Latinas Deserve Equal Pay—and Our Community Depends on It

Today, October 8, is Latina Equal Pay Day, a reminder of something we cannot ignore: Latinas are still paid far less than white, non-Hispanic men. Nationally, we earn only about 58 cents for every dollar. In Texas, Latinas of Mexican origin make more than 30 percent less in hourly wages.

This is not just a statistic. Over a lifetime, the wage gap can mean more than a million dollars lost. For families in the Rio Grande Valley, where many Latinas are the main breadwinners, that loss affects food on the table, health care, education, and long-term stability.

At Poder Latinx, we know these disparities are systemic. Latinas are overrepresented in low-wage jobs with few benefits, face barriers to higher education, and experience discrimination that limits career advancement. These are structural inequities that demand change.

Closing the pay gap is about fairness and economic growth. When Latinas are paid what we deserve, entire families and communities benefit. On this Latina Equal Pay Day, Poder Latinx calls on leaders, employers, and our community to take action—and we will continue fighting year-round to ensure economic justice and opportunity for all families in the RGV and across Texas.

 - Vianey Preciado, Texas State Director, Poder Latinx