."

Elizabeth's shoes are sold at elizabethskindcafe.com.

A portion of the proceeds from every sale benefits People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and 1% for the Planet, a global environmental initiative.

Pay equity presentations in Royal Oak, Grand Rapids, Dearborn

Mary Pollock, Michigan NOW legislative vice-president, will deliver three presentations on pay equity at college campuses in Michigan this month and next:

Fundraiser to Support Women and Journalism Internship

Michigan Women's Media, Inc. will host an evening fundraiser next month to kick-start its Women and Journalism Internship.

Sponsored by Southfield-based Center for Financial Planning, "Women of Words" will be held on October 15, 7 p.m., at the historic Masonic Hall, 23715 Farmington Rd., in downtown Farmington. Guests will meet and hear from three women authors:

Brenda Dziedzic, author of Learn About Butterflies in the Garden, has raised more than 3,000 butterflies in her own backyard. She is co-founder and president of the Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association, and can show you how to create a butterfly habitat in your own backyard.

Joy Gaines-Friedler teaches creative writing both privately and for Springfed Arts Detroit Working Writers. She is also a Writer-in-Residence for InsideOut Literary Arts Project. Her book, Like Vapor, was published by Mayapple Press, 2008 and her work has been widely published in literary magazines.

Rebecca Johns' first novel, Icebergs, was a finalist for the 2007 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for first fiction and a recipient of the Michener-Copernicus Award. Her second, The Countess, a fictionalization of the life of Elizabeth Bathory, the “Blood Countess", was published in 2010.

As you listen to authors read from their works, you'll enjoy tea service, desserts and tea sandwiches from Ginger's Cafe. There will be time for questions, and authors will have copies of their books for sale.

This event will help establish the Michigan Women's Media Women and Journalism Internship, which will offer student journalists the opportunity to write about women's issues for MichiganWomensForum.com  Tickets are $15 and must be purchased by Oct. 10 at MichiganWomensMedia.org, at Sunflour Bakehaus in downtown Farmington (cash or check only), or by sending a check to Michigan Women's Media, P.O. Box 921, Farmington MI 48332-0921. Tickets are not tax deductible. The nonprofit's 501(c)3 application is pending.

Purchase your ticket now!