The 2025 Senate Joint Resolution 47, introduced on May 9, 2025, by a group of senators and co-sponsored by numerous representatives, designates March 25, 2025, as Equal Pay Day in Wisconsin. This day symbolizes the additional time women must work into the new year to earn the same wages that men earned in the previous year. The resolution highlights the historical context of women's participation in the workforce since World War II and notes that Wisconsin women have consistently ranked among the top states for workforce participation. It also marks the 106th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, which was a significant milestone in the fight for women's rights.
The resolution emphasizes the importance of working women in enhancing the quality of life for families and communities in Wisconsin. It acknowledges the progress made in narrowing the pay equity gap, noting that in 2023, women earned 12 cents less per dollar compared to men, a significant improvement from 42 cents less in 1979. However, it also points out the disparities that still exist among different racial groups, with varying earnings percentages for White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic women. The resolution calls for continued efforts to address these disparities and recognizes the importance of equal pay in maintaining a high quality of life for Wisconsin families.