SERENA WILLIAMS, has spoken out on the gender and racial pay gap in a passionate essay penned for Black Women's Equal Pay Day.
“The gender pay gap hits women of colour the hardest,” the tennis star wrote for Fortune. “Together, we will change the story - but we are going to have to fight for every penny.”
Black women earn on average 63 per cent less than men and 17 per cent less than their white female counterparts in the US, a statistic that Williams is fighting to change with “dedicated action, legislation, employer recognition, and courage for employees to demand more”.
“In short, it’s going to take all of us. Men, women, of all colours, races and creeds to realise this is an injustice. And an injustice to one is an injustice to all,” she added.Williams - who partnered with digital polling service, SurveyMonkey, to find out Americans’ opinions on the pay gap - found that in addition to gender, “three-quarters of black women workers say there are still significant hurdles holding back minorities”.
William’s has been subjected to criticism throughout her career - despite winning more Grand Slam titles than any other player, male or female, in the open era - and has long been an advocate of speaking out against her critics.
“I’ve been disrespected by my male colleagues and - in the most painful times - I’ve been the subject of racist remarks on and off the tennis court,”
“In every stage of my life, I’ve had to learn to stand up for myself and speak out,” Williams continued. “I am blessed with an inner drive and a support system of family and friends that encourage me to move forward.”
Who could forget her killer comeback when she was asked how it felt to be “one of the greatest female athletes of all time”? ("I prefer the words 'one of the greatest athletes of all time,'" she responded at Wimbledon 2016.)
Whilst a large majority of those surveyed believed the gender and racial pay gap, not everyone understood that black workers - specifically women - see more obstacles in the workplace. 44 per cent of white males questioned in the survey didn't perceive a pay gap.
“I want to bring my perspective and experiences as an athlete, an entrepreneur and a black woman to the boardroom and help create a more inclusive environment in this white, male-dominated industry,” Williams wrote. “We deserve equal pay for our mothers, our wives, our daughters, our nieces, friends, and colleagues - but mostly, for ourselves.”
The athlete is trying to “figure out” how she can “open doors for everyone”, but called for the wage gap to be a starting point for change in the gap “women feel every day”, concluding her essay with an inspirational quote: “‘You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.’ Let’s get back those 37 cents.”
“The gender pay gap hits women of colour the hardest,” the tennis star wrote for Fortune. “Together, we will change the story - but we are going to have to fight for every penny.”
Black women earn on average 63 per cent less than men and 17 per cent less than their white female counterparts in the US, a statistic that Williams is fighting to change with “dedicated action, legislation, employer recognition, and courage for employees to demand more”.
“In short, it’s going to take all of us. Men, women, of all colours, races and creeds to realise this is an injustice. And an injustice to one is an injustice to all,” she added.Williams - who partnered with digital polling service, SurveyMonkey, to find out Americans’ opinions on the pay gap - found that in addition to gender, “three-quarters of black women workers say there are still significant hurdles holding back minorities”.
William’s has been subjected to criticism throughout her career - despite winning more Grand Slam titles than any other player, male or female, in the open era - and has long been an advocate of speaking out against her critics.
“I’ve been disrespected by my male colleagues and - in the most painful times - I’ve been the subject of racist remarks on and off the tennis court,”
“In every stage of my life, I’ve had to learn to stand up for myself and speak out,” Williams continued. “I am blessed with an inner drive and a support system of family and friends that encourage me to move forward.”
Who could forget her killer comeback when she was asked how it felt to be “one of the greatest female athletes of all time”? ("I prefer the words 'one of the greatest athletes of all time,'" she responded at Wimbledon 2016.)
Whilst a large majority of those surveyed believed the gender and racial pay gap, not everyone understood that black workers - specifically women - see more obstacles in the workplace. 44 per cent of white males questioned in the survey didn't perceive a pay gap.
“I want to bring my perspective and experiences as an athlete, an entrepreneur and a black woman to the boardroom and help create a more inclusive environment in this white, male-dominated industry,” Williams wrote. “We deserve equal pay for our mothers, our wives, our daughters, our nieces, friends, and colleagues - but mostly, for ourselves.”
The athlete is trying to “figure out” how she can “open doors for everyone”, but called for the wage gap to be a starting point for change in the gap “women feel every day”, concluding her essay with an inspirational quote: “‘You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.’ Let’s get back those 37 cents.”
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