“This law is a major step toward closing the pay gap that affects so many women in the state of Maryland,” said Anita Rosen, co-state public policy chair of AAUW-Maryland. “We know that equal pay is not simply a women’s issue, it is a family issue and an economic issue. Wages lost to the pay gap mean less money in women’s pockets which results in less money for buying a home, an education, or saving for retirement. Women and their families can’t wait for equal pay. But this new law provides a major tool in their fair pay arsenal.”

Thank you AAUW Marylanders! Without AAUW, Anita Rosen would not have had the opportunity to stand behind Governor Hogan as he signed SB 481 / HB 1003 The Equal Pay bill on Thursday, May 19th.  And standing next to her was Senator Susan Lee, a member of Kensington-Rockville AAUW. Senator Lee was the main sponsor of the Senate bill, who spoke eloquently for it at the committee hearing, and worked so effectively with some many partners to make Maryland one of the most progressive states in the United States in regard to Pay Equity legislation, eliminating barriers to Equity such as the “employer Defense” loophole and prohibiting retaliation against sharing salary and job information. Thanks to AAUW’s national staff who supplied legislative alerts,  research data, and materials that helped make our case.  Thanks to the our coalition partner, Working Families, who invited  Senator Lee and Anita Rosen to speak at the Press Conference in front of the State House before the bill signing.  And thanks to the  AAUW Action Network supporters who sent over 100 messages to the governor urging him to sign the bill.

Kate Nielson of the National AAUW staff attended the bill signing and press conference. It was her first bill signing as well as Anita’s!  But it certainly was not Senator Lee’s first – she has successfully sponsored a number of bills that help make Maryland a better place for women, children and families.