Columbia Business and Professional Women are recognizing Equal Pay Day, Tuesday, April 19, 2005, with a social hour at Meritage beginning at 5:30 pm. The public is invited.

Men have to pay $10, and women pay $6.90. In SC women earn, on average $.69 for every $1.00 men earn. The National Average is $.76 for every $1.00. During the social hour, appetizers are free, and there will be a cash bar for drinks.

Each year, the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) organizes Equal Pay Day to raise awareness about unfair pay for women and people of color in America.

Equal Pay Day is observed in April to indicate how far into each year a woman must work to earn as much as a man earned in the previous year.

Tuesday is the day of the week that symbolizes when women’s wages catch up to men’s wages from the previous week.

Because women on average earn less, they must work longer for the same pay.