Hillary Clinton Campaign Press Release - First 81 Nevada Women Sign on for Equal Pay

On Equal Pay Day, Nevadans Urge Congress to Support Clinton-Sponsored Paycheck Fairness Act

In recognition of Equal Pay Day, Nevadans for Hillary today announced the first 81 Nevada women to sign on in support of Senator Hillary Clinton's efforts to end pay discrimination -- symbolizing the 81 cents Nevada women make for every dollar earned by a male counterpart. Hundreds more are anticipated to send letters to the Nevada congressional delegation urging support of Clinton's Paycheck Fairness Act.

The average American woman will need to work through April 24th, 2007 to earn the same amount a man doing the same job earned during 2006. Because of the disparity, April 24 has been dubbed "Equal Pay Day."

Nationally, working women earn just 77 cents for every $1.00 earned by a male counterpart. Women of color fare even worse, with African-American women earning only 67 cents and Latinas only 56 cents for every $1.00 earned by white men."

"Nevadans can count on Hillary Clinton to stand up for fair treatment in the workplace -- and her leadership on this legislation proves it once again," said Frankie Sue Del Papa, Northern Nevada Chair, Nevadans for Hillary. "The response to this letter campaign shows that women are stepping up to support Senator Clinton because of her experience and her advocacy on real issues that affect real people here in Nevada."

The Paycheck Fairness Act, re-introduced by Senator Clinton in March, will take critical steps to empower women to negotiate for equal pay, to create strong incentives for employers to obey the laws that are in place, and to strengthen federal outreach and enforcement efforts. The Act is designed to prevent pay discrimination and help to close the wage gap nationwide.

The first 81 Nevada women to sign letters urging the Nevada congressional delegation to support the Paycheck Fairness Act are:

Ivet Aldaba

Nedra Armstrong

Margie Bowman

Christiane Brown

Willia Chaney

Jennifer DiMarzio

Vilma Gorre

Nicole Lawson

Adriana Martinez

Phyllis Matsuda

Toni Mims

Rebecca Pamais-Sellers

Jennifer Roberts

Alicia Shipp

Janice Valdez

Cindy Reid

Nancy Alf

Roxana Ayakawa

Gwen Braimoh

Susan Bunyan

Samantha Charles

Pam Egan

Carol Harter

Rozita Lee

Susie Martinez

Peggy Maze Johnson

Kathleen Montes

Felicia Pellegalle

Kathleen Robins

Carol Lee Skervin

Betty Valdez

Katie Wolken

Carmen James Ancher

Amie Belmonte

Jennifer Braster

Gail Burks

Rosemary Congero

Kathy England

Jessica Hoffman

Esther Lee

Gina Martinez

Aquonetta McCollough

Dana Myers

Loganayagie Provost

Emma Rodriguez

Gloria Sturman

Yolanda Villanueva

Anna Winman

Veronica Arana

Katherine Bennett

Elizabeth Brickfield

Virginia Cain

Liz Carrasco

Ann Fields

Verlia Hoggard-Davis

Patty Liemel

Consuelo Martinez

Roxanne McCoy

Dedee Nave

Jacki Ramirez

Ramona Sanchez

Tiffany Thompson

Donna Watson

Sherri Rice

Jesica Arana

Chelsea Bibb

Joy Brittingham

Brenda Chaney

Frankie Sue Del Papa

Danica Daneshforouz

Jesse Danen

Sherril Jaske

Cecelia Maldonado

Evelyn Mastumoto

Nelida McKellar

Carmen Oliveras

Margarita Rebollal

Sharon Scroggins

Mai Tieu

Vicki Orozco

Elvira Diaz

Nevadans for Hillary is asking residents to join these 81 women by writing letters asking members of the state's congressional delegation to support the Paycheck Fairness Act. A sample letter may be downloaded at www.hillaryclinton.com or obtained, along with a list of Nevada congressional delegation addresses, by emailing nvvolunteers@hillaryclinton.com.

According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, working women stand to lose $250,000 over the course of a career because of unequal pay practices -- a difference in pay that cannot be explained by experience, education, or other qualifications. At the current rate of change, working women in Nevada will not achieve equal pay until 2020. Nationally, women will not achieve equal pay until after 2050.

The wage gap hurts women in all aspects of their lives. For example, more than 21 percent of Nevada women are without health insurance, and nearly 12 percent of women live below the poverty line.

The Paycheck Fairness Act was originally introduced during the 109th Congress, with 18 co-sponsors -- including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Senator Clinton re-introduced the Act this March, during Women's History Month.