"Unhappy Hour" Planned by Women's Group to Mark Gender Pay Inequality

The American Association of University Women Lake Wales Branch is inviting the public to gather with them on Friday, March 31st to conduct an "Unhappy Hour" marking the disparity between wages earned by men and women in the workforce.

March 14 is Equal Pay Day 2023, a day that symbolizes the full year and two and a half months of the new year in which women must work to earn what men were paid the previous year.

"Since March 31st is the last day of Women’s History Month, a month celebrating the many accomplishments of women throughout history, it is a fitting date to show how unhappy we are that the gender pay gap still exists," said Juanita Felice-Zwaryczuk, president of the Lake Wales AAUW, and one of the event organizers.

Attendees will learn more about the Paycheck Fairness Act that could, if passed, help rectify this situation. The event will be held at Wales Pointe Restaurant, 207 East Park Avenue in Lake Wales, between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

A resolution supporting equal pay for equal work was recently rejected by Lake Wales Mayor Jack Hilligoss, antagonizing some in the community. Commissioner Danny Krueger responded to the complaints by saying that the gender pay gap has been "disproven."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women working full time, year-round in 2020 in the United States typically earned 83% percent of what men earned. In 2022 that statistic moved only one cent higher. Since nearly four in 10 mothers are primary breadwinners in their households, and nearly two-thirds are primary or significant earners, making progress toward pay equity is critical to the economic security of families, according to the AAUW..

"Please join us to raise awareness of this inequity that affects women nationwide," Felice-Zwaryczuk added. "We will wear something red to symbolize how far women are 'in the red' with their pay. Join us and enjoy lively conversation with like-minded women, and brainstorm with us regarding strategies to help women cope with the inequity."

For more information or questions about the event call 631-317-0159 or email [email protected].