PADUCAH — Women are losing more than $500 billion a year because of the gender pay gap, according the American Association of University Women.
The Power of the Purse event was one way the gap was addressed, which was hosted Tuesday by the United Way of Western Kentucky and Paducah Professional Women.
AAUW said this gap exists for every age group and widens over a woman's lifetime, but local groups are working to address the issue and raise money for women's organizations in a creative way.
The Power of the Purse event was one way the gap was addressed, which was hosted Tuesday by the United Way of Western Kentucky and Paducah Professional Women.
United Way of Kentucky partnered with Paducah Professional Women. "We want to highlight that discrepancy and put focus on the importance of women in. the workplace and the community," said Kelly Davis, the Chief Operations Officer with the United Way of Kentucky.
"I want to stop and tell you today each and everyone of you were born for more," said Tiffany Benberry, the president of Paducah Professional Women. Benberry addressed the gender pay gap to a room filled with more than 100 leaders in the community during Power of the Purse.
United Way of Kentucky partnered with Paducah Professional Women for the event.
"We want to highlight that discrepancy and put focus on the importance of women in the workplace and the community," said Kelly Davis, the Chief Operations Officer with the United Way of Western Kentucky.
The AAUW said women earn 16% less than men on average. Tammy Courtney is the vice president of Swift & Staley, an infrastructure support services contractor. She said having an event like this is important.
The AAUW said women earn 16% less than men on average. Tammy Courtney is the vice president of Swift & Staley, an infrastructure support services contractor. She said having an event like this is important.
"There's been a pay gap between men and women for quite some time and this event brings and sheds light on that fact and it helps people realize that and maybe helps businesses understand that they need to bridge that gap and that women are every bit as qualified as men and we should be paid accordingly," Courtney said.
Courtney has been going to Power of the Purse for around eight years, and said connecting with other women is key to helping alleviate the pay gap.
"Just come out and enjoy, talk to other ladies, learn from them, share those experiences, get takeaways from the keynote speaker and whether you win a purse or not, it's a wonderful event lifting up another women," Courtney said.
The event showcased different organizations and raised money by auctioning off purses from well-known and local brands, but at the end of the day, it was about empowering women and addressing pay discrepancies between men and women in the workplace.
Davis said the event raised about $40,000 total. This is the 10th annual year for Power of the Purse.
Several organizations attended Tuesday's event including Paducah Bank, Swift & Staley and Purple Toad Winery.
