50 years after Equal Pay Act and we're still fighting for equal pay

Today marks 50 years since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law.  But in five decades we are still not making the same pay for doing the same job most men are doing.

This is happening in every profession, unless you own your own business.

Wise Latinas, we need to keep speaking out and speaking up to everyone who listens. Yes, in some cases it means setting up meetings with lawmakers, both state and federal and saying "enough is enough." Remember, they need our votes when they want to be elected or re-elected.

Yes, in some cases it means taking on Goliath when you know you've been treated unequal in pay and promotions at work. Yes, sometimes it means filing lawsuits so society will take notice, and for companies to take us seriously.

It takes sacrifice to fight for equal pay, but as women we have to stand firm. Someone has to say to our corporations that we are worth equal pay and often worth more in pay then the men who work with us.

We can't afford to let another 50 years go by and not get paid what we are worth.

Allure magazine puts Zoe Saldana's weight on cover; Does that really define a strong woman?

Photo Courtesy: Allure 

Allure magazine is getting a lot of heat for putting the weight of Zoe Saldana on the magazine's cover. Just in case you want to know, she weighs 115 pounds and is 5' 7" tall.

It was Allure's way of describing her "115 Pounds of Grit and Heartache."

There's no doubt that Allure meant this to be a positive cover.  But if they would have left her weight off the cover and just said "a woman of grit and heartache," the magazine would have accomplished the same message without the controversy.

Teenage girls and women are constantly bombarded with reminders that Hollywood prefers "skinny." When weight is an issue for many woman, especially Latinas---we don't need to remind people they are not thin enough?

Allure said on Facebook  "We were so impressed by what a tough, confident woman Saldana is...that we wanted to capture that."

Saldana defended the cover on the Today Show. She said "I think it would of been wrong if they were lying about my weight. " She added "I don't think it was to make an issue about my weight, I think it was to talk about for a light weight person I seem to be strong minded."

Photo Courtesy: Allure

There is no denying that Saldana is smart, beautiful and a very good actress. She is Dominican and Puerto Rican, but she told BET she doesn't like to talk about race. That's another story.

She told Today that she eats well and exercises. She also indicated in Allure that she is bisexual. Another topic for another day.

What is your opinion on the "weight" issue? Allure wants to hear from you on Facebook.  The magazine is getting a mix of comments.

Maybe weight isn't an issue for all women, but we have to be sensitive to those who struggle with it on a daily basis.