Centralia Business and Professional Women held an annual rally at the Centralia American Legion on Saturday for Equal Pay Day. Members turned out to express their support for closing the gender wage gap. BPW member Alex Hyer spoke to start the event and talked about the day’s significance.
“Equal Pay Day represents how many extra days into the new year women must work to earn what men earned by December 31 of last year,” Hyer said. “For many women in America, that means working weeks or even months into the new year before their pay finally catches up.”
Centralia City Manager Galen Mahle spoke at the event on behalf of the city. Mahle expressed his support for the cause of equal pay for all and said the city is committed to treating all employees fairly. He noted union contracts with the city that prevent a gender wage gap for union employees and the presence of women in positions of leadership throughout the city government.
There were 37 total entrants in the student essay contest this year. Submissions were received from junior high and high school students in the area. This year’s winners were Caden Higgins of Centralia High School and Briella Alcorn of St. Mary’s School. Both winners read their winning essays, and each was presented with a $100 check.
Following the activities at the American Legion, those in attendance took a symbolic march to Centralia City Hall holding signs calling for equal pay.
Members of Centralia BPW walk down the street by the Centralia American Legion for the Equal Pay Day Rally. Photo by Austin Williams.
Left to right: Jr. High essay winner Briella Alcorn, BPW’s Carrie Perkins-Shnicker, and High School essay winner Caden Higgins.
