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Statement

Hiding, Or Refusing to Measure, Wage Discrimination Won’t Make It Go Away

July 23, 2026
Equal Pay

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of Ruth Martin, Senior Vice President and Chief Workplace Justice Officer of MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC’s) vote to end EEO-1 data collection, which measures the wage gap:

“The EEOC vote to stop EEO-1 data collection, which measures wage disparities in our country, is an absolute disgrace. It is a transparent attempt to hide the race- and gender-based wage discrimination that is causing so much harm to working moms, women, and people of color, and to families, communities, and our economy. But America’s moms will not be fooled. We know very well that hiding, or refusing to measure, wage discrimination won’t make it any less pervasive or painful. 

“This move is designed to undermine the EEOC’s ability to protect workers facing discrimination. We intend to fight back. MomsRising will encourage moms to speak out during the comment period, and we will work to convince more states to collect this data if the federal government abandons its work to root out wage discrimination. This is a sop to wealthy businesses that don’t want to report their progress, or lack thereof, in fair pay or promotions, and a complete distortion of the EEOC’s mission. 

“America’s moms will continue fighting for fair wages until our country finally eliminates the wage gap, once and for all.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, stop discrimination against women and moms, and build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: www.MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.