The Equal Pay Act of 1963 is a pivotal piece of legislation in the long fight for gender equality in the United States. Signed into law by President John F. Kennedy on June 10, 1963, as part of his progressive New Frontier Program, the act sought to abolish wage disparity based on sex.
Rooted in the post-war years, when women were pushed out of well-paying jobs to make way for returning servicemen, the struggle for pay equality gained momentum in the late 1950s.
The act mandated equal pay for equal work performed under similar conditions, irrespective of an employee’s sex. It was the first federally enforced law prohibiting sex-based wage discrimination and a significant step towards workplace equality. However, it initially applied only to a specific segment of labor, covering roughly 25 million workers.
While the act did not entirely eliminate wage disparities, it marked a critical shift in legislative attitudes towards gender equality. However, it revealed the need for stronger, more comprehensive laws to combat wage discrimination comprehensively. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 expanded upon this legislation, providing greater protection against employment discrimination.
Thus, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was a seminal moment in American history, underlining the nation’s commitment to gender equality and laying the groundwork for further legislation that continues to shape and influence our society today.
References:
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/equal-pay-act-1963
