Women Have Lost More Than Jobs In This Pandemic

Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. Having grown in popularity over the last several years, it’s a day often used to celebrate women’s historical achievements and to make nice sounding platitudes about gender equality. But what we really need in this moment is real action from those in positions to effect change now. The theme this year is “Choose to Challenge.” For women, we have no choice but to challenge. My hope this IWD is that anyone and everyone who does have that choice, commits to taking meaningful action toward equality.

A few years ago, a case came before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Rizo v. Yovino had all the potential to be a landmark case in the history of sex discrimination; the plaintiff, a math educator named Aileen Rizo, brought suit against the school district alleging that she was paid less than her male peers because she was a woman. The named defendant, the superintendent of Fresno County’s public school system, maintained that sex was not a factor in her salary, as it was based on her previous wages, as were those of her coworkers.