Latest news with #AlmaAdams
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Black Women Cannot Afford to Wait 200 Years for Equal Pay
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. July 10 is Black Women's Equal Pay Day, marking how long a Black woman must work into 2025 to earn what a white man made in 2024. That's 19 months of labor a Black woman will have to work for only 12 months of pay. Proving the adage that, as Black women, "We must work twice as hard to get half as far." Black women working full-time, year-round make just 64 cents for every dollar a white man makes, and equally disappointing, the wage gap has only narrowed by 5 cents in the last two decades. At this rate, we won't reach pay equality until 2227—over 200 years from now. For millions of Black women across the country, this staggering wage inequality is nothing new. We know all too well the unpaid labor, workplace discrimination, and lack of opportunity we face that's keeping us from being paid what we're owed. Growing up, Representative Adams experienced that firsthand. Representative Alma Adams (D-N.C.) speaks during a House Education and Labor Committee Markup on the H.R. 582 Raise The Wage Act, in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 6, 2019, in Washington, D.C. Representative Alma Adams (D-N.C.) speaks during a House Education and Labor Committee Markup on the H.R. 582 Raise The Wage Act, in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 6, 2019, in Washington, Adams was raised by her mother who was a domestic worker, working tirelessly every single day to provide for her family. She cleaned other people's homes so her children wouldn't have to—so they could focus on going to school and getting an education. But day in and day out, no matter how hard she worked, she barely made enough for her family to get by. They struggled to put food on the table, to make rent, to pay the medical bills of Representative Adams' sister who suffered from sickle cell disease. Much like so many Black women in America, she was never paid what she was worth and was never given the opportunity to build a better life for herself. Occupational segregation is a significant roadblock to equal pay for Black women. We are overrepresented in underpaid but essential jobs such as child care workers, domestic workers, nursing aides, and social workers. Our country cannot survive without these careers, but their pay has never reflected that. But even when we enter higher-paying jobs we're underrepresented in, the wage gap persists, as Dr. Watson Ellerbe faced herself. Dr. Watson Ellerbe's parents prioritized education and set a powerful example—her father was an insurance agency manager and accountant, and her mother was a nurse. With their support, she pursued the American Dream, believing that through hard work and determination, she had an equal shot at success. But after earning three degrees and working her way up from an entry-level position to executive leadership, she discovered she was earning $30,000 less than her white male counterpart. When she raised the issue with leadership, nothing changed. Research confirms what her experience shows: Black women continue to face gender and racial discrimination at the bargaining table. This isn't about individual choices, it's a systemic issue. Despite us coming from different backgrounds and upbringings, we have both earned doctorates, rose in our careers, and achieved impressive leadership roles. We have also experienced wage discrimination firsthand. For Black women, there is no amount of time we can wait, no location we can reside, no amount of education we can achieve, nor a career ladder we can climb to achieve pay equity with white men. And this doesn't just impact us. It impacts our families for generations to come. Over the course of a 40-year career, a Black woman who works full-time throughout the year stands to lose over $1 million in earnings. That's $1 million less a Black woman must spend than a white man on child care, education, health care, food, housing, and building generational wealth for our children and grandchildren. As we watch critical programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) face unprecedented cuts, efforts to dismantle the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion—Black women face even further hurdles to make ends meet and overcome workplace barriers. It has been 62 years since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law but for Black women, pay equity is still centuries away for us—unless we act. We need to advance robust policies on the local, state, and federal levels that truly combat wage discrimination and ensure we can achieve what we've always been fighting for: equal pay for equal work. That can only happen if everyone gets involved. We need you to raise awareness—tell your colleagues, tell your community, tell your elected officials, and demand equal pay and better workplace policies. Learn more about solutions to this injustice and join us in the fight for true equality because we cannot afford to wait. Together, let's make Black Women's Equal Pay Day something to celebrate. Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District in Congress. A proud HBCU graduate and former educator of 40 years, Rep. Adams is co-chair of both the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus, as well as a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and House Education & Workforce Committee. Dr. Robyn Watson Ellerbe is a distinguished senior fellow at The Institute for Women's Policy Research where she leads Advancing Black Women in Leadership, an initiative addressing the systemic barriers Black women face in their leadership journey. Her work has also focused on addressing health disparities that disproportionately impact minority populations and advancing minority participation in the public health and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams encourages people to write officials on how gov. cuts are effecting them
