Like many of you, I was both appalled and unsurprised by last week’s Supreme Court decision that says my freedom and autonomy matter less than a cis man’s. And like a lot of you, I have spent the time since then pondering what this means, both in the immediate future and in terms of other freedoms we may see eroding before our eyes.
And one of the things I have realized is that it is more important than ever for us to exercise the choices we do have in order to build a better future. Yes, this means doing things like voting and supporting candidates at home and in embattled states. But it also means owning our own worth and finding work that pays us accordingly.
Being paid well is one of the most empowering things we can do for ourselves. As many have pointed out, the Roe v. Wade reversal doesn’t mean there won’t be abortions; it means that poor and middle-class people won’t have access to safe abortions. That difference is key, and in the context of what I do, it means now is the best possible time to lean into your financial power. Women are still paid less for the same work than men, and trans folks and people of color are paid even less. This means we have less power across the board because we are rightly concerned with the immediate issues of keeping ourselves and our families fed and clothed.
But what if we stopped settling and demanded higher pay? Not everyone is in a place to do this, of course, but many of us are. We can research what our cis male counterparts are making, especially because salary discussions are legally protected. So have frank discussions about who is earning what. Research salary ranges for your role where you live through resources like Salary.com and Payscale.com. Keep track of your accomplishments and successes so you can make a compelling argument for higher pay.
If you want more info or you’re looking for a job, I recommend you take a salary negotiation class or workshop. Practicing money conversations and getting comfortable knowing your worth will help you really own your power.
Money is a powerful tool you can use for the greater good. With it, you can (and should!) advance yourself, of course, but you can also use it to lift others up. Now is not the time for us to be polite and quiet. Now is the time for us to be powerful and mighty.
