On Tuesday, I was proud to stand with fellow elected officials in the city and state legislature, numerous advocates, and organizations on the steps of City Hall to rally in support of closing the gender wage gap. The 9th Annual NYC Equal Pay Day is an opportunity for us to assess our progress in ending pay disparity in a city where women represent more than half of the population.

In addition, we called for immediate action on the New York Equal Pay bill A.6075/S.1, sponsored by New York State Assembly Member Michele R. Titus. On Thursday, during the New York City Council Stated Meeting, I will introduce a resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign A.6075/S.1, which would amend the labor law, in relation to the prohibition of differential pay based on gender.

The NY Equal Pay bill will be a powerful tool to close the wage gap by protecting employees and their rights to share salary information without penalty, clarifying and closing loopholes in current law, and discouraging employers from unfair pay practices by increasing damages.

The rally was a huge success and was attended by numerous dynamic leaders, including, New York City Council Members Elizabeth Crowley and Darlene Mealy, co-chairs of the Women's Caucus; Helen Rosenthal, Vanessa Gibson, Robert Cornegy, Jr.; New York State Assembly Members Michele Titus, Aravella Simotas, Nily Rozic, and Joan Millman. Participating organizations included: PowHer NY Equal Pay Campaign, NYCLU, Catalyst, CWA Local 1180, A Better Balance, YWCA Brooklyn, AAUW-NYS, Women's City Club on NY, NY Paid Leave Coalition, Planned Parenthood of NYC, NARAL, NOW, League of Professional Theatre, EPW-NYC, 2020 Women on Boards, Equal Rights Advocates, AAUW NY, League of Women Voters - NYC and Zonta Club of NY.