2019: Two Critical Steps Towards Equal Pay

Angela Solomon • May 27, 2019

Last Monday, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced a plan as a Democratic president hopeful to force the hand of corporations in the latest battle for gender equality in the workplace. Harris said, "when we lift up the economic status of women, you lift up their families, their neighborhoods, and all of society." I agree with Harris when she said, "it's an issue that’s been around for far too long without much progress at all." As much as I've blogged about it, staffed and career coached all kinds of women over the years, the same issues remain, and 'something's gotta give' on this issue. In terms of Wall Street, workplace conditions and inequality in pay for the same work, our current, accepted system is simply outrageous. Wall Street is synonymous with money, stature and class, but this is only true for the white male population. I hear it all the time--women who are plenty of times stuck in title, given more responsibilities in work and drastically underpaid compared to their white men counterparts (not infrequently up to 100k difference in salary). 


Harris claims that under her administration all corporations would need to receive "Equal Pay Certification" from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She mentioned going so far as to use executive privilege to establish equal pay for women, if Congress fails to take the right steps. As it stands in mid 2019, women still make 80 cents on the dollar to their white male counterparts, while African-American and Hispanic women get paid 60 cents to the dollar. The realm of government oversight on companies is a legal quagmire—however, it’s an oversight that might just need to happen, given that it’s 2019 and we find ourselves in this position. Until our society decides to strictly enforce penalties and oversight on these companies things won't change. Cash is the ultimate king and when companies start feeling the heat through fines and levies women will finally start seeing changes in their paychecks. This is a reinforcing cycle, as once women are given the spending power they deserve, they will reassert their worth, and so the cycle continues. 


Other presidential hopefuls are lock in step with passing bills that directly impact women in the workplace when it comes to pay. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) "has an equal pay initiative that is part of his 12-point economic agenda." Booker, Klobuchar and Mayor Pete Buttigieg are also on the gender pay equality bandwagon. It’s a good sign that equal pay is on many hopefuls minds, but Harris' plan in particular is most promising, inasmuch as it will accelerate the movement well beyond former President Barack Obama's pay equity execution action in 2016.


A couple of months ago I attended a Women'sWerk Women in Power conference which had several panel discussions led by African American and Hispanic C-Suite experts in the field of diversity and inclusion. One of the topics discussed was gender pay inequality and the need for salary transparency. Essentially, don't be afraid to tell other women how much you make. The way I grew up, discussing money outside of your home and with people who weren't directly affected by your income that was considered rude and never too be discussed. But this conference shed light on how one of the key ways to go about making a change is to move beyond this socially constructed taboo, and be open with other sisters in the industry and beyond. We have to be on the same side, making everything inequitable about the system transparent and visible to all. Only by bringing it into the light and into discussion can we begin to bring about systemic change. 


Both of these approaches are critical when it comes to the fight for gender pay equality. The government needs to step in to make companies open their books and show what their men and women are being paid. In turn, employees, especially women and people of color, need to learn the importance in being transparent and sharing their experiences. Acknowledgment and discussion leads to change.


We are better together!


I AM someone who sees incredible potential in places most  people don't think to look. As an owner of a diversity staffing boutique, my team and I walk alongside our Clients in creating professional environments that are truly for ALL. I believe in our interconnectedness as a human race and strive every day to use my gifts to empower the workplace’s invisible and powerless. I rarely bet on certainty and always root for the underdog because, after all, those are the best stories to tell.


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The Evolving Landscape of Corporate DEI: Key Insights from Recent Reports

By Angela Solomon • October 10, 2024
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From Stale Bread to Fresh Ideas: The DNA of Today's Thriving Professional

