Mónica Ramírez, founder of Justice for Migrant Women To Conduct Voter Activaiton at Nosotros Awards Gala
Los Angeles, CA — Making a last minute ask, Latina influencers released a video today urging people to vote for political leaders who are committed to closing the pay gap. The video, independently produced, was released just days after the Latina Equal Pay Day of action and prior to the midterm elections to further the conversation on the widening pay gap for Latina workers and the need to hold political leaders accountable. Latinas, on average, are paid 53 cents to the dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic male workers, according to the most recent available data.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that political leaders have failed to take the necessary corrective action to close the pay gap for Latina workers and all women workers by passing legislation at every level of government to guarantee fair pay and to protect workers rights,” – states activist Mónica Ramírez, founder of Justice for Migrant Women and coordinator of the national Latina Equal Pay campaign.
Latina leaders, including actresses Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, Karla Souza, Gina Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, Cristela Alonso, Kate del Castillo,Vannessa Vasquez and Natalia Cordova Buckley, along with Ramírez and other equal pay advocates such as Aileen Rizo sent a strong message that civic engagement and voting are necessary for guaranteeing equal pay. Labor leaders Dolores Huerta, Yanira Merino and Esther Lopez spoke out on Latina Equal Pay Day about the fact that political support for workers’ rights to collective bargaining and union representation are one of the most concrete ways that political leaders can level the playing field.
“This is an urgent situation. Latinas and their families are being cheated out of money that they need to live on,” said Emmy nominated actress Vasquez “Members of the public need to understand just how important their vote and why it is important to elect people who are going to take action to address issues like the gender pay gap.”
For many years advocates have tried to counter the narrative that the Latino community is a one issue community that is solely concerned about immigration. To help further this point, Latino influencers have lent their voices to highlight other critical matters that political leaders must address, including but not limited to education, healthcare, immigration, housing, voting rights, and workers’ rights.
While the Latino voter turnout was strong in 2016, advocates, organizers, and influencers are not leaving anything to chance. They have been working to coordinate efforts to get out the vote and educate the public about the issues. Influencers and advocates have also been explaining the mechanics around voting and what voters should do if they encounter any problems at the polling places that could potentially prevent them from exercising their right to vote.
“We take our responsibility very seriously to inform our followers and the public about the importance of civic engagement, including voting,” – comments Natalia Ochoa, actress and board secretary of NOSOTROS “It is important that members of the Latinx community become active participants in our democracy. We are modeling this by helping to get out the vote and encouraging people to get engaged.”
At the November 5th Nosotros, the oldest National Latino Arts Advocacy 501(c)3 non-profit in existence founded by Ricardo Montalban in 1970, the return of the Golden Eagle Awards, also founded by Montalban, there will be over 200 Latino/a influencers attending tonight’s awards gala. Monica Ramirez will speak and conduct a get out the vote text message action for all the guests in attendance. These civic engagement efforts are being co-hosted by Nosotros’ partners Voto Latino and Justice for Migrant Women.
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