Over this past weekend I watched the documentary 9 to 5: The Story of a Movement, which tells the story of a group of women in Cleveland, and all across the United States, that started the organization 9to5. Their goal was to get equal pay and rights for women in the work place. It is such an inspirational documentary about women recognizing the injustices in the work place, coming together and sharing their stories, and then mobilizing and making real change in the work world.

And while this movie gave me hope and energy and made my feminist heart sing, it also left me feeling incredibly angry about the lack of progress in the past 50 years since 9to5 and other organizations were created. According to the US Department of Labor, in 1973, women made 53 cents to a man’s dollar. In 2020, white women make 82 cents to a man’s dollar. The rate for women of color and minorities is even more abysmal. In 1973 the average family household income was $12,900, with rent at about $175 per month. That’s roughly 17% of your incoming going just to rent. Average family household income in 2020 was around $68,000, with rent averaging $1,500 per month. That’s just under 27% of the household’s annual income. And yet women’s pay has only increased by 29 cents? And that’s if you are white and educated and have the right connections.

It makes me livid that we are still fighting for equity in the work force when it comes to gender, race, education level versus real life experience and knowledge, and so many other flawed areas. I am thankful to the women, men, and others who have come before me and fought for equality in the workplace (and every space). There is still so much work to be done.