Equal Pay Day

At ABLE, women comprise 95% of our staff.

Yet globally, women typically hold the lowest-paid and least secure positions. 

Equal Pay Day is a movement close to our heart here at ABLE. We aim to employ and empower women by paying them living wages. By investing in women’s futures, we contribute to moving society forward. 

As an ethical fashion brand that supports women around the world in Mexico, India, Ethiopia, and Brazil, and locally in Nashville, we are always honored to bring partners alongside us who share in the mission that every woman receives treatment and pay that reflects her immense worth.  

That’s why we’re beyond excited to be partnering with Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez for Equal Pay Day this year to raise awareness about this issue in the United States. 

Also known as @ZeroBasedBudget, Cindy aims to educate and empower by providing financially sound and savvy advice for the modern woman. 

Cindy shares her thoughts and research on equal pay in the workplace below. 

Equal Pay Day: 

Today’s date symbolizes how far into the year women in the U.S. must work to earn what white, non-Hispanic men earned in 2020: women earn $0.82 for every $1.00 white men make. But, it also doesn’t give the full picture:

• Asian American & Pacific Islander women earn $0.85 for every $1.00. This figure is dramatically lower for certain AAPI communities.  
• Black women earn $0.63 for every $1.00.
• Native American women earn $0.60 for every $1.00.
• Latina women earn $0.55 for every $1.00.

Pay Transparency:

It’s one thing for a company to say they pay their employees a “fair” wage. It’s quite another for a company to publish their LOWEST wages -- yes, publicly.  

• In 2017, ABLE shared information on its jewelry and fulfillment center in Nashville.  The report shows that a pay of $11.73/hour reflects the amount required to have a “living wage.” 
• ABLE went beyond that figure by publishing that its lowest paid employee earns $14/hour.  That’s nearly double the Nashville minimum wage ($7.25) at the time.

Beyond the United States:

ABLE also works with its manufacturing partners overseas to ensure they are - or are working towards - providing their workers with a living wage.

• Ethiopia does not have a national minimum wage. The average leatherworker in Ethiopia makes 1,200-1,500 birr/month compared to 4,000 birr living wage ($135 USD).
• ABLE has shared reports from its manufacturing partners in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which have reported lowest wages of 4,000; 2,000; 4,735; and 3,897 birr/month. The progress is encouraging and the hope is that more fashion companies will follow suit.

At ABLE, our mantra is progress over perfection, and we encourage other fashion brands to join with us, to strive for equality and a transformation of the fashion industry. This industry has the potential to break the cycle of poverty and empower women worldwide. How do you acknowledge Equal Pay Day and continue to fight for equality in your everyday life? Comment below or on our socials, and let’s continue the conversation and the movement for pay equality together.