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'We Are Providing For Our Families' - Aileen Rizo Reflects On Her Fight For Equal Pay

Laura Tsutsui
/
Valley Public Radio
Aileen Rizo sued her former employer when she found out she was being paid less than a male collegue who had less education and experience. Now, she's using her experience to advocate for policies that increase workplace parity.

Today is Equal Pay Day, marking the fact that women are often paid less than men for the same job. Take this case in 2013: Aileen Rizo was working at the Fresno County Office of Education. She found out a male colleague with less education and experience was making more than she was. The reason? Her pay was based on her previous salary. Rizo ultimately filed suit under the Equal Pay Act and California’s sex discrimination statutes. That case is still making its way through the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Listen to the interview above to hear Rizo talk about why she decided to sue FCOE, and how some California laws have since changed to allow employees to talk openly about their salaries without fear of retaliation.

Laura Tsutsui was a reporter and producer for Valley Public Radio. She joined the station in 2017 as a news intern, and later worked as a production assistant and weekend host. Laura covered local issues ranging from politics to housing, and produced the weekly news program Valley Edition. She left the station in November 2020.