By Angela Solomon • September 26, 2024
As a career coach and self-proclaimed lifelong learner, I’m always telling my clients, “If you’re not growing, you’re going stale—and let’s face it, nobody likes stale bread.” In today’s fast-changing workforce, it’s not enough to just show up anymore. Success now means adapting, learning, and constantly evolving with the world around you. The DNA of today’s working professional is in constant motion, and if you’re still running on yesterday’s playbook, you might just miss out on what’s ahead. Today’s workforce looks nothing like it did a decade ago. Tech is transforming every industry, and there’s a bigger focus on values like flexibility, inclusivity, and personal growth. People want more from their careers—they want purpose, not just a paycheck. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, self-motivation, and being comfortable with change. So, let’s dive into how today’s professional DNA stacks up against the past: 1. Adaptability vs. Stability Today : Flexibility is everything. Whether it’s technology, business practices, or job roles, change is constant. Professionals need to be able to pivot and pick up new skills quickly. If you're not evolving, you're likely being left behind. Yesterday : Stability was the goal. You stayed in one job or industry, building deep expertise in a specific area. Specialization was the key to success, and change was something you tried to avoid. 2. Continuous Learning vs. Credential-Driven Success Today : Learning never stops. Whether it’s through online courses, certifications, or simply staying on top of industry trends, professionals are expected to keep their skills fresh. It's not just about what you learned in school—it's about what you keep learning. Yesterday : A degree, especially from a well-known school, was often enough to get you through your career. Once you had the right credentials, continuous learning wasn’t a huge focus. 3. Agility in Technology vs. Traditional Tools Today : Being tech-savvy isn’t optional. From automation to collaboration tools, technology is part of almost every job. You’ve got to be able to use these tools to stay relevant. Yesterday : Tools like spreadsheets and email were enough for most roles. Technology was there, but it wasn’t deeply integrated into non-tech jobs the way it is today. 4. Values-Driven Work vs. Hierarchical Loyalty Today : People want purpose, not just a paycheck. Employees are looking for work that aligns with their values, and companies that support things like work-life balance and mental health. It’s not just about loyalty anymore—it’s about feeling good about where you work. Yesterday : Loyalty to a company was a major factor. You worked hard, stayed loyal, and didn’t necessarily expect the company to care about your personal values. The focus was on putting in the time and doing the work. 5. Diversity & Inclusion as a Key Focus vs. Homogeneous Workplaces Today : Diversity and inclusion aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. Today’s professionals expect their workplaces to reflect a wide range of perspectives, genders, and experiences. Everyone wants to feel seen and valued. Yesterday : Diversity wasn’t as much of a priority. Many workplaces were homogenous, and inclusion wasn’t discussed the way it is today. 6. Agile Leadership vs. Command-and-Control Management Today : Leadership is about collaboration and empathy. Today’s leaders are facilitators, mentors, and motivators. They encourage open communication and care about the people, not just the tasks. Yesterday : Leadership was more about control. It was top-down, with leaders making decisions and everyone else following orders. The focus was on managing tasks, not people. 7. Freelancing & Flexibility vs. Full-Time, Traditional Employment Today : Flexibility is the name of the game. Freelancing, contracting, and remote work are all becoming more popular as professionals look for control over their schedules and projects. Yesterday : Full-time employment with a single company was the norm. People worked their way up the corporate ladder and stuck around for the long haul. 8. Networking & Personal Branding vs. Quiet Expertise Today : Building a personal brand is important. It’s not enough to do great work—you need to make sure people know you’re doing great work. Networking on platforms like LinkedIn has become a key part of staying visible in your industry. Yesterday : You could quietly focus on your expertise. Long-term relationships and internal company networks were often enough to advance your career. 9. Emphasis on Soft Skills vs. Technical Mastery Alone Today : Emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration are highly valued. You’ve got to be able to work well with others and adapt to different working styles. Yesterday : Technical skills were often enough to get by. Soft skills mattered, but they didn’t get the same level of attention as they do now. 10. Entrepreneurial Mindset vs. Following the Corporate Playbook Today : Whether or not you’re starting your own business, having an entrepreneurial mindset can make a difference. Professionals today take ownership of their work, innovate, and even pursue side projects. Yesterday : Following the established corporate path was expected. You worked your way up within existing structures, and entrepreneurship was considered a more niche career path. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, purpose, and continuous growth. In contrast, yesterday’s professional valued stability, loyalty, and expertise in a more rigid structure. The modern professional thrives in a world that’s always changing, where technology and values shape careers as much as hard skills. Whether you’re freelancing, leading a team, or climbing the corporate ladder, the message is clear: if you’re not learning and evolving, you’re getting left behind. I empower the Invisible. I ignite Success. As a Black woman, small business owner, and advocate for inclusion, I’ve built my career around seeing potential where others may overlook. Through my staffing boutique and professional development/coaching service, I focus on creating real opportunities for marginalized communities, including women, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, disabled, and veteran professionals. I root for the underdog because they have the best stories to tell—and the most untapped potential.  #CareerGrowth #AdaptabilityMatters #LifelongLearning #ProfessionalDNA #ThriveAtWork #FutureOfWork #EvolveOrFade #InclusiveWorkplace #LeadershipEvolution #TechSavvySkills
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