Equal Pay Act of 1963

The Equal Pay Act of 1963, signed by President Kennedy, was a landmark federal law aimed at eliminating wage discrimination based on gender. It made it illegal for employers to pay men and women differently for the same work. The push for this legislation emerged from the increased participation of women in the workforce during World War II, which raised concerns among male workers about job security and wages.

Initial attempts to legislate equal pay began in 1945 with the Women's Equal Pay Act, but efforts stalled due to debates over the definition of "comparable work." Over the following decades, various bills were proposed but failed to pass. By 1960, women earned only 59 cents for every dollar earned by men, despite making up 37% of the workforce.

Labor activist Esther Peterson played a crucial role in reviving the movement for equal pay, culminating in a draft bill submitted to Congress in 1963. The bill's language was adjusted from "comparable work" to "equal work," making it easier to gain support. Despite opposition from business groups, the Act was passed as an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, benefiting from existing enforcement mechanisms.

President Kennedy emphasized the importance of the Act as a first step towards achieving economic equality for women, and its passage paved the way for further advancements in gender equality, notably the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“Equal Pay Act of 1963 (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/articles/equal-pay-act.htm. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.