FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2024
City Media Contact: Stephanie Mkhlian
Email: SMkhlian@GlendaleCA.gov
Phone (818) 548-4424
Glendale Becomes 7th City to Take the CA Equal Pay Pledge
Glendale, CA – The City of Glendale joins the California Equal Pay Pledge as its 7th City. The California Equal Pay Pledge is an initiative to help close the pay gap in California led by the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the Office of the First Partner, in partnership with the California Partners Project.
On February 27th, the Glendale City Council voted unanimously to become a California Equal Pay Champion and directed staff to collaborate with the Commission on the Status of Women in the review and preparation of recommendations. On March 12th, then Councilmember and current Mayor Asatryan and the driving force behind this request, joined California First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, CA Commission on the Status of Women and the California Partners Project in recognizing CA Equal Pay Day and in the launch of the CA Equal Pay Playbook.
“The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is happy that the city of Glendale has made gender equity a priority and signed the Equal Pay Pledge,” said CCSWG Executive Director, Holly Martinez. “Committing to fairness through this pledge is only a first step but it is a critical one. We know from our recent research that women are essential to the California economy, and that simply closing the pay gap will help reduce poverty for working women. We are so proud to partner with cities like Glendale in creating a California economy that works for everyone!”
The gender pay gap disproportionately harms women. In the U.S., full-time female workers typically earn 84 cents for every dollar men make. In California, this gap persists across occupations and education levels. Black women lose $22,692 annually, Latinas $29,724, and Native women $28,797 per data from the National Women's Law Center.
“By adopting this pledge, Glendale becomes a model city in California and the nation, marking a significant step towards a brighter future for women, girls, and equity. It's crucial to address disparities faced by women and the added layered disparities for minority women and women of color. With only one hired female department head and only seven women elected to the City Council in the history of our Jewel City, it is evident change is needed and we must be intentional in this space. Prioritizing pay equity, dismantling biases and barriers, and reviewing internal practices not only empower women but also strengthen the economy, families, and society as a whole,” stated Mayor Asatryan.
For more information on #EqualPayCA, visit https://www.calpartnersproject.org/equal-pay-pledge and https://women.ca.gov/ and https://www.gov.ca.gov/first-partner/
For more information on #GlendaleCSW, visit: https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/city-clerk/boards-and-commissions/commission-on-the-status-of-women
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About Glendale
Known as the “Jewel City,” Glendale is the fourth largest city of Los Angeles County. With a population of more than 200,000, Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers nearly 50 public parks, and easy access to a municipal airport. It is the home to a vibrant business community, with major companies in healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, and banking.
About #EqualPayCA
#EqualPayCA, is an initiative led by the Office of the First Partner and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and is arming employers and employees alike with key tools and resources to close the pay gap.