CHARLOTTE () — Congresswoman Alma Adams told attendees of the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum that these are turbulent times in Mecklenburg County and across the nation. Adams also told the crowd she and other Democratic leaders are fighting, but they need help from the people. Adams started off the meeting by recognizing National Women's History Month, but cautioned those in the room and online that the current administration led by President Donald Trump is taking millions of dollars from Mecklenburg County residents. She said programs that provide free lunch to students have been cut and she is worried about the mass firings of government employees because many were providing services to constituents. Adams says other benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and veterans services are being targeted as well. Questions over county manager appointment lead to fiery discussion at Cabarrus meeting The Congresswoman said in January, she took an oath to uphold the constitution, and she has many concerns. But notes getting more people involved can call attention to some of the executive orders hurting people in her district. 'It doesn't seem like it, but I can tell you that if enough calls, if enough emails, tweets, texts, whatever it is that you do. That will get the attention,' said Adams. Congresswoman Adams did credit Governor Josh Stein, and NC Attorney General, Jeff Jackson for joining lawsuits that have been filed by other states. Adams added that she feels some of the legislation battles will be won in court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Under pressure, White House reinstates HBCU scholars program
The Trump administration has reopened applications for a federal scholarship that aids studying agriculture at historically Black universities after outcry from lawmakers over its abrupt suspension last week. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the federal 1890 National Scholars Program through its Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), put the program on hold last week 'pending further review,' but the program's USDA website was updated Tuesday to note that the application process has resumed. Eligible students can apply through March 15. USDA's OPPE said its review had been completed so applications were reopened. 'The application process was temporarily suspended pending review to ensure that the program, its mission and its metrics ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer resources,' a USDA spokesperson told The Hill. 'This review was completed late afternoon on [Monday].' The spokesperson added that the USDA has planned a public webinar next Tuesday for those who are interested in the program and other efforts to assist students with the application process. 'OPPE will continue to support applicants and selected scholars as they matriculate through the program,' the spokesperson said. The new administration, under President Trump's direct order, has sought to shutter many federal programs that are geared toward diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The HBCU scholars program, which was created in 1992, provides tuition and room and board for selected students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or related fields at 19 historically Black schools across the country. Ninety-four students received the scholarship last year. 'I'm pleased the Secretary has lifted the suspension of and reopened the application for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program,' Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) said in a statement on the reversal. 'This program has been in place since 1992, and I hope we can work together to address the real challenges and real opportunities for our 1890s and our HBCUs.' Adams is a founding member of the bipartisan HBCU caucus in Congress and a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, and she had been a vocal opponent of the proposed change. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) also had blasted the pause before its reversal. In a statement to The Hill after the program was reopened, Ossoff said he would continue to watch for other attempts at program changes that would affect HBCU funding. 'The Trump Administration should never have paused this funding in the first place,' he said. 'I will continue my oversight to ensure that Georgia HBCU students receive the support Congress directed to them.' Updated at 5:33 pm EST. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Congresswoman Alma Adams blasts Trump administration's suspension of 1890 Scholars Program
N.C. A&T University students on campus. (Photo: NC A&T University) Congresswoman Alma Adams issued a statement late last week criticizing the Trump administration's decision to suspend the 1890 Scholars Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Scholars Program was established in 1992 in partnership with USDA and the nation's 1890 land-grant universities, of which there are 16, including North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. The scholarship program's goal is to increase the number of students from rural and underserved communities who study food, agriculture, natural resource and other related sciences. It provides recipients with full tuition, fees, books, room and board. 'It is infuriating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended the 1890 Scholars Program 'pending further review,'' Adams said. 