Advocates: Progress Still Needed in Oklahoma For Gender Equality

Female leaders spent Friday celebrating International Women's Day and the accomplishment made by women and girls. Although we have seen a lot of progress in Oklahoma, local leaders said the state has not come far enough.

"Right now Oklahoma is ranked the second worst city for women to live," Kristin Davis, the executive director of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition, said.

Davis said several statistics bring women down in our state. Oklahoma has the highest rate for incarcerated women, high domestic violence rates and is one of the worst when it comes to pay.

"We have so many talented and incredibly astute women who are out there doing amazing things and we should be paid equally as men. There's no reason why we shouldn't be," Davis said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in Oklahoma make only about $0.78 for every dollar a man makes, putting Oklahoma 12th worst in the nation. A new study by 24-7 Wall Street, ranks Tulsa the ninth worst city in the country for pay inequality.

Davis said it's a clear case of discrimination.

"That just does back to history. We have not overcome that barrier yet," she said.

The Coalition said a big part of getting equal pay for women is raising awareness of the issue. Davis also said women also need to become more self-assured when it comes to salary negotiations.

"In your individual job, in your career, I think women need to be more assertive. I think one common thread among women and girls is a lack of self esteem and not sensing your total value, what you can contribute, not just in your job, but to society," Davis said.

The Coalition has organized a series of educational forums for women. You can access that schedule on the Oklahoma Women's Coalition's website.

Posted: Saturday, March 30 2013, 05:37 PM CDT