Gender-based discrimination is extremely prevalent in the Washington state workplace. This issue is not only ubiquitous in our society, but growing and must be solved.

The wage gap is a prodigious portion of this issue. According to an article published in The Seattle Times on September 13, 2023, currently, according to data collected in 2021, women in Washington earn on average about 64.4% of what men make in our economy. This is a decrease from nearly 70% in 1992. This gap is even greater for women of color. In reference to an article released by the Washington State Standard in 2024, our state, when compared to the rest of the country, has a wage shortfall second only to Utah.

One reason why this inequality may exist is the constant growth of the technological sector in Washington where women hold only 20% of executive positions.

Patty Murray, our Washington state senator, proposed S.728, the Paycheck Fairness Act, in the Senate on March 9, 2023. Predominantly, this bill ensures that across the United States, wage discrimination on the basis of sex is further regulated and civil penalties for these violations will be increased. This act has not moved past the introductory stage.

I encourage readers to promote this bill by contacting their legislatures and asking them to vote yes to support the hard-working women all around us.

Lila Horn,

San Juan Island