*** MEDIA ADVISORY *** 

WOMEN'S GROUP HIGHLIGHTS FAIR PAY ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EQUAL PAY ACT 
IWF Heads to Capitol Hill to Set the Record Straight About the Wage Gap
Gives "Sweet" Reminders That Women Are Not Shortchanged And Have More Choices And Opportunities Than Ever Before
 

(WASHINGTON, DC) — Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. But instead of spending the day celebrating the many opportunities enjoyed by today's empowered woman, the far left will be painting a false picture of women as victims in need of more support from Uncle Sam.

The Independent Women's Forum (IWF) is fighting back with facts … and treats! This morning, IWF is headed to Capitol Hill to set the record straight on the wage gap and ensure our nation's leaders get a balanced, honest discussion.

To highlight the rainbow of choices and exceptional opportunities women have today, IWF will be handing out 600 donuts and bags of Skittles with a message. Attached to the bags of Skittles is a "Dear Daughter" letter (see below for full letter), which sets the record straight about the wage gap, life's many choices, success and opportunity ahead of a girls life, a wage gap fact sheet that also explains the adverse consequences of passing legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act, a video promo and QR code that leads people to a short, three minute video debunking the wage gap, and a message highlighted in the colors of the rainbow to women today that reads:

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act and women across the country should celebrate the sweet choices and opportunity they have.

There is so much good news for women and girls that it is really unfortunate that the alarmists, traditional women’s groups and some lawmakers in Washington continue to paint society and the workplace as hostile toward women and girls.

Women are not shortchanged; women are outpacing men educationally, soaring to the top of nearly every profession, running for office, influencing public policy, and acting as the breadwinners for the families.

We all know that making choices can be difficult. But it’s the ability to choose a path based on personal values that makes us human.

As women today, we know we have more choices and opportunity than ever before. We aren’t victims. Our earning potential is in our hands. 

IWF staff and volunteers will be handing out the sweet reminders from 7:30 to 11 a.m. outside of the Union Station Metro stop in Washington D.C.

Sabrina Schaeffer, executive director of the Independent Women's Forum, said, "There is so much good news for women and girls today and despite what radical feminists and groups on the left tell you, women are not victims in need of special protection from government. Women are outpacing men educationally, soaring to the top of professional fields, running for office, choosing to lean in or lean out of their careers, are the leading consumers and are increasingly becoming the breadwinners. Choices can be difficult to make throughout life, and all choices come with tradeoffs, but women today have more choices and opportunity than ever before. We aren't shortchanged, our earning potential is in our own hands and that is something to celebrate."

*"Dear Daughter" letter from the Independent Women's Forum

Dear Daughter,

I want to talk straight with you about the wage gap. A lot of people are going to tell you that you are only paid 77 percent of what a man makes because you’re a girl.  I want you to know that’s just not true. The much harder truth is that how much you earn depends mostly on the choices you make.

When you go to college be aware that the major you choose will make a big difference in your future earning potential. Engineering and computer science just pay better than psychology and social work. Later, you might want to start a family and choose to work less outside the home when you do. You might want more flexibility and a job that pays less but works better for your schedule.  Today girls like you have more opportunity and choices than ever before – just remember, all choices come with tradeoffs.

Too often we measure success solely by our salaries. But that’s not how I want you to see your life. You can be President, run a major company, or choose a career that doesn't pay as much but that you find fulfilling. You can be a career woman or a stay-at-home mom, or anything in between — I'll be just as proud of you. I just want you to be you and to take responsibility for your choices.

There are people who will treat you unfairly because you’re a girl. And there are people who will treat your little brother unfairly because he’s a boy. But we are all protected under the law from gender discrimination, and you should never fail to defend yourself.

Just remember: It’s the ability to choose that make us free. All the wishing and laws in the world can never eliminate the need for us to make tradeoffs, and often government intervention hurts the very people they say they want to help.

In the end, the world is what you make of it.

Love,

Mom

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Independent Women's Forum is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) research and educational institution dedicated to building awareness of the ways that women benefit from limited government, personal liberty, and economic freedom, and by countering those who seek to ever expand government in the name of protecting women.