'This is a clear attack on an invaluable program that makes higher education accessible for everybody, and provides opportunities for students to work at USDA, especially in the critical fields of food safety, agriculture, and natural resources that Americans rely on every single day.' Scholars must attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The '1890s' schools were established or funded due to the 1890 Morrill Act, which was signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison. The goal was to expand the opportunities for people of color to access education, specifically in agriculture and mechanical arts. 'This program is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not an example of it,' Adams said. 'I demand USDA immediately rescind this targeted and mean-spirited suspension and reinstate the 1890 Scholars Program, for which the deadline for students to apply was originally March 1, 2025.' Jacqueline Torok, director of media relations for N.C. A&T, said the university currently has 20 scholars who 'will not experience any change in financial support.' The program has supported more than '100 high-achieving students' from rural and underserved communities studying agriculture, food, natural resources and related sciences at North Carolina A&T since it was established, Torok said. 'We are discussing this important program with the UNC System and our elected representatives and are hopeful that support will be fully restored in the near future,' she said. The '1890s' — as they are often referred to — also include: Delaware State University Florida A&M University Fort Valley State University, Georgia Kentucky State University Langston University, Oklahoma Lincoln University, Missouri Prairie View A&M University, Texas South Carolina State University Southern University, Louisiana Tennessee State University Tuskegee University, Alabama University of Arkansas Pine Bluff University of Maryland Eastern Shore Virginia State University West Virginia State University
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Agriculture Department suspends scholarships for students at historically Black colleges
Feb. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended its scholarship program for students at historically Black colleges and universities while reviewing the program. Meanwhile, the American Bar Association has suspended its diversity, equity and inclusion accreditation requirement for law schools through Aug. 31. The USDA web page for the program says, "The 1890 Scholars Program has been suspended pending further review." No other information is provided and the USDA did not respond to a request for comment made Saturday. The program "seeks to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences and related disciplines and provides recipients with full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board every year for up to four years," according to the USDA. The scholarship program is intended for 19 of the nation's designated 1890s land-grant universities and Tuskegee University, and in 2024 supported 94 students at a cost of $19 million, WTVF in Nashville, Tenn., reported. No information is available regarding the exact date that the USDA suspended the scholarship program or when the review period might end. One member of Congress denounced the suspension as denying opportunities for marginalized students. "This is a clear attack on an invaluable program that makes higher education accessible for everybody and provides opportunities for students to work at USDA, especially in the critical fields of food safety, agriculture and natural resources that Americans rely on every single day," Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., told WTVF. "This program is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system [and] not an example of it." USDA officials said all current students and others approved for the program are still being supported while it is under review. "USDA is optimizing operations and strengthening its ability to serve farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture community," a spokesperson told WTVF. "Like other programs within the Department, Secretary [Brooke] Rollins will continue to review the 1890 National Scholars Program, its mission, and its metrics to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer resources." American Bar Association The ABA is the only organization that the Education Department recognizes for law school accreditation in the United States and has suspended its DEI requirement to rewrite its Standard 206, which was titled "Diversity and Inclusion." The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar on Friday voted to suspend its law school accreditation standard due to the Trump administration's executive order mandating the end of DEI efforts and potential loss of funding from the U.S. Department of Education. "The committee's view is that with the executive orders and the law being in flux, it would be an extreme hardship for law schools if our standards were to require them to do certain things that may cause them to take more litigation risks and potentially violate the law," said Daniel Thies, chair-elect of the council and co-chair of its Strategic Review Committee. The council is developing a new draft of its standard, which could be presented to the ABA House of Delegates for consideration during the association's annual meeting in August. The ABA also will review the council's Standard 205, which is titled, "Non-Discrimination and Equality of Opportunity," and requires law schools to provide students with education related to cultural competence, racism and bias. The ABA did not suspend its Standard 205 accreditation requirement. The DEI-related changes are in response to the Trump administration banning DEI initiatives and all federal support for them. The Department of Education might end federal funding for colleges and universities that have DEI requirements or initiatives in place despite the federal ban.
