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International Section

March 14 was Equal Pay Day 2023

Each year, this symbolic day is used to raise awareness around and combat the im-
pact of pay inequities. It marks the current state of the gender pay gap: 84% for full
- time workers and 77% for all workers (including part-time and seasonal).

BPW ADVOCACY—EQUAL PAY DAY - A page of History

How the Equal Pay Day Initiative became a BPW International project
As a gift from BPW USA for the 75th anniversary in 2005, BPW Interna-
tional received the leadership program IDP (Individual Development Pro-
gram), which BPW USA had developed for its members. In addition, BPW
USA organized a two-day IDP seminar in New York from 2006 to 2008,
just before the UN-CSW sessions began. BPW International members,
who came from all parts of the world, greatly appreciated the IDP semi-
nars and the lively exchanges. At the seminar, BPW USA trainers mentioned the USA Equal
Pay Day project and showed the Red Purse as symbols.

A BPW member from Frankfurt, Ishinay Kemmler, took up the idea, and BPW Germany
with President Bettina Schleicher organized the first Equal Pay Day in Germany in 2008. At
the first Leaders' Summit in 2009 in New York, organized by Past International Presidents Liz
Benham and Antoinette Rüegg, Ishinay Kemmler reported on her Club BPW Frankfurt's
experience with the Equal Pay Day initiative. The spark was ignited and several participants
of the Leaders' Summit took up the Equal Pay Day idea, carried it into their Federations and
Clubs and started various activities.

This is how the Equal Pay Day initiative became an official project of BPW International. A
great example of a bottom-up initiative by BPW International. Looking at our International
Theme today, the Equal Pay Day initiative is a great example of New Actions through Co-
operation.

Task Force Equal Pay

Chair: Dr. Bettina Schleicher, Germany. Members: Sandra Cook, Asia Pacific; Sheila Crook, Cana-
da; Elke Ickert, Europe; Lucille Isingoma, Africa; Johanna Marius, Africa; Marta Solimano, Latin
America (Argentina); Barbara Yong, North America
BPW International Report 2017-2021 /
https://www.bpw-international.org/activities/advocacy/

https://www.bpw-international.org/

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